Arguably the most famous and beloved of Oscar Wilde's nine fairy tales,
this particular rendition stands apart from the others due to its
brilliant illustrations by a master of comic art. After dying young, the
Happy Prince's soul inhabits a beautiful ruby-encrusted statue covered
in gold leaf which is perched high above the city. But when he sees the
poverty, misery and desperateness of his people, he enlists the help of
a barn swallow to remove the gilding of his statue and shower the riches
on his people. In the spring, the townspeople are saved, but find only a
stripped down and dull statue alongside a dead swallow. The remains are
tossed into an ash heap, but an emissary of God recognizes their
sacrifice, and escorts them into the gardens of Heaven. Perfect for
middle school students as an introduction to the world-famous author,
the dazzling illustrations in this book suit the timeless writings of
Wilde.