The Library
of Alexandria
7 h 16 minAudiobook3 minSummaryRead it, hear it, the 15-minute summary, and print and large print at cost
StandardLarge printLarge print · bigger, clearer type
The Turquoise Story Book, paperbackPaperback · 6 × 9 in · printing soon
The Turquoise Story Book, hardcoverHardcover · 6 × 9 in · printing soon
About this book

Summer has stories to tell—about nature, living things, and the wonder waiting in a quiet hour.

The Turquoise Story Book gathers stories, myths and legends for young readers around summer and the natural world. Compiled by Ada M. Skinner and Eleanor L. Skinner, it offers short tales rather than one long plot. Each tale fits a single sitting, leaving room to pause, talk, or simply enjoy the story together.

Summer, nature and living things give this collection its focus. Its mix of old tales invites young readers to explore the world through imagination, with space for kindness, patience and wonder. For adults reading at home or in the classroom, the short pieces offer a gentle way to share stories without rushing through them.

What you’ll discover

  • Summer and the living world Explore a collection that brings summer and nature into the heart of story time.
  • Stories, myths and legends Enjoy different kinds of old tales gathered together for young readers.
  • A tale in one sitting Choose a short story that fits the time you have to share.
  • Room for quiet wonder Make space for imagination, kindness and patience through a gentle encounter with stories.
  • Words to share aloud Bring adults and children together over tales suited to home or classroom reading.

Who will love it

For parents, teachers and grandparents who love short tales to read aloud, and young readers who enjoy nature, myths and legends. These summer stories invite wonder at the living world.

What’s inside

The key ideas, in the 15-minute summary

  1. A book made for reading aloud
  2. Stories drawn from many sources
  3. Nature and the living world
  4. What young readers can take from it

Read the first key idea free

Formats and delivery
eBook
On your phone, tablet, computer or Kindle, with the type as large as you like.
Large-print eBook
The same book in bigger, clearer type, from the first page.
Audiobook
7 h 16 min, complete, read by Lucas Linden.
15-minute summary
The key ideas in about 3 minutes, to read or to hear.
Paperback
6 × 9 in. Printing soon: leave your email under Paperback or Hardcover above.
Hardcover
6 × 9 in. Printing soon: leave your email under Paperback or Hardcover above.
Large print paperback
8.5 × 11 in. Printing soon: leave your email under Paperback or Hardcover above.
Large print hardcover
8.5 × 11 in. Printing soon: leave your email under Paperback or Hardcover above.

eBooks and audiobooks open right away. Download EPUB or PDF, or send the book to your Kindle. Every printed copy is made when you order it and shipped worldwide; shipping is shown at checkout.

How it works
  1. Start free. Nothing to pay today; the eBook of this book is yours to keep.
  2. Read, listen and print. 200,000+ classics as eBook, large-print eBook, audiobook and 15-minute summary, and any book printed at cost as a paperback, hardcover or large print, 5 accounts for the price of one.
  3. We remind you first. Free for 3 months, and we email you 7 days before your first payment. Then USD 0.14 a day in your first year on the yearly plan and USD 0.27 a day after, or USD 0.66 a day on the monthly plan. Cancel online in two clicks.

Bought on its own? Every eBook, audiobook and printed book you buy without the plan carries our 30-day money-back guarantee.

Start the yearly plan free · Start the monthly plan free

25 languages, side by side

Read and hear The Turquoise Story Book in 25 languages and switch at any time. Or read two side by side, paragraph by paragraph: the way to learn a language with a book you love.

Children's Classics

The Turquoise Story Book

by Ada M. Skinner; Eleanor L. Skinner

Summer myths and legends invite young readers to look at nature and living things with wonder.

Easy read5–10 hours to read25 languages

Excellent

  • Read or listen
  • 25 languages, side by side
  • Print and large print at cost
  • 5 accounts for the price of one
Format: eBook
Type size: Standard

Free for 3 months · starts right away, on any device

Read free3 months free · cancel anytime

Free for 3 months, then USD 0.14 a dayCancel anytimeHow it works

We accept Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Shop Pay.

In short

The Turquoise Story Book is a collection of stories, myths and legends for young readers, gathered by Ada M. Skinner and Eleanor L.

The Turquoise Story Book by Ada M. Skinner; Eleanor L. Skinner, the cover

From the 15-minute summary · Key idea 1

A book made for reading aloud

Anthologies of this kind were put together for children and for the adults who read to them. The tales are short, so a reader can finish one in a single sitting. That makes them easy to share at bedtime or in a classroom.

Read every key idea free

Free for 3 months · Cancel anytime

Free gifts

USD 580 in free gifts when you start

Every book in every format and in 25 languages, 5 accounts for the price of one. Nothing to pay today.

Try 3 months freeFree for 3 months · Renews every year · Cancel anytime
  • 200,000+ classic eBooksIn 25 languages, side by sideUSD 170FREE
  • Every audiobookIn 25 languages, any deviceUSD 120FREE
  • 15-minute summariesRead or listen, in 25 languagesUSD 60FREE
  • Print at cost, no markupPaperback, hardcover, large printUSD 60FREE
  • 5 accounts for the price of oneA shelf for everyone at homeUSD 170FREE
  • A part in rebuilding the libraryNew languages and books for allFREE

Questions about The Turquoise Story Book

Can I read it free?

Yes. The first key idea of the 15-minute summary is free with no sign-up. Start free and the whole book is yours for 3 months, with the eBook to keep, plus 200,000+ more classics and any book printed at cost as a paperback, hardcover or large print. Nothing to pay today: we email you 7 days before your first payment, and you can cancel online in two clicks.

Can I buy the printed book?

Soon. The paperback, hardcover and large print editions are being prepared. Choose Paperback or Hardcover above, leave your email, and we tell you the day you can order it, printed at cost.

How many accounts do I get?

Five, for the price of one: you and 4 more people, each with their own login, shelf and their own place in every book.

Can I cancel anytime?

Yes. Cancel online in two clicks at any time and nothing more is charged. Nothing is charged in your first 3 months, and we email you 7 days before your first payment.

What is The Turquoise Story Book about?

It is a collection of short stories, myths and legends for young readers, centred on summer, nature and the living world. The tales are meant to be read aloud and enjoyed in short sittings.

Who wrote The Turquoise Story Book?

It was compiled by Ada M. Skinner and Eleanor L. Skinner, who put together children's anthologies in the early twentieth century for use in homes and classrooms.

Is The Turquoise Story Book for children?

Yes. It is written for young readers and works well as a read-aloud book. Adults who enjoy old tales and simple nature stories may also like it.

The author

Ada M. Skinner

1871–1960 · Anglo-American children's writer

Ada M. Skinner was an Anglo-American children’s writer, teacher and magazine editor. She was born in 1871 and died in 1960. Her books included The Turquoise Story Book. Alongside her writing for children, she worked in teaching and magazine editing.

More by Ada M. Skinner; Eleanor L. Skinner

All 2 books

More like this

Our mission

The library burned once. We are building it back.

Every great book, in every language and every format, for every family. Every plan helps pay for new languages, new audiobooks and books for readers who have never had them. Join the movement.

Read our story
  • Every language25 languages today, side by side, and more every year
  • No wastePrinted on demand: no warehouses, no unsold stock, no pulped copies
  • For everyonePaperback, hardcover and large print at the cost of printing

Popular in children's classics

See all
The Turquoise Story BookFree for 3 months · nothing to pay today
Read free