The Tales from Silver Lands are stories of hope and optimism. They recall a golden age and assure the reader that times of peace, gentleness, and kindness are" still possible. They address questions such as what the source of evil in the world is, and whether there is any possibility that good will ultimately triumph. The stories also treat the order and beauty of nature, the dangers of illusion and wishes, and the necessity of facing challenges with courage and creativity. Several of the stories are explanations of why certain animals look or act as they do.

Although most of the tales in Tales from Silver Lands have their own unique characters, there are many similarities among them. Each story, with the ex ception of "The Humming-Bird and the Flower," has a child or youth as one of the main characters. These children frequently...