Iran has mountains striped with snow, dense forests where bears and lynxes still roam, deserts, bazaars... but above all it has stories - of fairies and demons, of a monstrous metal eagle called the okab, of romantic cockroaches and foolish weavers.

During her travels, Elizabeth Laird has gathered a wealth of stories, and here she retells, in her own inimitable style, some of Iran's best, with delightfully offbeat illustrations from Shirin Adl. The award-winning author's travels in Iran give authenticity to the vivid collection of animal/trickster tales and enchanted legends.