Australian fairy tales

"Australian Fairy Tales" by Atha Westbury is a collection of enchanting stories written in the late 19th century. This anthology celebrates the unique characters and folklore of Australia, introducing readers to a variety of whimsical tales filled with adventure, magic, and moral lessons. The narratives prominently feature protagonists such as Samson the Nugget, who embarks on a fantastical journey in the story "Golden Cloud," discovering strange lands and overcoming challenges with the help of unusual companions. The opening of the book introduces readers to "Golden Cloud," a Christmas story where the main character, Samson the Nugget, finds himself in a magical world after being summoned by a giant named Grapple. As they explore this beautiful new land filled with wonders, Samson encounters various fantastical elements, including a mysterious crystal globe containing a princess, Silverhaze, and an ominous dwarf named Dusk. This beginning sets the stage for an adventure filled with mystique, camaraderie, and the clash between good and evil, showcasing Westbury's engaging storytelling that captures the imagination of readers young and old. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Frank Atha Westbury, who wrote under the pen names of "Atha" and "Atha Westbury", was a popular and prolific author of mystery adventure novels, children's stories and poetry in late 19th century Australia and New Zealand. Most of his fiction was serialised in newspapers and journals between 1879 and 1905. His two major works were: The Shadow of Hilton Fernbrook, A Romance of Maoriland (1896) and Australian Fairy Tales (1897), which won him a place as one of the better-known writers for children in Victorian-era Australia. Many of his novels were adventure romances set in New Zealand at the time of the New Zealand Wars of the 1860s, which the author experienced as a soldier in the British Army.