This book strikes a new note in literature. It is a realistic romanceof the folk of the forest--a romance of the alliance of peace betweena pioneer's daughter in the depths of the ancient wood and the wildbeasts who felt her spell and became her friends. It is not fanciful,with talking beasts; nor is it merely an exquisite idyl of the beaststhemselves. It is an actual romance, in which the animal charactersplay their parts as naturally as do the human. The atmosphere of thebook is enchanting. The reader feels the undulating, whimpering musicof the forest, the power of the shady silences, the dignity of thebeasts who live closest to the heart of the wood.