The King Stag (Thomas/Redmond) -- Eberle Thomas, Paperback

The magician Norando's gift to the King of Serendippo almost leads to disaster when the evil Prime Minister uses it to impersonate the King, usurp his power, marry his betrothed - and turn the King himself into a stag! A living statue, a wise-cracking parrot, and a host of characters from commedia dell'arte join the action. Ultimately, the King's young bride sees through the Prime Minister's plot and returns her proper husband to the throne. A high-spirited romance enlivened by such colorful characters as the resourceful servant Truffaldino, the crotchety Pantalone, the boastful yet cowardly General Spavento, and the endlessly talkative Smeraldina, The King Stag is a delightfully fresh take on a theatrical classic from the authors of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.