Mary Eliza Isabella Frere (1845–1911) was an English author of works regarding India. She is most famous for her beautiful retellings of Indian fairy tales.

"Punchkin" is a traditional fairy tale about a Rajah with seven daughters. When he remarries, the princesses' stepmother is determined to do away with the girls and make her own daughter the heir to the throne. A series of adventures and trials follows which leads to the overthrow of an evil magician.