Though these stories are only 35 years old, they feel 135. Yolen has captured that particular flavor of language and rhythm that makes me think of the 19th century story tellers, with all their sense that the entire world is alive and humming with possibility. One of my favorite opening lines, "Far, far to the East, before the sun had settled firmly on a route, there lived a giant who walked at night," could have come from a translation of Perrault, Andersen or the Grimm brothers.

And, yet, they do not feel like warmed-over retellings of stories we heard as children. Each of the five tales has something new to say to us about happiness or pride or common sense.

David Palladini's illustrations are beautiful, particularly the many full-color plates. Sadly, the book appears to be out of print right now, so you'll need to hunt it down in your favorite used book shops. ( )

Although published as a children's book, there is nothing childish about this collection of original fairy tales. Jane Yolen has a gift of capturing the feel and language of ancient folk tales and myths. My favourite is "The Lad Who Stared Everyone Down," although the title story was also hauntingly fine. The illustrations are clearly 20th century, but with just the right touch of timelessness and history. ( )