Twelve Impossible Things Before Breakfast

November 1, 1997
Gr. 6^-9. Although 9 of the 12 fantasy stories in this collection have been published before, it is truly nice, as Yolen herself says, to have them together "under one roof." Yolen consistently writes fresh, off-the-wall stories that even children who don't normally read fantasy will enjoy. Some of the tales have elements of horror: "Mama Gone" concerns a boy whose deceased mother is a vampire; "The Baby-Sitter" is about a girl who must follow a ritualistic pattern of movements to placate the mysterious "them" who lurk behind closed doors. Some are sweetly tragic, such as "Bolundeers," in which a father saves his son from monsters. Others are twists on old stories: in "Lost Girls," a Peter Pan takeoff, a new Wendy raises the consciousness of other lost girls and foments rebellion in Neverland. Yolen's introduction and her final comments on the origins of each story add to the fun and provide wonderful insights into the writing process. ((Reviewed November 1, 1997))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1997, American Library Association.)

December 1, 1997
Gr 5-7-This solid collection of short stories is a good introduction to various types of fantasy. Three of the 12 pieces are new and the rest have been published in other compilations. There is something here for everyone-tales that are scary, gross, or fanciful. Some of the selections are reworkings of parts of children's classics, such as Alice in Wonderland (Alice learns how to be tough with the Jabberwock) and Peter Pan (Captain Hook is singing a new tune now that he is married to a modern-day feminist). "The Bridge's Complaint" puts a different spin on "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" by relating events from the bridge's point of view. The tales are set in different times-some in the past, some in the present, and some in the near or distant future. "Wilding" is a chilling futuristic look at New York City's Central Park, based on the gang violence that occurred there in the late 1980s. There's a story of a frightening sea monster, one about a fairy, and another about aliens; all will chill and delight the imagination.-Virginia Golodetz, St. Michael's College, Winooski, VT