It wouldn't be out of line to call this book a great world of pretend. It is actually eight short stories that are clever and magical, as well as frightening at times.

For example, a fierce dragon crawls out of the dungeons of a castle and seems to be aiming at eating an entire nearby village. The wild beast frightens a poor blacksmith who has the sense and ability to trick the ferocious animal and save the town and its people.

One of the classic tales tells of a princess who has a heart of gold which gives her immunity to being eaten by any attacking dragon. You'll learn about Elfin, a clever pig keeper who wins the heart of the lovely princess.

The storyteller, Edith Nesbit, was born in 1858 in what is now Greater London. She had the imaginative foresight to concoct tales that often found her called the creator of modern children's fantasy. Her imagination attracted children of her time and involved them in what seemed to be a real world filled with unexpected adventures.

Her powers of invention brought us the magical stories we're about to hear.