Customer Reviews

Once upon A Time (She Said)

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Jane Yolen has written a large number of books, but I have read just this one, and I am very impressed. This specific volume was reviewed and recommended in Analog Science Fiction and Science Fact, so naturally I put it on my wish list but forgot about it, and was then surprised and rewarded at Christmas by one of my daughters. What a treasure! You can't know what I mean until you read it yourself.

This work is a collection of short stories and shorter poems, mostly (I believe) not exactly composed by Ms Yolen but (more accurately) retold wonderfully. They are folk tales spoken clearly with all their original power and purpose.

Just one example: Disney made a cute animated cartoon movie out of one version of the Cinderella tale, but in the process of financially rescuing his studio he robbed the poor girl of her best qualities. Jane Yolen resurrects her properly and sweetly as a strong woman of real character, as she has been celebrated in many cultures over the world for centuries.

I found myself nodding over the "rightness" of the ending for each story Jane told, and many times smiling as well over the twist she gave (or preserved for) it. I think all parents would appreciate the tales for themselves and will want to read them aloud to their children, even if they ARE told as to adults. Children need vocabulary growth sometime, after all. This is a very good way to lead them into life.