The Faery Flag: Stories and Poems of Fantasy and the Supernatural

The rhythmic voice in this collection of nine stories and six poems is unmistakably that of a master storyteller and poet. ``Once upon a time. . . ,'' says the narrator of the first poem, and the reader is transported immediately into realms where words, like the faery flag of Dunvegan Castle, are ``as true and warming as you let them be.'' The works are varied and polished; particularly satisfying are the touching soliloquy from Beauty upon the occasion of her first anniversary with the Beast; ``The Face in the Cloth,'' a haunting tale of desire; and ``Happy Dens or A Day in the Old Wolves' Home,'' a clever story about Nurse Lamb's encounters with familiar wolf tales, told this time from the wolves' point of view. Yolen's words are strong and true, convincing the reader that ``all the world's magic comes directly from the mouth.'' Text decorations not seen by PW. Ages 10-up. (Sept.)