Yarns for Our Youth

That is what is particularly fascinating about this anthology - the authors of the stories had a chance to immerse themselves in fantastic worlds of imagination and adventure on this planet, under the water, in outer space, just about anywhere where kids of any age will dream of being, "from one to ninety-two," as the delightful Christmas classic would put it (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire, Torme and Wells, 1946). And how is it that the authors in these pages can do that more easily here than perhaps elsewhere? Because all of us are emotionally vested in the main characters, who might be our kids, grandkids, nephews, nieces, in short, family (typically up to ten-year olds) - a wonderful legacy. -John C. Mannone.