Jay Williams

is the author of seventy-six books of fiction and non-fiction for adults and children. In addition to his fairy tales for young readers, he is perhaps best known for his popular science-fiction series, the Danny Dunn books; and, under the pen-name Michael Delving, he has written a number of crime novels for adults. Mr. Williams and his wife alternate between living in a village in Gloucestershire, England the scene of many of his thrillers-and their home in Newport, Rhode Island. His children’s books for Parents’ Magazine Press include The Cookie Tree, The King With Six Friends, School for Sillies, The Youngest Captain, A Bag Full of Nothing-and five of the tales in this collection.