Did you ever wonder what happened to the seven dwarfs after Snow White ditched them, or what life was like for the giant in "Jack and the Beanstalk?" Can you imagine a wicked stepsister who really gets what she deserves, and a Cinderella who isn't dainty, but actually rather plump? Then this is the book for you.
All the fairy tales you've heard over and over again are revisted here, made new by award-winning fantasy and science fiction authors: Garth Nix tells a twisted new version of "Hansel and Gretel," Nancy Farmer shows us what life was like for the princess's magical horse, Gregory Maguire provides a side of the seven dwarfs you've never seen, and Neil Gaiman lays out the "Instructions" that fairy tales should have taught you. In all, thirteen new stories are born from old fairy tales, some disturbing and dark, others strange and funny, but each offering something original and unexpected -- and as surprising as a wolf at the door.

<B>Ellen Datlow</B> has edited and coedited many anthologies, including <I>Snow White, Blood Red</I> (with Terri Windling) and <I>The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror</I> annual volumes (also with Terri Windling). She has won five World Fantasy Awards for her editing. Ellen lives in Manhattan's Greenwich Village with two demanding but terrific calico cats. Her favorite fairy tale is "The Goose Girl," but she always felt sorry that Falada lost her head (and she is so glad that in Nancy Farmer's version she doesn't).

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<Font size="+1"><B>Contents</B></Font>
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<B>Introduction</B>
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<B>The Months of Manhattan</B>
<BR>
<I>Delia Sherman</I>
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<B>Cinder Elephant</B>
<BR>
<I>Jane Yolen</I>
<P>
<B>Instructions</B>
<BR>
<I>Neil Gaiman</I>
<P>
<B>Mrs. Big: "Jack and the Beanstalk" Retold</B>
<BR>
<I>Michael Cadnum</I>
<P>
<B>Falada: The Goose Girl's Horse</B>
<BR>
<I>Nancy Farmer</I>
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<B>A Wolf at the Door</B>
<BR>
<I>Tanith Lee</I>
<P>
<B>Ali Baba and the Forty Aliens</B>
<BR>
<I>Janeen Webb</I>
<P>
<B>Swans</B>
<BR>
<I>Kelly Link</I>
<P>
<B>The Kingdom of Melting Glances</B>
<BR>
<I>Katherine Vaz</I>
<P>
<B>Hansel's Eyes</B>
<BR>
<I>Garth Nix</I>
<P>
<B>Becoming Charise</B>
<BR>
<I>Kathe Koja</I>
<P>
<B>The Seven Stage a Comeback</B>
<BR>
<I>Gregory Maguire</I>
<P>
<B>The Twelve Dancing Princesses</B>
<BR>
<I>Patricia A. McKillip</I>