Birds become trees, and trees, birds; stars and old men change positions as easily as changing seats.

Welcome to T. A. Young's collection of stories in which existence is redefined, and contradictions are the theme. The usual hierarchy of fairy tale characters is gone - all have their say, and we relish the words equally for their wisdom and silliness. Lyrical and comical, The Fairy Tale Book of Bifford C. Wellington is at once hilarious and profound. Among the tales: an aardvark has an accidental encounter with a seamstress, Horace the Frog heads west to find his...