Four tales of fantasy from a twentieth-century literary master—selected as the 1975 New York Times Outstanding Book for Children
John Gardner's first children's book takes the traditional fairy tale and turns it on its head. In the title story, a meddlesome dragon meets his match. "The Tailor and the Giant" tells the story of a cowardly man who finally faces his fears. A villainous beast of burden attempts to rid himself of his master in "The Miller's Mule." And in "The Last Piece of Light," a brave young chimney-sweep saves the world from darkness.
John Gardner (1933–1982) was born in Batavia, New York. His critically acclaimed books include the novels Grendel, The Sunlight Dialogues, and October Light, for which he received the National Book Critics Circle Award, as well as several works of nonfiction and criticism such as On Becoming a Novelist. He is also the author of four books for children. He was a professor of medieval literature and a pioneering creative writing teacher whose students included Raymond Carver and Charles Johnson.