A Wizard’s Dozen edited by Michael Stearns is an anthology of thirteen children’s fantasy stories. It includes Efrum’s Marbles by Joy Oestreicher and The Princess Who Kicked Butt by Will Shetterly.

                        

A sample of the collection:

Efrum’s Marbles by Joy Oestreicher. A story about a happy, but cursed giant, and how love

expands his horizons and awakens him to new things.

The Princess Who Kicked Butt by Will Shetterly. A story about destiny. When the “Fairy Who Was Good with Names” told the queen, her daughter would be called, “the Princess Who Kicked Butt.” The Queen decided to call her instead, “the Princess who Read Books.” The fairy was correct.

Harlyn’s Fairy by Jane Yolen. A story about a girl who befriends a fairy in her backyard but had the good sense not to tell her doubting aunt about it.

The Sixty-two Curses of Caliph Arenschadd by Patricia C. Wrede. A story of a fearless girl who befriends a boy (“nearsighted and sort of pudgy—just the kind of kid that gets picked on all the time”), and a bumbling Caliph who casts silly curses. Note: this was in a time where Caliphs could be subject of humor.

Fairy Dust by Charles De Lint. A story of a girl who doesn’t stop her friend from capturing a fairy. She learns her lesson. “If I ever see someone doing something, I know is wrong again, I promise I won’t just stand by and watch.”

If you would like a short story collection for a young reader, or nighttime stories for a child beyond picture books, this is an excellent choice.

Check out https://amazon.com/shop/influencer-20171115075 for book recommendations.