The Fairy Tale Book of Bifford C. Wellington

by T.A. Young

Birds become trees, and trees, birds; stars and old men change positions as easily as changing seats. Welcome to Todd 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 story, and a critical snail offends The Number Three. Brilliantly illustrated by Theodore Gallmeyer.

Todd Young, talking about these stories on Art Speak, said, "They have lessons in them, the more hidden, the better: that mistakes can be good things, the imperfect can be better than perfect, and that sometimes stupidity is better than smartness.Ted's cover? We have our knight, our diner, ther greatest frog ever...it's the middle of nowhere and the center of everywhere. The axis mundi. Perhaps our man Wellington is like the knight, the weary, endless world traveller who finds respite in a diner in the middle of the desert. Yes, he also appears in my second book, Elephant and Rabbit As Told By Skib Bricluster...will there be a third book? Yup. It's a trilogy, so stay tuned."

164 pages, Paperback

Published July 27, 2017

About the author

T.A. Young likes nothing better than to be mistaken for one of his fictitious authors. If you want to know about the real T.A., read Elephant and Rabbit As Told By Skib Bricluster. T. may answer to "Skib," but we know he's Rabbit.

Reviews

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is very difficult for me to review. I mostly loved it but, there were parts that didn't appeal to me at all. I generally do not read this type of book but it certainly drew me in. I would say it is a cross between Brothers Grimm and Louis Caroll. If you are a logophile, you will love this book. I had to dig out my dictionary several times, something I haven't had to do for awhile. I found I rather enjoyed it.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book in a giveaway that I entered randomly.

This book didn't have me laughing like I thought it would from my impression reading the preface (which got 3 good giggle fits from me) but it's still a delightful read. The stories really do feel like *fairytales*... most complete with little Aesops (most of which make sense). And it's even illustrated! :3