ROALD DAHL the celebrated author of short stories for adults and some of the most widely read children's books ever written, now gives us his first collection of short stories for readers of all ages.

Those who were raised on such imaginative fare as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach, as well as admirers of Kiss Kiss and Switch Bitch, will be well prepared for the surprises these stories hold—their sudden turns of wit and wisdom, unforgettable characters and amazing situations where the unexpected has to be expected.

The alarming actions of a compassion- ate child confound all in "The Boy Who Talked with Animals." The very crafty hero of "The Hitchhiker" proves to be a man who knows his trade. In "The Mildenhall Treasure" a dig into the past exposes a darker side of human nature. "The Swan" is, quite simply, a tale of human visciousness, excrutiatingly believable though the characters are but children. The power of yoga works wonders in "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar," an astounding, eye-opening tale.

"Lucky Break" and "A Piece of Cake," which conclude this collection, offer a fascinating glimpse into Roald Dahl's beginnings as a writer. After giving solid evidence (including scathing school report cards) that he would never succeed as a writer, he tells of the "lucky break" that led to the publication of his first story, "A Piece of Cake."

Together, these seven stories, coming not only from Roald Dahl's imagination but from his life as well, are a rich sampling of his storytelling genius.