Zenna Henderson was a schoolteacher – right here in Arizona, in fact.  She obviously loved children – almost all of her stories are about children.  Mostly I've loved her for the tender and loving stories of her People.  But this collection is a bit of everything with only a single new story of The People; but, it's not a loss – these stories are just plain marvelous.

There are several with children but not all.  Sometimes there is a hint of science fiction; usually something inexplicable.  There are angels in one.  End-of-the-world for another.  A couple deal with mental illness although it isn't explained or cured; more about what it's like to be afflicted.  One was just plain funny.  Oh, right…aliens, too.  And time travel…sort of.  And two about the wisdom of elders or maybe it's just their eccentricities – I loved both of those so much.

Henderson's voice is so singular; authoritative when necessary, tender when needed, and full of wonder for the unexplainable.

I don't know if there are readers out there who would enjoy the folksy, even old-fashioned flavor of these; but I do wish Henderson's books were still in print.  And most of them – miraculously! – stand the test of time; most of the stories could happen right now.  Her stories are a comfort to this reader; sometimes challenging my imagination, sometimes just reassuring that people are still people no matter the era, and sometimes they are just lovely.   ~~ Catherine Book

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