A devilish inventor, a girl who must face a Fire Fiend, a scarecrow brought to life by a bolt of lightning, and a boy who can only say the words 'I Was a Rat!' . . .Drawing on the rich tradition of fairytales, these are four incredible stories that will obsess and enchant readers. Includes a prologue and epilogue from the uniquely talented Philip Pullman, author of His Dark Materials.'Exciting, scary, romantic and deliciously readable' Guardian.'Full of hilarious, loveable characters' Sunday Times.