American Fairy Tales by L. Frank Baum, the creator of Oz, is exactly what its title describes. The European fairy tale tradition is so strong that few associate “fairy tale” with American stories and storytellers, despite the rich and enduring output of their most successful creator, L. Frank Baum. Most are familiar with “tall tales” and characters like Paul Bunyan and John Henry — these are of course fairy tales as well, of a peculiarly American stamp. But just as Alice fell down the rabbit hole chasing after the White Rabbit, so were Dorothy and Toto carried from their Kansas farm by the Tornada. With stories ranging from “The King of the Polar Bears” to “The Capture of Father Time,” this book is bound to please readers of all ages.