A charm is a magic spell worked with the use of an amulet, bringing about either good or ill. A changeling in fairy tales is much rarer. It is a horrid little fairy creature mischievously exchanged for a look-alike human child. Pity the one who has to try and get the real child back!

In this collection, Ruth Manning-Sanders engagingly includes tales of each. A piece of amber fills up a wine jug as soon as it is emptied, a bridle can turn anything into anything, a cap can make the wearer invisible! As for changelings, there are beautiful maidens, and a raven - and more.

Ruth Manning-Sanders conjured up a strange and exciting world in these tales which Robin Jacques captures so well in his fine illustrations.