Fairy tales speak to the heart. They are the foundation stories that embody darkness and light, good and evil, and use magic to convey essential truths. In Once Upon a Time in Oz, Griffith Review holds up an enchanted mirror to explore the role of fairy and folk tales across cultures in this country, and create new ones. How have the European tales transported in the nineteenth century affected Australian literature? What role do the legends of the Aboriginal Dreamtime, and the stories of Asia, South America, the Pacific and Africa, play in the Australian imagination? Is it wise to censor traditional stories for the good of children? How do the stories change, and why? Are fairy tales really only for children? Once Upon a Time in Oz presents new stories by renowned writers, and examines through essay and memoir some of the mysteries of storytelling.