The familiar cast of characters in this handsomely illustrated volume includes kings, princesses, a greedy giant, a penniless gardener and a foolishly lovesick student. Six fable-like stories, first published in 1888, exhibit flashes of the prolific Wilde's wry humor--together with an occasional dollop of moralizing. In "The Selfish Giant," an innocent boy who shows the ogre the error of his ways turns out to be the Christ Child claiming him for Heaven; while "The Devoted Friend" celebrates the cleverness of a linnet. The arresting poignancy of "The Nightingale and the Rose," with its lament for the sacrifices of misguided love, cannot fail to captivate. Strangely ill-suited to this collection is "The Remarkable Rocket," a tiresome tale of bickering fireworks that strains even the most fertile of imaginations. Ranging from somber nightscapes to lively fantasies, Lynch's ( Melisande ) elegant paintings perfectly capture the variety of moods in these resonant fictions--ideal for read-aloud enjoyment. Ages 5-up.