CHARLEY SANG A SONG

There is strong evidence that the seeds of surrealism are to be found in the fairy tale. This is supporting proof from one of youngest tale-tellers. [(ays pere took down the stories included here from Hays fils, when he was an articulate three-year-old. It starts with Charlie meeting a winged pig who gave him a ride and set Charlie searching for wings of his own. Once acquired, the wings stay the final trek home. There is a degree of consistency here from which adult authors writing for children might profit. When young Hays animates a park full of benches, irritation who is balanced out by the good gweedle, his nemesis. Charlie's tremendous sang-froid is demonstrated in a dialogue free from exclamation points -- talking birds, beasts and monsters are accepted and addressed without a quiver. The illustrations of Uri Shelevitz are faithful to the storyteller's intent, full of the charm of the miniature and reflect the insouciance of, their hero. An interesting glimpse into a creative child mind.