Daniel Udo de Haes (1899-1986) was born in Bali and studied in the Netherlands. He taught in a Steiner-Waldorf school then worked until his retirement as a teacher in an anthroposophical institute for children with special needs, in Zeist. After his retirement, he wrote a series of educational books for parents and teachers. Barbara Mees is a translator living in the Netherlands.

'Drawing clear analogies between the child's journey into the school-age years and the truths and lessons in fairy tale language. Daniel Udo de Haes's discussion brings educators and parents new understanding to the ways in which well-told fairy tales prevent ''impoverishment through the loss of something that should still be a reality: the spiritual world in which the child should still be living.'' A modern classic for professional development and parent education.'-- Kindling