Jane Yolen vividly remembers two children’s books: The Story of Ferdinand (which has withstood the test of time) and The Pleasant Pirate (not so much).

Her son and occasional co-author Adam Stemple claims to have repressed all bedtime story memories. According to his mother they sang many a ballad and folksong together. As a direct result, Adam often played “highwayman” on the playground, accosting peers and siblings with “Stand and deliver, for I am a bold deceiver!“