"In an era of "hot takes" and easy generalizations, this collection reclaims the absurdities and paradoxes of life as it is actually lived from the American fantasy of "niceness". In Macy's world, human desires and fatal blind spots slam headlong into convenient, social-media-driven narratives that would sort us into neat boxes of insider or outsider; good or bad; with us or against us. Time and again, whether at home or in the age-old role of Americans...

A poor husband and wife ask their rich neighbor to be godfather of their child, and once they are compadres, prey upon his pride and extravagance to trick him out of his fortune.

Two sisters live on either side of the Atlantic. They write each other letters over the years boasting about their lives. When a granddaughter decides to come visit in Ireland, the truth may be revealed.

When Six, a pink armadillo with nine green siblings, brags that he is "#1" in everything, his family expresses a different opinion.

A young man who desires to be great builds a tower higher than any pagoda so that people will look up to him.

Michael Strike is the star of his school soccer team, and he's got his eye on fellow soccer player and overachiever Miriah. When Miriah befriends a new student, Michael sees him as a rival.

"Much loved-fairy tales leap to life in this series of lively retellings. There's a surprise under each lift-up flap to add to the fun."--Cover back.