Tale of a One-Way Street and Other Stories — Joan Aiken

We are taken to peculiar lands where all the magical things that only seem to happen in dreams really do happen. We meet strange creatures by going the wrong way up a one-way street. We learn about what a peculiar muddle your presents can get into when your birthday cake is baked with a wishing spoon. And if you manage to save the king of grasshoppers from drowning in your soup, what wonderful rewards may come your way!