Unlike traditional fairy tales, this beautifully written fantasy [Tom's Midnight Garden] does not depend on supernatural performance to turn the trick. Rather, it is the magic of the characters' personalities and of the mysterious movement in time that lifts this story beyond the usual time and dream fantasies in children's literature. (p. 270)

Philippa Pearce's particular contribution to this fantastic adventure in time is in the way she makes her characters come alive with natural dialogue, colloquial at times, but breezy and clear-cut. Tinged with poetry, the beautiful narrative is firmly rooted in reality and presented in probable terms. (p. 271)

Constantine Georgiou, "Fantasy in Children's Literature," in his Children and Their Literature (© 1969 by Prentice-Hall, Inc.; reprinted by permission of Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey), Prentice-Hall, 1969, pp. 241-302.∗