Spells-a-popping Granny’s Shopping

Text: Tracey Corderoy

Illustrator: Joe Berger

Year: 2013

Publisher: Nosy Crow, London

Age: 6 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 0 85763 221 0

Tracey Corderoy’s distinctive lyrical prose takes us through the shopping adventure of a little girl and her granny who's ‘different.’

At the supermarket, Granny waves her wand and biscuits dance while popcorn pops. In just a few minutes, mayhem rules. However, Granny also helps to nab a couple of crooks and soon everyone’s ready to forgive Granny for her, errr… differences. :-)

Excerpt

Now Granny magicked animals off boxes, jars and tins.

Small yappy dogs and guinea pigs and cats with Cheshire grins.

The Magic Treacle Jug

Author: Enid Blyton

Illustrator: Pam Storey

For Ages: 5 and above

No. of Pages: 20

Publisher: Grandreams Books, UK

Year: 2002

ISBN: 978-0-75540-907-5

Meet sneaky Miggle doing what he ought not to – peering through somebody’s window. When the window belongs to Mother Tick-Tock’s home, it can only spell a lot of trouble. Poor Miggle, gets into one sticky mess after another until he admits his mistake to Mother Tick Tock who then sets things right but not without extracting a punishment.  

Excerpt

Mother Tick-Tock, coming back from visiting her friend, was astonished too. But she knew in a trice what had happened.

“Miggle’s borrowed my Treacle-Jug!” she said. “I saw him peeping through the window when I used it the other night. The mean, thieving little fellow!”

The Burglar’s Breakfast

Author: Felicity Everett, adapted by Lesley Sims

Illustrator: Christyan Fox

For Ages: 6 and above

No. of Pages: 48

Publisher: Usborne Publishing, England

Year: 2002

ISBN: 978 0 79450 221 8

You’ll love Alfie Briggs, the burglar, who, ummm… is the protagonist of this sweet tale of a life of crime, remorse and redemption. Narrated simply and with lots of humor, this tale will delight your little one. Like all Usborne Young Reading Series, clever illustrations add to the story besides providing significant clues to the next part of the story.

For parents who are concerned about the moral implications of a burglar’s story, like I was, I suggest that they read it first. If you still feel uncomfortable, it’s better to stay away from the book. However, I thought it gave my children the chance to see that people changed for the better and yes, the “lived-happily-ever-after” toned ending should help make up your minds.

Excerpt

Nose pressed against his magnifying glass, Alfie followed the cornflake trail.

He followed the trail into the park. He followed it to Pets’ Corner. The thief would be sorry he’d stolen from Alfie.

Suddenly, Alfie came face to face with the thief. The thief looked even grumpier than Alfie. What’s more, he had two sharp horns.