Tales of wonder and delight for all ages

Press, 1 February 1983, Page 18

Tales of wonder and delight for all ages

Dorrie. a little witch, her cat Gink, and her mother the big witch are the main characters in a series of books for younger readers — some of which are reviewed in the ’■Junior Press" book columns this week. "Dorrie and the Haunted House.” written and illustrated by Patricia Coombs. Published by Penguin as a Young Puffin. When all the witches and wizards are searching for the stolen blue ruby — Dorrie. the little witch, is firmly told to keep out of the way. Dorrie and her cat Gink manage to get involved anyway and soon find themselves in trouble when they are caught alone in a haunted house with two robbers for company. “Dorrie and the Wizard’s Spell,” written and illustrated by Patricia Coombs. Published by Penguin as a Young Puffin. Dorrie is so busy at the bazaar that she does not notice, at first, that her mother, the big witch, has disappeared. Soon she finds out that her mother has drunk the wizard's magic potion by mistake and has been turned into a teacup for a thousand years. What can little Dorrie do? “Dorrie and the Birthday Eggs,” written and illustrated by Patricia Coombs. Published by Penguin as a Young Puffin. When the eggs for her mother’s birthday cake get broken by mistake. Dorrie sets out to buy some more from the egg witch. Her errand takes her through the forest and lurking there is Thinnever Vetch, just itching to create some mischief. "Pete and Roland,” written

and illustrated by Bob Graham. Published in Picture Lion by Collins. Pete finds a blue budgie in his garden one morning. His father provides an old birdcage and Pete lovingl.v prepares a home for his new friend. He leaves the cage door open so that Roland, his budgie, can come and go as he pleases. But one day Roland really does go. “Jenny’s Baby Brother," written by Pete Smith and illustrated by Bob Graham. Published in Picture Lion byCollins. Jenny has a baby brother and she doesn’t like him much. He was okay if you just wanted something soft to cuddle but he certainly couldn't play with anyone. Then one day baby brother proved to be very entertaining. He was a terrific shot with a "loaded" spoon. "Dr Seuss’s Sleep Book,” a Dr Seuss paperback classic published by Collins. "A yawn is quite catching, you see. Like a cough. It just takes one yawn to start another yawn off." So begins yet another Dr Seuss beginner book, packed with funny rhymes and amazing drawings. “How the Grinch stole Christmas.” A Dr Seuss paperback classic published by Collins. You might think that everyone likes Christmas. Well, you're wrong. The Grinch' hated Christmas, indeed the whole Christmas season. He fries to stop Christmas but discovers that even without parcels and decorations, trees and turkeys, the Who down in Whoville can still celebrate Christmas.