Kaye Umansky

This book was pretty good. It was well developed and well paced as a chapter book. I think 3-6 is the perfect level. The language is simple but not too simple and there’s complexity added with the language of the witch. This story is cute and full of magic reminding me of maybe a Disney movie. The dialogue between the characters provides comic relief and we get to see the stereotypes like when clover first meets the witch and looks for moles and extra fingers. Overall I think this is a pretty good read.… (més)

One thing I think British authors do really well is younger middle grade. Fun, light-hearted, magical stories for kids about 7 to 9 who aren't ready for the hefty, intense middle grade doorstoppers but have moved beyond beginning chapters. One of my favorite authors for this level is Kaye Umansky and I especially love this series I've just discovered.

Elsie Pickles lives a happy, if crowded, life in her town of Smallbridge. Her family runs the local shop, Pickles' Emporium, and it's, well, not much good. Elsie is minding the shop one day, wishing a customer would show up who wanted to buy lots of cheap, boring things so her family will have enough to eat, and maybe even enough for just one pair of special shoes, when Magenta Sharp, the Red Witch, blows in. Literally.

Several of my favorite books by Umansky feature young girls, in boring jobs, who are practical souls and handle unexpected events well. Elsie is the epitome of this, as, after some hesitation, she decides to house-sit for Magenta Sharp for a week. After all, she says she doesn't HAVE to do magic and she'll pay her twenty-one gold pieces! Armed with her common sense, the Pickles' rules for customer service, and eagerly anticipating a week of reading, Elsie sets out into the woods and arrives at the Red Witch's tower.

Of course, things don't work out that way! Between self-absorbed woodcutters, a very odd lady pretending to be a wood nymph, the light-fingered Howler sisters, and a stray dog, Elsie has a very exciting week indeed! By the time the story ends, she's not only discovered a lot more self-confidence and a knack for magic, she's well on her way to a possible new profession.

Verdict: This is just perfect for young readers who want a fun, magical story that's not too involved or intense. I enjoyed it immensely and purchased the rest of the series to read and donate to the library.

ISBN: 9781471160905; Published in the UK October 2017 by Simon and Schuster; Purchased myself and donated to the library… (més)