Haunted Children
Digital version – browse, print or download
Can't see the preview?
Click here!
How to print the digital edition of Books for Keeps: click on this PDF file link - click on the printer icon in the top right of the screen to print.
BfK Newsletter
Receive the latest news & reviews direct to your inbox!
Cover Story
Through star filled skies on Christmas Eve Kay Harker, in a sleigh pulled by eight unicorns and driven by Herne the Hunter, returns in triumph to Tatchester. The illustration on the cover of this issue of BfK is by Faith Jaques and is taken from The Box of Delights, a newly illustrated edition of John Masefield's classic children's book, abridged by Patricia Crampton and published by Heinemann, 0 434 95052 1, £7.95. A paperback edition (without colour plates) is available from Fontana Lion (0 00 572415 9, £1.50). We are grateful to Heinemann and Fontana for help in using this illustration.
Haunted Children
This is a good, straightforward sequence of nine short stories, which should make a welcome addition to any book collection. The variety of characters, the familiarity of the backgrounds and situations and the credible sense of the mysterious which is evoked, are all very much in its favour as a recommendable selection for upper junior/lower secondary readers. The evil trick of the ancient Mr. Pope in The Babysitter, using his glass-eye to haunt young Nigel should cause shivers; and the strange case of Anthony and his dead brother Timmy should provoke speculation, whilst the good humoured Bodger will be bound to amuse and the lingering haunting by Kirsty will make one think twice about gas at the dentist's!