Leaf Magic and Five other favourites

It's a mark of this writer's genius that even an ill-matched selection of her (previously published) short stories lets the magic shine through. I wish it weren't so patchily put together; a reader's way through could be difficult--without help. The appeal of the best stories here is just to different age groups. But skilled tellers and sharers will read Stepmother', about the risky negotiations that the young and the adult have to do with those assigned to love them, and 'Leaf Magic' a cleverly extended wish, to those they judge ready for them. 'The Rare Spotted Birthday Party' works wonders with what could easily become hackneyed (why should the boy with measles be the odd-one-out at a party). I want all juniors to be in touch with this writer so copies, please, for all junior classes. The sevens to tens need to get to know The Chewing Gum Rescue (a much better-integrated and sensitively-balanced collection, also paperbacked by Magnet).