The Magic Orange Tree and Other Stories

The Magic Orange Tree is a gem of a collection. It takes the harsh reality of city life today, shrouds it in imagination, and produces a memorable experience for the child at the centre of each of these stories. The magic of the mind is universal; here it is at work in many ethnic groups: Poles, Chinese, Welsh, Jamaican, Irish, Scottish, Greek and Asian. As each tale is spun, the reader can rejoice with the hero/heroine at the happiness which is wrought. Paperback paper quality leaves Ossie Murray's black and white drawings sadly blurred, though Jenny Tylden-Wright's cover illustration is excellent, and aptly suggests the anthology's theme. Strongly recommended.