The Tale of the Tail

Tom and his mother move into number 1, Prodigy Street. It looks like a very ordinary street. Tom thinks that nothing exciting will ever happen there – that is, until Mr Mirabilis and his dog, Najki, move into number 22. Tom very quickly realises that whenever Najki is around, strange and wonderful things happen – all you have to do is wish for them. Najki has a secret. He has a magic tail that acts like a wand and can grant other people’s wishes. However, people have to be careful what they wish for because things can sometimes get out of hand, especially if they wish unwisely. This happens a few times, with Tom and his friend, Sarah, finding themselves in the middle of a rugby game, and Tom’s mother ending up at the top of a tall tree during a storm. Despite these strange happenings, Tom loves seeing wishes granted, but just how long will Mr Mirabilis and Najki stay in Prodigy Street?

This is a fun and humorous book. It is imbued with a strong sense of the fantastic and magical realism. Fantasy is a part of the everyday, and it is beautifully depicted. This extremely charming story will appeal equally to boys and girls, and the writing is wonderfully complemented by Tony Ross’ clever and quirky illustrations.