Kids into books - Denzil's Great Bear Burglary

This weeks title: Denzil's Great Bear Burglary

Author: Sherryl Jordan

Publisher: Mallinson Rendel, $16.95

Illustrator: Trevor Pye

Age Group: 10-12 years



"I'm not speaking spells over the leaves, because the magic lies in what the women themselves believe. Now go, deliver the leaves, and make sure each woman gets the right bundle. That is vital. Can you remember which bundle goes to which woman?"

Denzil nodded, forgetting the stolen raspberry pie in his pocket, and cramming the bundles on top of it. On the way out, he hesitated. "Master, are you definite about the ceremonial robe? Really absolutely no-changing-your-mind decided?"

Valvasor just frowned at him, and Denzil fled. As he trotted down the road he muttered colours and names to himself, "Green to Grumpibones, blue to Frowniface, and red to Wildbloode. Or was it blue to Wildbloode? Oh, St Valentine help me! Green to Wildbloode. That was it! Blue to Grumpibones ..."

He came to Kitty Wildbloode's cottage, and stood outside her rickety fence, holding the three bundles. The bundles, smeared with raspberry jam, rustled in his shaking hands. At last he said a rhyme taught to him by Samantha, when she had helped him decide once which chocolate to choose. She called it a Choosing-Spell.

Eeny meeny miney mo,

Catch a piglet by the toe.

If it squeals let it go, Eeny meeny miney mo.