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


Trouble was something Denzil was used to. He lived in trouble; it shadowed him, tracking him like a barn cat trailing a mouse, pouncing when he least expected it - usually just when he thought he'd been particularly clever. Always he had managed to talk himself out of the trouble - or to wriggle out of it by magic - but this time was different.

This time the trouble was so huge, so devastating, that Denzil's career as a wizard's apprentice was in grave danger of being terminated.

It all began one fine winter morning, with an innocent request, and ten little pigs ...

"I need to borrow something," Denzil said to his master, the great wizard Valvasor.

Valvasor was busy. "What?" he asked, impatiently.

"Your ceremonial robe," Denzil said. "I really need it, Master. Can I have it? Please?"

"When pigs fly," Valvasor replied.

"Does that mean No?"

Valvasor leaned over the herbs scattered across the ancient table, and picked up a dried branch with faded silvery-green leaves. He plucked off five leaves, spread them on the table in front of him, and scratched words on them with a thorn. Then he wrapped the leaves carefully in a piece of muslin cloth, which he tied with a scarlet ribbon.