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 don't really know that all this is truly effective," Valvasor muttered, putting the bundle aside and beginning to prepare another. "But the women seem to think it is, so long as the thing is prepared by me. What are you waiting for, lad? I thought you were going to the village fair."

"I am, but I want to look my best," said Denzil.

For the first time in several days, the wizard gave his apprentice a long, hard look. "Good Lord!" murmured Valvasor. "When did you last mend your hose, lad? You've got twenty holes in them, below knee level!
Goodness knows how many holes they have, higher up. And why on earth is your hair grey? What did you do - fall in the flour bin? And that looks suspiciously like raspberry jam oozing through your pockets. Have you been stealing the baker's pies?"

Denzil gulped and went red. "Not exactly," he said, shaking his head violently and sending clouds of flour out of his unruly black hair. "I just happened to be at the baker's, when the cat chased me. I hid in the flour bin." "I didn't know you were afraid of cats."

"I am - when I'm a mouse," said Denzil.

"I see," said Valvasor. "A mouse in the baker's is the same as a thief."