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Kaye Umansky is a truly funny writer. Her classic Pongwiffy series has been a bestseller since first publication and she has been writing for over 30 years. Kaye was born in Plymouth, Devon, and now lives in North London with her husband Mo and her cats. She writes full time in an office with stars on the ceiling.
Awards Kaye has collected
Nottinghamshire Book Award 1993 for Pongwiffy and The Spell of The Year
TES Junior Music Book Award 1999 for Three Rapping Rats
Magic! There’s a new adventure for Elsie Pickles and her friend and sometime employer witch Magenta Sharp. Bored, Magenta has decided to open a magic shop in Elsie’s village, Smallbridge. Attention to detail has never been one of Magenta’s strengths, and she relies on new gadget the Spellatron 3000 to set it up, ignoring the first rules of witchcraft - read the instructions, follow the recipe, know how to stop it if things go wrong. Things do go wrong of course, but not before the shop has provoked protest from some village residents who want to keep Smallbridge ‘witch-free’, to quote one of their unfriendly placards. Thanks to Elsie – and some magic tickle dust - all is resolved happily in the end. Kaye Umansky is one of our best writers for children and here she subtly and seemingly effortlessly mixes social comment into a very funny comic adventure.
Who’s the more interesting character? Snow White, or the wicked queen? And who’s got the more interesting back-story, Sleeping Beauty or the 13th fairy? The incomparable Kaye Umansky stands up for our favourite fairy tale villains in this collection, telling their stories with her trademark humour and verve. Snow White’s stepmother is irredeemably, gloriously wicked, bored rigid by her stepdaughter and unrepentant even when found out. Cinderella’s stepsisters are just horrible, and, fascinatingly, unashamedly so. As for the 13th fairy and the witch of the gingerbread cottage, Umansky shows us that they were just misunderstood. Her twists on the tales are very readable and very funny too and this collection is highly recommended.
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A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month September 2018 | Kaye Umansky, the creator of the much-loved Pongwiffy stories follows up Witch for a Week with a new adventure about Magenta Sharp, a rather muddled local witch, and Elsie Pickles, the little girl she gets to help her. In this new adventure Elsie is invited back to the wandering tower that is Magenta’s home to help the witch to sort out the terrible chaos of her magic-selling business. Magenta has been ignoring the paperwork and she is now attracting so many complaints that she is threatened with the loss of her magical licence! Can Elsie save Magenta’s business? And can she also help her to keep an unruly genie under control while she is about it? as ever, Kaye Umansky’s magic is deliciously frothy and ridiculously good fun.
Interest Age 8+ Reading Age 8 A masterly and hilarious retelling of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, from award-winning queen of funny Kaye Umansky. Lovereading Comment to follow. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 8+ Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of dyslexia friendly books and those for reluctant readers. Here on Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting new titles and refreshing our special dyslexia friendly category. Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range.
A brilliantly funny odd couples comedy from one of our very funniest authors for children. The Primms and the Weirds are totally different: fish-eating, hedge-trimming, neighbourhood-watching, the Primms are as strait-laced as they come, while the Weirds are just, well, weird! Mum is a stunt woman, dad’s an inventor, Gran is very, very small and just what is making all the thumping sounds in the attic? Despite their differences, when the Weirds move in next door, Pinch Primm becomes friends with Ott Weird, and their adventures make wonderfully comic reading. There are three different stories, each is short, very funny and with a momentum that keeps the pages turning right until the end. Packed with treats, including Chris Mould’s black and white illustrations. ~ Andrea Reece
In a nutshell: one of our funniest writers works her magic From the creator of the much-loved Pongwiffy books comes a new series that mixes magic, friendship and comedy together, with an extra helping of charm. Young Elsie Pickles helps out in her family shop, in the dull little town of Smallbridge on the river Dribble. When the local witch arrives to advertise for a house sitter Elsie jumps at the chance and begins a week minding a magical tower and looking after the witch’s talking raven Corbett. As Elsie settles in and gets to know the witch’s other friends and neighbours, she can’t help trying a little magic herself. Elsie, Corbett and their friends are wonderful characters and this is a lovely read; full of fun and adventure, comedy and excitement, it will keep children smiling from beginning to end. ~ Andrea Reece
Interest Age 8+ Reading Age 8 The inimitable Kaye Umansky turns her attention to King Arthur and Camelot in a typically funny and mischievous story. Arthur is being driven to distraction by his knights, who keep pestering him to send them off on jousts, or test them on the Code of Chivalry. He’s particularly irritated by Sir Tralahad and his twenty-two verse songs. Fortunately Queen Gwinny comes up with a good plan and suggests he give them a room of their own where they can set up a Knight club. It all works out well at first, though the round table (it’s a drop-leaf) could be sturdier … The comedy comes from the clash of courtly personalities, while the story also pokes gentle fun at macho behaviour in general; another hit from one of our funniest writers. ~ Andrea Reece Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+ Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of dyslexia friendly books and those for reluctant readers. Here on Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting new titles and refreshing our special dyslexia friendly category. Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range.
Interest Age 8-11 Reading Age 8 Characters don’t come bigger or better than Vi, the star of this fabulously funny new story by the inimitable Kaye Umansky. Vi is wife of that giant at the top of the beanstalk, but her account of the events of the fairy tale is rather different to the one we’re used to. Vi is cheerful about it all, but reading between the lines we can tell just how fed up she is with her lazy husband and snobby sister-in-law (always laughing at Vi’s thimble collection). Vi loves little things you see, which is why she’s so nice to the thoroughly undeserving Jack. She’s revised her opinion by the end however, proudly proclaiming, ‘Big is better! Buy that outsize sweater!’ A perfect piece of comic storytelling with real emotion and observation slipped in among the humour. ~ Andrea Reece Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+ Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of dyslexia friendly books and those for reluctant readers. Here on Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting new titles and refreshing our special dyslexia friendly category. Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range.
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ Andy Stanton describes Kaye Umansky as ‘wickedly funny’ and that’s very true of her version of The Frog Prince. Prince Valentine’s parents are keen for him to find himself a girlfriend, so he summons a load of princesses to the palace for interviews, judging them on things like their shoes, and whether they share his interest in collecting royal mugs. The process is interrupted when he insults a witch in the palace garden and she turns him into a frog, thereby teaching him a few important life lessons. It’s very funny – Umansky is unbeatable for comic dialogue - but underneath the humour is quite a sharp commentary on how we should treat other people. ~ Andrea Reece One of our Dyslexia Friendly Books of the Year 2015 | Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+ Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of dyslexia friendly books and those for reluctant readers. Here on Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting new titles and refreshing our special dyslexia friendly category. Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range.
A wonderful adventure for a very ordinary boy! Algy lives in an ordinary house and he has an ordinary bedroom which always seems to need tidying up. Just like everyone else! But Algy has a shed in his garden and, inside that shed there is a secret doorway into an amazing world…When Algy steps through the doorway he finds his body is lighter and soon he and his friends are bouncing through space, landing on a new planet and meeting aliens!
Algy is back and Cherry’s little brother Brad is joining them on their adventure to the world behind the plank. This time they discover a tropical island and it just so happens that being by the sea is one of the things that Algy doesn’t much like. Disaster looms when Cherry and Brad are captured by pirates. Can Algy save the day? Read this swashbuckling adventure to find out? Another laugh-out-loud Early Reader about Algy, a boy who discovers that adventures aren't so bad after all, from bestselling author Kaye Umansky. Red Early Reader books are the next step on your child's reading journey, encouraging independent reading with exciting stories and engaging illustrations. Short accessible chapters make them ideal for newly confident readers - we also think they're great for sharing too!
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ Poor Sleeping Beauty! Everyone knows she was cursed by the wicked fairy out of spite because she wasn’t invited to the christening and so fell asleep for 100 years. But it all turns out to have been a terrible mistake! Here, in a witty and very different account, the 13th Fairy tells how that was never meant to happen! Kaye Umansky’s makes excellent fun with a traditional tale. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+
Meet Algy. He’s just moved house. Moving house is on the long list of things he doesn’t like, along with girls, snakes, crocodiles, mad tigers and having adventures. Algy meets Cherry (who just happens to be a girl) from next door and before he knows it he’s off traipsing through the jungle - on an adventure! Maybe, just maybe he’ll discover he’s braver than he thinks. In fact he might just be a hero. This is an exciting story about facing your fears and helping a friend in need. Red Early Reader books are the next step on your child's reading journey, encouraging independent reading with exciting stories and engaging illustrations. Short accessible chapters make them ideal for newly confident readers - we also think they're great for sharing too!
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ Snow White’s wickedest stepmother is one of the darkest characters in fiction and here she is shown in the very blackest light of all. In a savagely witty contemporary voice, the wicked stepmother tells her own story including why she so hates the mirror and why she is determined to see the back of Snow White! Kaye Umansky is very funny! Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers of 8+ Mairi Kidd, Barrington Stoke MD says.....We’re delighted to publish Kaye’s hilarious spins on these two well-loved Grimm tales during the Grimms’ 250th anniversary year. Humour is a brilliant way to hook kids into books, and both of these reboots are laugh-out-loud funny.' Click here to visit the book page of Kaye Umansky's other very funny fairy-ish tale...The Wickedest Witch in the World.
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ This wonderfully witchy story from best-selling author Kaye Umansky gives a new gloss to the story of Hansel and Gretel. This time, it is told by the witch herself.Having just won the Wickedest Witch Contest, Maggit reveals the scheme she came up with to win the first prize. Building a house of sweets was the no-brainer at the heart of her kidnapping plan but she hadn’t banked on the feisty natures of Hansel and Gretel! Maggit’s story is suitably unworldly – as one might expect from a witch! Mairi Kidd, Barrington Stoke MD says.....We’re delighted to publish Kaye’s hilarious spins on these two well-loved Grimm tales during the Grimms’ 250th anniversary year. Humour is a brilliant way to hook kids into books, and both of these reboots are laugh-out-loud funny.' Click here to visit the book page of Kaye Umansky's other very funny fairy-ish tale...The Queen's Tale. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers of 8+
Interest Age 9-12 Reading Age 8+ The Weirds are a most unusual family in every way; mum is a stunt woman, dad is a scientist with a habit of blowing big things up and gran is just a little bit magical. And then there are the children…Three hilarious stories about the very unusual things the Weird’s get up and how they affect everyone around them – especially the Primms who have the misfortune to live next door. Meet the Weirds is the first in a trilogy - the second is Wildly Weird and the third is Weird Happenings - and there are extracts available for all three!
Interest Age 9-12 Reading Age 8+ The Weirds are a most unusual family in every way; mum is a stunt woman, dad is a scientist with a habit of blowing big things up and gran is just a little bit magical. And then there are the children…Three hilarious stories about the very unusual things the Weird’s get up and how they affect everyone around them – especially the Primms who have the misfortune to live next door. Meet the Weirds is the first in a trilogy - the second is Wildly Weird and the third is Weird Happenings - and there are extracts available for all three!
Interest Age 9-12 Reading Age 8+ The Weirds are a most unusual family in every way; mum is a stunt woman, dad is a scientist with a habit of blowing big things up and gran is just a little bit magical. And then there are the children…Three hilarious stories about the very unusual things the Weird’s get up and how they affect everyone around them – especially the Primms who have the misfortune to live next door. Meet the Weirds is the first in a trilogy - the second is Wildly Weird and the third is Weird Happenings - and there are extracts available for all three!
Interest Age 9+ Reading Age 8+. A romping comedy of catastrophes, this version of the Cinderella story comes straight from the mouths of the step sisters. They make no apology for their terrible behaviour as they greedily pursue their own ends while doing down their step sister. But, as everyone knows, Cinderella has the last laugh. Without exception dyslexia-friendly books published by Barrington Stoke get off to an exciting start and maintain the impetus throughout, with a cliffhanger at the end of every chapter. The plot is clear, the characters appealing and there are plenty of visual clues, as dyslexics like to run a story like a video in their heads. To view other titles we think are suitable for reluctant readers please click here. A Dyslexia Friendly title.
A second set of entertaining adventures for Clover Twig, a clever and sensible girl who works for Mrs Eckles, a witch. When the Perilous Path arrives unexpectedly in the woods Clover has to help Mrs Eckles and the rest keep off it since, as its name suggests, it’s a road that leads to no good. Lots of laughs as Clover manages all kinds of unusual and unexpected things.
Due August 2009. Pongwiffy the witch hates rainy days because she hates sitting around doing nothing so she decides to organise a holiday for her and her friends at none other than Sludgehaven-on-sea. That will be fun... Pongwiffy the witch was created by the author over 20 years ago and the six titles have entertained millions of children and their parents for a long time. Now, 20 years on they have been brought to life for a new generation with fantastic new covers and best of all a brand new story too, Pongwiffy: Back on Track. To view all the Pongwiffy titles click here.
Due July 2009. Hugo her hamster and her broom decide it’s time to muck out Pongwiffy’s filthy hovel, much to her annoyance. So to cheer herself up she has a go at one of her granny’s really tricky spells that’s full of unusual ingredients and what a spot of bother she gets herself into and her hovel.Pongwiffy the witch was created by the author over 20 years ago and the six titles have entertained millions of children and their parents for a long time. Now, 20 years on they have been brought to life for a new generation with fantastic new covers and best of all a brand new story too, Pongwiffy: Back on Track. To view all the Pongwiffy titles click here.
Due June 2009. Pongwiffy and her friends are always giving the goblins a hard time, at least that’s what they say, so the goblins decide to broomnap the witches’ brooms. Oh dear, and if only Pongwiffy had listened to her broom none of it would have happened. Pongwiffy the witch was created by the author over 20 years ago and the six titles have entertained millions of children and their parents for a long time. Now, 20 years on they have been brought to life for a new generation with fantastic new covers and best of all a brand new story too, Pongwiffy: Back on Track. To view all the Pongwiffy titles click here.
Anyone who loves slime, sludge and anything else that is disgusting will love Pongwiffy because she loves them all very much. Pongwiffy is a witch with a difference. She is wedded to her bad habits and nobody, not even her best friend Sharkadder, will change the way she thinks. Pongwiffy’s search for a home away from her noisy next door neighbours, the goblins, is hugely entertaining.Pongwiffy the witch was created by the author over 20 years ago and the six titles have entertained millions of children and their parents for decades. Now, 20 years on they have been brought to life for a new generation with fantastic new covers and best of all a brand new story too, Pongwiffy: Back on Track. To view all the Pongwiffy titles click here.
A brand new adventure for Pongwiffy capturing the modern trend of healthy living. Pongwiffy is still indulging in her disgusting habits in Witchway Wood but suddenly fitness becomes the latest crazy. How will Pongwiffy fare in the witchy sports day. Can she magic herself a clever plan?Pongwiffy the witch was created by the author over 20 years ago and the six titles have entertained millions of children and their parents for a long time. Now, 20 years on they have been brought to life for a new generation with fantastic new covers and best of all, this brand new story Pongwiffy: Back on Track. To view all the Pongwiffy titles click here.
Enjoy a fantastic romp through some crazy magic. Clover Twig's new job as cleaner to the stranage Mrs Eckles comes with a very special house. It's a cottage that can fly! But a flying home has many problems - not least that several other people want it, too! ~ Julia Eccleshare Perfect for Reluctant Readers as well as keen readers. To view other titles we think are suitable for reluctant readers please click here.
Prince Pete isn't ready for marriage - he's only eleven! And this peculiar business with the pea is the daftest thing he's ever heard. Mother reckons she can find him the perfect royal bride and thinks the pea is the one true test. But when scruffy-looking Patsy comes along, claiming to be a princess, Mother's careful scheming quickly turns to soup. A laugh-out-loud retelling of The Princess and the Pea like you've never heard it before! Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 8+
Everyone is already the spell of this bewitchingly funny series from Kaye Umansky... 'Umansky is one of our most delightful comic writers. Read aloud and chortle together...' The Sunday Times, Book of the Week 'A Bewitching tale, charmingly told and is certain to delight any witch in the making' M.G, Leonard, award-winning author of Beetle Boy 'A gorgeous story that bubbles with charm, wit and magic' Abi Elphinstone, author of Sky Song 'A sulky raven, a grubby dog and a common-sense heroine with a strong sense of customer service. This is a funny, magical treat!' Holly Webb, author of Lost in the Snow Magenta Sharp has vanished from her magical tower in Crookfinger forest and no one knows how to find her. But with a mysterious stranger setting his sights on the empty tower and an unexpected snowstorm causing chaos, Elsie and her friends need to track down Magenta, and fast! Can Elsie's new witchy skills help save the day? Or is Magenta gone for good? A fun and charming series, perfect for fans of Amelia Fang, Isadora Moon and The Worst Witch from the bestselling author Kaye Umansky.
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