Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-4-This latest entry in the series contains three short stories, the first of which takes Pandora, her parents, and Granny on a tour of Creakington Hall, where Granny's boredom leads to the discovery of a secret treasure. The second tale, for which the book is titled, has Pandora and Granny as contestants on a baking contest where magic is not allowed. In the third and final piece, Pandora competes in a school gardening competition, but when Granny gives her carrots a special drink, the whole contest rockets off into mayhem. These episodes will appeal to children; each is complete with chaotic and humorous illustrations. Parents and teachers, on the other hand, might frown on the constant bad behavior, including numerous occasions where rule breaking and cheating go without repercussions. In the second story, the use of the word meringue is sure to cause a stumble for the target age range. VERDICT Not a first purchase, but an enjoyable entry into beginner chapter books.-Shana Morales, Windsor Public Library, CT © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Each title contains three stories about witch-in-training Pandora and her magically mischievous granny, who transforms ordinary goings-on (such as baking, gardening, and entering cat Cobweb in a pet show) into extraordinary adventures. While the books may try too hard for whimsy, the pink-accented illustrations adorning every page; small, easily digestible blocks of text; and brief, magic-packed vignettes should attract newly independent readers. [Review covers these Hubble Bubble titles: The Great Granny Cake Contest! and The Wacky Winter Wonderland!] (c) Copyright 2018. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Pandora and her granny return in a new set of stories about witches who cannot refrain from using magic.In "The Ghosts of Creakington Hall," the chapter book's first story, Pandora, a white, English, half-witch, half-human child, is being punished for casting spells. (She and her granny had "magicked the three little pigs out of their fairy-tale book.") No brooms or wands are allowed on the family visit to an estate, but Granny can't last long without fun and witchcraft. The title story involves three granny witches with their helpers, Pandora, "meanie Merlin," and "snooty Opal" (both also white). The witches participate in a TV baking contest, but they are told: "NO MAGIC ALLOWED!" The three grannies cannot help themselves; the taping erupts into a magic-fueled food fight. The angry producer dismisses them, but the viewers can't get enough. In the last story, Pandora's school is disqualified from a gardening competition because Granny creates some gigantic carrots. Black ink and gray wash drawings on every page are full of humor, but there's little sign of diversity, save for Chef Edwardo and a student, the only evident characters of color. Light doses of innocent sorcery, a loving relationship between a grandmother and her granddaughter, and some occasional British slang ("tickity-boo") add up to a funny introduction to the magic arts. This accessible series should lead young readers to the groaning shelves of middle-grade fantasy that await. (Fantasy. 6-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
