Mouldylocks

Lodge (The Half-Mile Hat; Tanglebird) serves up a rather bland witch's brew using some overly familiar ingredients, including a magic broomstick, a book of magic spells and some predictable bewitching, zapping and reversing of curses. The first two are gifts Mouldylocks receives for her surprise birthday party, thrown by two fellow witches and a wizard. After games of Pass the Gargoyle, Musical Chairs (with bewitched furniture that won't stay still) and Snakes and Ladders (""with real snakes and real ladders""), spells cast by the three hosts turn them all into creepy crawlies, and the guest of honor must use her new tome to undo the damage. The conclusion brings Mouldylocks a ""surprise"" that is anything but: an oversize birthday cake. The most inventive aspect of the book is Lodge's stylized woodblock art, which conjures up some whimsical images, although their textured quality makes some appear washed-out. This lukewarm concoction lacks the spark to keep it boiling and bubbling. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)