Tashi and the Wicked Magician and Other Stories

Tashi, an elflike character who is best friends with a boy named Jack, recounts his adventures in this addition to the long-running Australian series. Tashi’s world is filled with monsters, narrow escapes, and characters with names like Wise-as-an-Owl; his exploits, captured in Kelly and Gamble’s charming full-color illustrations, include exposing a thieving magician, escaping from a burning haunted house, and encountering a vain dragon. Jack, as much an enthusiastic storyteller as Tashi, sometimes takes the helm, regaling his encouraging Mum and Dad with his own yarns about Tashi during a camping trip (as Tashi takes a nap). In these five chapter-length tales, Tashi and his gentle escapades provide just enough danger to captivate budding fantasy fans. Ages 5–8. (May)