Author:Brian Jacques
Gilly Bodkin met a terrible accident in 1690 while searching for a sweetmeat. The poor boy's ghost is left to wander woods and highways searching for that elusive sweet that he lost his life trying to taste. This is his sad story.
Part of the Storycuts series, this short story was previously published in the collection Seven Strange and Ghostly Tales.
An entertaining tale of pirates and hidden treasures
—— Young Book Trust, 100 Best BooksA delightful and exciting story
—— Language and LearningLaugh-out-loud funny
—— BooklistHats off to a winning canine antihero
—— KirkusCheery contemporary stories . . . The characters of child and dog are delightfully drawn
—— Daily TelegraphSwitching between Chuck and Danielle's viewpoints and with knowing asides to his child readers, Dickinson produces great comedy . . . An approachable book that will also read aloud well and provide a lot of amusement (and some food for thought)
—— Books for KeepsBrims with elegant prose, enchantment, comedy and mischief . . . It's the perfect gift but also a book to squirrel away for yourself and enjoy on a rainy afternoon
—— IndependentSmartly written, the tales can be enjoyed afresh, imbued with a love of words that will no doubt excite and delight your child. The new hardback collection is printed in large type so should be a good first read. It would also make a lovely gift
—— JuniorEach of the stories in this anthology is a magic bean: a wondrous take that will capture your imagination. Lovingly crafted by some of the finest authors and illustrators in the business . . . these 'magic beans' will delight and thoroughly entertain
—— Anne Whelton , Maternity MagazineAll the stories give a fresh and immediate version of the often cruel but funny originals where the darkest sides of human nature are contrasted against innocent honesty; magic intervening first on one side, then the other, until virtue triumphs. Skilful writing from modern storytellers
—— Tina Massey , CarouselA bright cover and good sized print are attractive but the irresistible factor is the list of 14 authors . . . Amazing, brilliant and a comparative bargain
—— The School LibrarianStephens' top-notch time-travel thriller has a quirky mixed bag of heroes and villains, a clever and compelling plotline and graphic action sequences that just cry out for the big screen treatment
—— Pam Norfolk , Lytham St Annes ExpressA wonderful story you can easily lose yourself in
—— Notes of LifeFirst-rate fantasy
—— Armadillo