A Review By Frances 

 Sadly, Diana Wynne Jones died recently, so there will be no more adventures about Earwig and her friend, Custard.

  Earwig and Custard live in an orphanage, and manage not to be adopted by looking as unattractive as possible.  This means they remain at St Morwald’s  Home for Children where they are very happy.  Earwig is therefore extremely surprised when she is picked by  a very strange couple to go home with them.  Bela Yaga turns out to be a witch and the Mandrake gentleman is nine feet tall with horns.  Most children would probably be terrified, but not Earwig – she merely sees being a witch’s assistant and living with a being who is served by demons as a new challenge.  This entertaining book for children is suitable for 7 –10 year-olds…..