Mrs. Noodlekugel ~ Daniel Pinkwater

What a delightfully odd little book. I think it rather perfectly captures the magic of childhood. How wonderful things happen every day. . . like for example, a cat playing Four Blind Mice and accompanying himself on an old upright piano, repeatedly, because that's the only song he knows. . . well, strange things happen. And, as the grown-ups — those presumably with a bit more experience in the world — are not acting surprised or put out, well, you shrug your little shoulders and just learn to enjoy it.

This is a great first chapter book. It is as enchanting as a little, forgotten house and garden lost in the middle of a cityscape of skyscrapers. I do hope there will be more tales of Mrs. Noodlekugel, Mr. Fuzzface and Nick and Maxine.

I mean, she's hardly earned her keep as babysitter yet!