Pongwiffy and the Holiday of Doom by Kaye Umansky

August 2009 (re-issue) Bloomsbury
208 pages
Review Copy

Children's, fantasy

Smiles: 5/5
Yunaleska's recommended rating ♥♥♥♥♥

I remember reading about Pongwiffy's adventures when I was a child. I found the books funny then, and even funnier now.

Pongwiffy is a witch who hates baths. She lives among the other witches, and tries to do good but somehow her well meant plans don't go according to plan. Her idea of taking her fellow witches on holiday with the coven's funds didn't go down particularly well (never spend money which isn't yours without asking), but seeing as everyone is so miserable with the weather and all the germs floating about, reluctantly the coven agrees to go on vacation. I don't think anyone would dare tell Pongwiffy she might have a chance of fighting germs if she took a wash.

Accompanied by her familiar, Hugo, the funny hamster who speaks with an accent, Pongwiffy wasn't to know they'd be holidaying in the same area as the wizards. Everyone knows wizards and witches don't mingle together. Or that the goblins, who have random update reports throughout the story, are trying to get to the new goblin theme park, Gobboworld. Will there be a show down between the wizards and the witches? What is the connection between Gobboworld and Pongwiffy? A clue: soap + water + Pongwiffy = what type of witch?

There are some books whose humour is timeless, and this is one of them. No matter the reader's age, there's so much to laugh about here. The detailed illustrations add to the humour - just look at how cute Hugo is on the front cover (at the front of the boat). The witches have the classical witch style - pointed hat, warts, boils, long noses, and their familiars look rather long suffering. These witches definitely need a vacation after Pongwiffy's booked holiday for them. It's not quite the relaxing stay on the beach they imagined.

This is a book for anyone feeling a bit gloomy, needing some cheering up. Perfect for the overcast day in which I'm writing this review.

Kaye Umansky's website is here.

Like this? Try Wilma Tenderfoot and the Case of the Frozen Hearts by Emma Kennedy