| Kaye Umansky
Pongwiffy: Back on Track
It's twenty-one years since Kaye Umansky first introduced the smelliest witch
in the world, who lived in a stinking, damp cave with Hugo the fearless hamster
from Amsterdam. Pongwiffy, A Witch of Dirty Habits was first published
in 1988, to the disgusted delight of a generation of children, and five more
Pongwiffy stories followed, all bestsellers, and now all out-of-print.
But now a new generation of children can enjoy these hilarious stories, as
all six novels are being reprinted with new jacket designs and illustrations.
And much to the relief of fans of the unhygienic witch, there's a long-awaited
brand new story, Pongwiffy: Back On Track.
Pongwiffy: Back On Track blends magic with a healthy get-fit message.
Ideal for children who can read by themselves, Pongwiffy is also a favourite
with parents for reading aloud at bedtime, thanks to the trademark Umansky
humour and puns that run throughout the stories. The author was a judge of
the Funny Books Prize, created by Children's Laureate Michael Rosen, which
celebrated the importance of humour for children. 'I don't think funny
books are given nearly enough clout,' Kaye says. 'Laughter really matters.
It is a relief of tension and children especially really need it.'
Kaye Umansky was born near Plymouth, and is now a full-time writer living
in North London. She is one of an elite group of authors who have been chosen
for the 2010 World Book Day 'flip books'.
Praise for Pongwiffy: 'Jokey enough to persuade reluctant readers there
is pleasure to be had from dipping into books' Guardian
'Young readers adore the jokes and the grubbiness' - Daily Telegraph
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