From Publishers Weekly
As in her earlier popular fantasies, Ibbotson (Which Witch?; The Secret of Platform 13) once again brews a delicious mix of magic, humor and adventure. "Kidnapping children is not a good idea. All the same, sometimes it has to be done," begins her latest novel, set on a remote island. The island's caretakersAthree eccentric, kindly aunts who are getting on in yearsAneed younger, able-bodied helpers to continue their mission: tending the injuries of unusual creatures (gigantic birds, talking seals, mermaids, etc.) who have been harmed by mankind. Resorting to desperate measures, the trio travels to the mainland to kidnap suitable candidates ("Of course it won't be a real kidnap because we shan't ask the parents for ransom"). Two of the abducted children are not sorry to leave home; they become fond of the island creatures and their captors almost immediately. But the brattiest, most spoiled of the three is intent on returning to the comforts of his mansion. Tension mounts when the children's whereabouts are discovered, putting at risk the island creatures' privacy and safety. The author's exquisite sense of humor plus an imaginative and memorable cast of characters make this a rollicking escapade with a timeless moral about respecting nature. Final artwork not seen by PW. Ages 8-12. (Oct.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 4-6-It isn't easy taking care of an entire island and its needy, sometimes magical inhabitants and visitors, so the caregivers, Aunts Myrtle, Etta, and Coral, decide to kidnap three children from London to help them with such tasks as cleaning mermaids who were caught in an oil slick and coaxing an egg-bound boobrie to lay its enormous eggs. Two of the children, Fabio and Minette, turn out to be enthusiastic workers who grow to love the island and their charges, but Lambert Sprott is a cell-phone-addicted brat. In fact, it is Lambert's nefarious father who, in rescuing his son, makes a near-successful attempt to exploit the isle's magical creatures for his own gain. The tone of this book is as no-nonsense as stern but kind Aunt Etta. No mercy is shown to self-obsessed, environment-polluting grown-ups and nasty, ill-behaved children, but sanctimony is held at bay by the dry humor that permeates the story. The plunder of the sanctuary by Mr. Sprott and his crew is filled with scenes of real menace and suspense-readers will not be able to put the book down until they know for sure that all the island's inhabitants are safe and sound. The 14 black-and-white illustrations add quiet charm and humor. A fine choice for fantasy lovers, especially fans of E. Nesbit, Edward Eager, and Jane Langton.
Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
