What begins as a visit to Uncle Dave’s new condominium, turns into an almost-magical adventure at the Castle Apartments. Winifred is the imaginative one, fervently hoping “the castle” comes complete with a moat and a spiky door. Eugene, her brother, would be happy with a mere television. Brenda, lovingly referred to as Bun Bun, has just begun toddling and it is her curiosity that sets the plot in motion. While their parents are busy with the doorman, Bun Bun steps into the elevator with Winifred hurrying after. The doors close. Trapped in the elevator, Bun Bun begins to cry while Winifred tries to comfort her as she’s seen Mommy do. Three times the doors open on the wrong floor and each time they meet with a different character befitting inhabitants of a castle. There’s a monster, a witch, and then a princess. The illustrations let the reader in on the real identity of the apartment occupant. The monster, for example, is an eager spotted dog. At last the hapless two meet the knight, in this case Uncle Dave, who tops off the occasion with a royal surprise. Scrimger and Johnson first combined their talents when they introduced these characters in Bun Bun’s Birthday (not reviewed). Drawn with humor, the artwork supplements the tale by illuminating half the story and adorns each page with willowy ink and watercolor pictures. This is a light but involving read that nicely portrays how a child can affect her environment for it is Winifred’s aplomb and fancy that keeps the situation from turning panicky. (Picture book. 3-6)
