WITCH, GOBLIN AND SOMETIMES GHOST: Six Read-Alone Stories
By
The same tender friendships and lovable foibles that other easy readers attribute to small animals are assigned here to Goblin, Ghost and Witch, whose names (the only indication of their spooky natures) presumably add a twist of humor to their fears of the dark or of storms. The episodes follow the familiar pattern, with Goblin cast as the childishly self-absorbed hero: He has trouble flying his kite but succeeds when the wind comes up. He is disappointed because his birthday doesn't make him automatically smarter but appeased when Witch's gift is an encyclopedia that will do the trick. He feels left out when Witch and Ghost are busy writing a book but then it turns out to be about him. ""'Oh my,' said Goblin. 'I did help after all. . . . I helped by being ME!'"" But that's the sorriest delusion of all.