Ibbotson creates truly wonderful characters---Susanna, the heroine of this novel, is the best of her creations. Susanna's romance isn't a perfect one (whose is?) and the story has rather sad moments but Ibbotson creates, as always, a world which any reader would want to visit. Her sly comments on political radicalism (in the form of Nini, the anarchist model/seamstress who works in Susanna's shop) are wonderful---too bad more earnest political writers never encountered Nini or thought more deeply about how difficult it can be to want "the revolution" while looking pretty... Everyone to whom I have lent the book has loved it and wants to buy a copy (I'm more than a bit worried that I may lend this book out and never get it back).

I found this to be a delightful read-a gentle,easy read and a fascinating microcosm of life in Vienna just prior to W.W.1.Our heroine owns a dress shop in a quaint city square,peopled by characters from various walks of life. It's not a book to strain anyones concentration as it flows along so pleasantly and is just what one could call"a nice little read".I don't mean that to sound patronising but it's a feel good read which I hope that others will enjoy.

Set in pre-World War 1 Vienna, Madensky Square by Eva Ibbotson takes you into the world of Susanna Weber,a dress shop owner,as she begins her diary on the first day of spring 1911.Filled with a rich cast of secondary characters and sub-plots the pace never becomes dull.From her chief assistant(an anarchist)to the strange assembly of friends,customers & neighbors you become as involved in their world as if they were people you knew.A great weekend read.

I discovered Ibbotson two years ago when I read her latest book, A Song For Summer. Magic Flutes is not her best book, but it definitely holds it's own. She mixes great characters, settings and opera to create a story that can be read over and over. The heroine, an impoverished princess, is enchanting. But I think my favorite characters are the opera crew. Who can help but love Boris and his yogurt culture he named the Mother. Ibbotson's books are hard to find, but well worth the search.

Ibbotson has a marvelous understanding of music, art, medicine, history, and science. I constantly want to look things up in the encyclopedia to see if she has her information correct - and she does! This is a cinderella story with a multitude of moments that touch the heart.

Eva Ibbotson is a wonderfully charming writer with memorable and funny characters. Yes, as the review above states, her stories are as light and sweet as the Viennese desserts she often refers to, but her heroines are not sacharine or dull. But, let's face it, who would you rather spend your afternoon with: charming, witty and fun characters or someone from Hannibal? Ibbotson developes characters with personalities you want to meet and know. I highly recommend Glove Shop as well as any and all of her books, her adult ones as well as her juvenile fiction. Let's face it, if you like books filled with "throbbing and panting" or congealed blood Ms. Ibbotson is not the writer for you.

Eva Ibbotson's delightful humor combined with Prunella Scales's flawless reading makes this audio book a winner. Two witches, lifelong friends, have a falling out when they appear at a party wearing identical (live) snake hats. They move away from one another and both are courted by an evil man who plans to use their powers to become rich. The plot is fast moving and funny, but it is the many humorous touches that make this story a hit with adult listeners as well as children. Who can resist a balloon inflated by politicians' hot air -- education ministers claiming that more testing will improve education, and an atomic energy minister claiming that nuclear waste is good for fish! Scales reads as if she believes every word so listeners soon forget there is a narrator between them and enter fully into the story. Great listening for ages eight and up.

Dial-a-Ghost was a great book. I was expecting a book exactly like it because Eva Ibbotson always writes fantastic books. It started out with a family living in their house during the war. A bomb hit their house and they became ghosts. They went to a ghost house where normal people could rent ghosts for their house, to scare or to just live there. The nice ghosts got mixed up with the awful ghosts and disaster began. The awful ghosts went to a nuns church adn the nice ones went to a nasty old mans house who just wanted the ghosts to kill people. I all turned out OK in the end, but you will have to see what happens for yourself.
Dial-a-Ghost was just everything I thought it would be. Fun, funny, entertaining, and exciting. This book had me reading in the car for hours in a row until I finished it. I just could not put it down. If you have read the Secret of PLatform 13 then I just know you will love this book. Both of the books are similar in the way that they have fun and crazy characters adn are just fun reads. Eva Ibbotson always succeedsin writing the books that really capture my attention and I hope that you will feel the same way after reading just a couple of her books.

Written By: C.C.

I'm just finishing reading this to my six-year-old (the nine yearold is listening, despite having read it twice already)and we all love it so much that they can even been torn away from The Simpsons! If you haven't dsicovered Ibbotson yet, start with this one, or The Secret of Platform 13 (which is astoundingly like Harry Potter, but long before Harry Potter was written).

Oliver, an orphan, unwillingly inherits Helton Hall from his dreary relations, never guessing that the evil Fulton and Freida Snodde Brittle (family motto: I set my foot upon my enemies)want it so badly they pay an agency to send them the most horrible ghosts on their books. Luckily, the Shriekers (not only violent, but snobs) get sent to some kind nuns by mistake, and Oliver is sent the lovely, gentle Wilkinson family. The Wilkinsons, who have been camping in a London knicker shop ever since a bomb fell on their own home, have adopted a little girl ghost called Adopta, and she becomes Oliver's special friend. But the evil Snodde-Brittles are furious when, instead of dying of asthma and terror, Oliver loves his new guests...and The Shriekers, equally furious, are coming to Helton too.

Funny, thrilling and moving. We all adored it.

Dial-A-Ghost is definetly one of the best books I have ever read. I first chose it because I have read and enjoyed many books that the author, Eva Ibbotson, has written previously. Dial-A-Ghost is about a little orphan child name Oliver Smith who has spent ten years in an orphanage after his parents died. Unexpectedly, he inherits Helton Hall. There, the evil Snodde-Brittles, Cousin Fulton and Frieda, are supposed to take care of him. However, the Snodde-Brittles are next in line to inherit Helton Hall if anything happens to Oliver. With this in mind, they call the agency, Dial-A-Ghost, and order two evil ghosts who are supposed to scare Oliver to death. While this is happening, a group of nuns order a family of nice ghosts to live in a extra house that they have. Their files get mixed up and the nuns are left with the terrible hate filled ghosts, and the Snodde-Brittles are given the wonderfully nice family. The ghosts were killed in World War One and treat Oliver as if they were their real son and brother. Soon, the Snodde-Brittles find out about the mistake in ghosts and demand that the mistake is fixed. However, Oliver is able to break the hard shell of the dead, hateful couple and comes to the core of their rage against kids. Together, they scare off the Snodde-Brittles.

I bought this book, mistakenly thinking that it was another of Eva Ibbottson's children's books. While it IS a very nice romance, one that even younger (11-15) girls might enjoy, it is not a children's book.

The book itself is very good, as usual. Eva Ibbottson is so clever with plot twists and turns that, even in formula drama such as this, she will throw in a few surprises! And her writing is always so clear and direct.

Amazon's branch in the UK carries this in paperback and her others as well. Readers also use interlibrary loans to find her novels. I virtually pulled an "all nighter" to finish this novel and that rather says it all. A young Russian countess is forced to work as an English earl's housemaid because of having fled revolutionary torn Russia. The earl is engaged to a beautiful heiress who is another one of Ibbotson's high comic characters. She believes in eugenics, getting rid of unfit people. The people in the earl's village and household use that vice to sink her boat with the earl. This is a fitting failing for the time period because it is right before Hitler and WWII. Ibbotson always seems to have the other woman as the villainess for the hero's affections. However, she presents them as such high figures of comedy that they are not at all clichés. I also love Ibbotson's use of time periods that few others seem inclined to use. This is right after WWI and the effect of that war on the survivors is part of the story. Ibbotson was a native of Vienna who settled in England herself so she brings all of her eastern European insight into her novels. This resembles a delightful fairy tale but there is no paranormal or fantasy aspect to it.

This is such a beautiful book. It and 'The Morning Gift' are Eva's best books. Unfortunately I haven't found it in English anywhere and have only read it in German, but I think the beauty of the story crosses the language barrier. I know the 'evil' fiancee is a cliche, but we are willing her, wishing for her to be evil. This is a fairytale given a more believable setting.

What attracted me to this book was the praise that said if you were a Harry Potter Fan then you'd enjoy this book.

Well, I didn't as much as I'd hope. First of all, the story was just ho hum. Having to read through three or five chapters of failed tests of witches proving themselves just bored me. It was sort of a waste of writing space, especially when I noticed that Arriman wasn't that bad considering he just wanted to write a book instead of wreaking havoc in the world. Really, I wanted to know what Belladonna would do that's so bad but it turned out that she didn't know about it...gee she's a well rounded character! Also, the book was horribly predictable. Especially about what Belladonna wanted to do to make her dark, who stole Rover and so on.

Also, compared to the witchcraft in Harry Potter verses the one in Which Witch, there were some elements that offended me. Like saying the Lord's Prayer backwards. Even though this book is only meant to entertain, this book interweaved religious figures and made the story seemed all to real. At least Harry Potter is anonymous in its reference to Chrisitanity.

From a concerned parent's point of view, this book is not entirely for kids, especially in Christian homes.

I have to say that I read this book in 2 nights easily, and it was pretty good. As you probably have figured out, the ending was VERY predictable, but there were a few surprises. Arriman the Aweful must get married and decides to hold a competition for the darkest witch to be his bride. Of course, all the wiches are crazy and ugly except for Belladonna, who is beatiful, nice, perfect, and in love with Arriman, but she is a white witch (not evil). The ending can already be predicted from here, but the book takes you on a wild ride to get there. I would say that it is a great read fr those who, like me, enjoy magic and comedy. I am pleased to say, though, that it is not a sleazy fantasy book but a cute fariy tale.

I love to read kids books. I have collected them since... well since I was a kid. I have most of the booksI had when I was a kid, (of course I wish I had the few I lost) and I still buy them and read them and save them for my son. He will be enjoying Dads extensive library some day. This book is one of 3 current books from this author , none of them having anthing to do with the other so they are not a series.

This was totally different than "Secret of Platform 13" and is nmot the samecharacters or location. This story has a bit of romance and might appeal more to girls than boys, but if boys will stick it out they will enjoy the overall book. Great bits about some fumbling old witches that can't seem to get things right, a young adult white witch that can't help being good even if the other withces dislike her for it, and a dark wizard who really is not a bad guy after all. And his servants are really nice guys, you will wish you could have them as friends yourself. The young witch rescues a boy from an orphanage and they becoem fast friends. The book has a great ending, very satisfying.

The writer is fun and humerous, and chooses words that make the story crackle and seem to play out in front of your eyes. Some scary stuff, but nothing to give you nightmares. I read the story in a few hours straight sine I could not put it down. I can't wait until I read the "Island of Aunts".

This delightful novel takes place in 1910, and tells the story of Maia Fielding, an orphan living in a boarding school in England. Maia receives news from her guardian that she has relatives living in Brazil, on a plantation near the exotic Amazon River. Maia is sent to live with them, accompanied by her governess, Miss Minton. Once there, Maia finds that her relatives, the Carters, are not what she expected. Mr. Carter, a cadaverous man with a collection of glass eyeballs, is heavily in debt, taking Maia in only for her wealth. Mrs. Carter is a plump woman, obsessed with money and keeping Brazilian influences out of her household. Their twin daughters, Beatrice and Gwendolyn, are like their mother in their love of money, and in their fear and dislike of the jungle and its natives. Maia, however, is enthralled by the jungle.. She befriends the mysterious, half-Indian boy, Finn, and a young actor named Clovis, who is worried about losing his job in adolescence. Soon, Maia, Miss Minton, Finn, and Clovis are caught up in a plot involving Finn's relatives at Westwood (an estate in England), two unpleasant Englishmen, and a trip down the Amazon River. This wonderful story provides a likeable heroine, easy-to-dislike villains, and a host of various other characters, all easy to relate to. Kevin Hawkes' ink illustrations are interesting, and provide clear images of the story.

If you want ghosts and witches, then read any one of Ibbotson's other novels - they're all great, and perfect for Harry Potter fans. However Journey to the River Sea has its own kind of magic, and it's just as good as the stuff with wands and potions.

Maia, an orphan, is sent with her formidable but loving governess (shades of The Little White Horse) to stay with her unpleasant relations on the Amazon. They're being paid to take her in, and hate everything to do with the extraordinary country in which they find themselves as much as Maia loves it. Luckily for her, she makes friends with two boys - one a child actor playing Little Lord Fauntleroy on the boat over, the other a mysterious boy who lives in the jungle, who turns out to be the heir to a great title and fortune back in England. Maia's evil twin cousins and relations are soon plotting how to kill her and capture the boy, for whom a huge reward is being offered. But the love of her governess and friends may yet save her....

This won the Smarties Gold Prize in the UK and is expected to win the Carnegie too. It's unputdownable, packed with old-fashioned story-telling virtues from a great plot to characters you'd love to know.

Journey to the River Sea is the story of Maia, and orphan that is sent to Brazil to live with her aunt, uncle, and twin cousins. Maia is excited about moving, and ready to explore the Amazon and make new friends. Unfortunately, things don't turn out picture-perfect as she'd hoped. Her cousins are absolutely terrible, and her aunt and uncle are nasty people who go beyond being condescending. Maia's life is ridiculously confined for someone living in a place presenting so many opportunities for adventure. However, things begin to look up as she finds wonderful companions and stumbles into a dazzling quest. Journey to the River Sea is one of those extremely satisfying adventure stories, and while the way it's put together is familiar, it is still an original read. Those who think that it is boring must learn that not all good books are laugh-and-explosion-a-minute stories. This book is filled with charm, and you won't regret reading it. Pick it up with an open mind and you will be very pleased, trust me!

Anyone who read Harry Potter should love the secret of Platform 13. It takes place in England. To be more specific, it takes place in London. The book is about a secret island hidden behind a gump, a secret door that only opens for nine days every nine years. There are many wild creatures on the Island, along with ordinary humans. The main charactors are an ogre named Hans, an old Wizard named Cor(short for Cornelius), a fey named Gurkie, a hag named Odge, and Ben, a regular human. Hans, Cor, Gurkie and Odge set off to find the long lost son of the King and Queen. To find out what happens next, you'll have to read The Secret of Platform 13. I really liked this book

This book was written years before Harry ever wound up on a publisher's desk, and it should not be viewed in comparison to J.K. Rowling's books. The value of Platform 13 comes in the delightful opportunities for imagination and discussion when an adult and a child read it together. We used this book for a mother/daughter group and had wonderfully creative time addressing points in Ms. Ibbotson's book. What atmosphere is the best place for a gump, and where would be the best place to find a gump in this country? If YOUR child was stolen, who would you send to rescue him or her - Odge and her friends or the harpies? (Moms had a surprising answer for this one.) Is it true that "when children behave badly it is nearly always the fault of those who bring them up"? Other quotes that sparked spirited debate included, "when you have worked and worked for something, it is almost impossible to believe that you can fail", and "it doesn't matter what your home is like - it's that it's yours that matters". This is an ingeniously creative fantasy for pre-teens, and for those adults who can still see magic in the art of storytelling. If you open your mind and your imagination you'll love this book for what it offers, and not find it necessary to make comparisons. Oh yes, if you're all grown up, don't forget to check out the harpie with a handbag, who bears a curious resemblance to a former prime minister...

The Secret of Platform 13 is at least as much fun - maybe more fun - for adults as for kids. The book is peopled - really - by magical characters who live on the Island as well as "up here". Why "peopled"? Because despite assorted unusual (to us) physical characteristics - tremendous size, horrendous smell, blue teeth, extra toes, single eyes - the characters have human emotions,insecurities, goals, and relationships. Maybe that's why Platform 13 was so much fun to read - after all, aren't books often better when we can identify with or recognize the characters? Though this is a children's book, adults may be more familiar with English terms such as "nappies" or "bangers," and may better appreciate the horridly spoiled boy's mother's "maneater" perfume and magenta toe polish. Like the Potter books, Platform 13 has multiple dimensions that will appeal to all readers who like an adventure with characters who are a blend of real and offbeat. I'm a grown-up who usually reads books that are supposedly more sophisticated, but I thoroughly enjoyed Platform 13, and look forward to enjoying it a second time as my children read it and we talk about it.

Being close to halloween I chose this book to read for enjoyment as well as a way to fulfill an assignment for a class I am taking. The book jacket told of a young English boy's journey as he tries to help some creepy and strange spirits find a new home after being evicted from their castle where they have spent the last 500 years. Along the way other ghosts, vampire bats and spooks help the young man on his way to Parliament to plead with the government to help the homeless spirits. The unusual array of characters really adds to the story.
I think the story has enough humor and "grossness" to keep young readers entertained. Humphrey the Horrible and his ghost family are an interesting bunch. His father, the Gliding Kilt, his mother,the Hag, his sister, Weeping Winifred, and his brother George, the Screaming Skull together make up the leaders of a band of residence challenged ghouls.
Besides being entertaining the story also has some serious yet subtle messages in it. Most of the ghosts are being misplaced because their old homes and haunts are being destroyed by progress. Old castles are being turned into hotels, haunted houses are being torn down to make subdivisions, and old barns are even being turned into bowling alleys. "Hard to haunt with all those bright lights and bowling balls making all that rachet!" says one ghost. This one underlying plot may make readers think about and form opinions about how progress affects our world.
I would recommend this book for young readers. While not being very scary at all it is entertaining and there may even be a few lessons to be learned.

This is the first book of Ibbotson's that I've read and I enjoyed it. It makes you laugh, makes you think, and makes you care. I think it's a great book for children mainly because it makes them think while having fun. There's enough 'gross'ness to say 'ughhhh!' and laugh, giggle and shows how we can DO something about the world around us if we really cared and tried to contribute positively to it.

It's a well-written book.

This book is one of the last Ibbotson's I read, but i loved it just the same. Parts of it may not be as wonderful as Which Witch? or Not Just A Witch, but it is a great book I would highly recommend it for relaxing fantasy literature. I also find it better in different ways than the other books. The characters seem more