Fairytale Ninjas: Two and a Half Wishes
Paula Harrison, illustrated by Mónica de Rivas
Harper Collins Children’s Books

In this third story of Goldie, Snow and Red aka the fairytale ninjas residents of Hobbleton in the magical kingdom of Waybeyond, the three friends encounter what looks like one of the new guests from Goldie’s parents’ hotel, out wandering in Shadowmoon Forest. Having spoken to her, Goldie suspects Miss Raven is up to no good. Why is she carrying that empty jam jar? And why is she not concerned about the possibility of encountering a troll?

Seemingly this is a villainous enchantress: why else would she have a book about spells, something Goldie discovers later in the day when taking clean towels to Miss Raven’s room. That and a row of glass bottles on the chest of drawers set alarm bells ringing. But then Goldie hears a strange noise coming from one of the drawers and inside she finds that jam jar wherein is a very frightened fairy flying around. Goldie unscrews the lid and out bursts the fairy. Back comes Miss Raven at almost the same moment that Goldie’s Dad appears in the doorway. The next thing Goldie knows is that the woman is chanting a spell and her father is turning into a duck.

Goldie realises that, with the help of her friends, she must outwit this evil enchantress and thanks to the fairy she released, the girls have been granted three wishes. One of these can surely be used to turn her dad back into his normal self.

Young fractured fairytale enthusiasts, be they acquainted with Fairytale Ninjas or not, will enjoy this book with its magical setting, three strong girl protagonists who can perform ninja moves and mythical creatures, though I recommend new readers read the previous books beforehand. Plenty of Mónica de Rivas’ black and white illustrations break up the chapters.