Meg's Castle

Meg and Mog

by Helen Nicoll, Jan Pieńkowski

When Meg and her friends spend the night in an old castle, they are frightened by a ghost and fight a knight

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Adventure, 20th Century

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Helen Nicoll was born in Natland, Westmorland, in 1937. She was educated at schools in Bristol; Dartington Hall, Devon; and Froebel Education Institute, London. Helen Nicoll married Robert Kime in 1970 and they have one daughter and one son.

Helen Nicoll was a television producer with the BBC for many years. It was here, as Producer of the children's educational series WATCH, that she first met Jan Pienkowski. After working together for four years, they decided it was time to preserve their creativity in book form for future generations of children to enjoy. The result is the immensely popular MEG AND MOG series.

In addition to the MEG AND MOG series, Helen has a long and varied association with Puffin - as editor of the Junior Puffin magazine THE EGG from 1977 - 1979, as compiler of the popular children's poetry anthology POEMS FOR SEVEN YEAR OLDS AND UNDER, illustrated by Michael Foreman, and through her partnership with Puffin, the enormously popular series of Puffin Cover to Cover story tapes of which Helen is the Producer.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

They have to fight the Green Knight! What a fantastic tale!

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published in 1975, this fifth entry in author Helen Nicoll and illustrator Jan Pieńkowski's witchy picture-book series follows Meg, Mog and Owl as they head off for a stay at a nearby castle. When a fearsome ghost wakes the three late at night, Meg's spell - "Helmet and shield / And 6 foot spear / Ghastly ghost / Please disappear" - transforms him into George the knight, and the foursome are soon involved in an all-out battle to defend the castle from an intruder.

Although I have enjoyed the Meg and Mog books, appreciating their combination of simple text and vivid illustrations, which I think admirably suited to entertain younger preschool children, I would not describe them, generally speaking, as witchy favorites. That said, I had to give Meg's Castle an extra star for the artwork, which I found particularly outstanding. The colors used, the composition of shapes on each page, the layout of the text: everything combined to make this a visual treat! The scene in which the trio climbs the orange spiral stairs against the backdrop of a yellow page evokes a sense of motion, while the facing page, which shows them peacefully asleep in a red bed, against a deep blue backdrop, suggests (despite the bright colors) calmness. The black pages, during their night-time scare with the ghost, when only their eyes, and the text itself (in green, pink and white) can be seen, successfully communicates both humor and chills. All in all, this may be my favorite Meg and Mog book thus far, and is a distinct triumph for illustrator Jan Pieńkowski.

[Elizabeth Jamieson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, a funny picture book! I really like the use of text and how it changes shape or looks like it’s going up the staircase. Very engaging for little ones and easy to read.

[Nat · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars simply for slipping the word portcullis into a children’s book . But seriously I love the bold illustrations in this one and I know my son loved me reading the Meg series to him when he was younger and couldn’t see me but these books helped me form a connection with him with voice so I’m thankful for them

[Portable · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meg and Mog has been one of my favourite books ever since I was a little girl. There's something about Jan Pieńkowski's vivid illustrations that just makes me smile. Our children also love the adventures of witch Mog, her stripy cat Mog, and Owl. If you want to take a learning angle, these stories are great for thinking about magic, recipes (ingredients for spells) and rhymes. But I love them just because they are so much fun. I won't write long individual reviews for the books in this series, as they all have their moments of delight!

**Some more challenging vocabulary in this one, but great for knight enthusiasts**

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the more trippy Meg & Mog books. I like the the feast consisted of chicken, tomatoes, bread, an apple, and jelly. And that Meg got tipsy on whatever booze they were drinking it seems!

[✟Roxanne✟(Death by Book Avalanche) ☠ · Rating 2 out of 5]

My daughter enjoyed this but me...not so much. Meg, Mog and Owl stay in a haunted castle where they are haunted by a ghost, then two knights appear and it just gets really random. There wasn't any flow to the story and to be honest what kind of children's book contains the word 'Portcullis'?

[Clouds · Rating 2 out of 5]

We have four Meg & Mog books now - and the only one I don't like much.

Fin, my 2 yr old son, loves it just as much as the others but he can't write reviews yet, so you've only got my word to go on.

Meg, Mog and Owl go to stay in a castle. Just because. They get haunted by a ghost - fair enough. Meg does a spell on the ghost and it turns into a white knight... OK, let's just roll with it. Then a green knight shows up and attacks the castle. The white knight enlists the gang to help defend the castle (bonus points for getting in the word portcullis - and Fin likes the bit where Mog's arrow goes through Meg's hat). They repel the mysterious green night, then have a feast (the white knight is called George) and then they go home.

Now... kid's books don't exactly need an ironclad plot line, but still... WTF?

They were scared of George as a ghost. They were coerced into helping him defend the castle because he had a sword. They have no understanding of the dispute between George and the green knight... old George could well be the evil conqueror who murdered all who called the castle their home, and the green knight is just trying to reclaim is rightful home... But somehow fighting alongside each other and experiencing the thrill of victory they all become buddies...

I can't help but feel there are many shades of grey beneath all this, that Nicoll's just not telling us about...
Perhaps I've read too much George RR Martin recently...

After this I read: Tehanu

[Ellie Abrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 'Meg and Mog' series were always a favourite of mine as a child and this enjoyment has also been shown in the reading of this to my younger brother. The illustrations are so simplistic, yet do not fail to grasp the attention of the reader. In this story, Meg, Mog and Owl are staying in a castle which comes under attack from ghosts and a knight. A simplistic story perfect for sharing, or for young reader to begin reading independently.

[Anna || BooksandBookends · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick, light and entertaining read for young ones. Meg, Mog and the gang have gone to a haunted castle and end up sharing a feast, having to cast spells and battling knights. It's a lovely colourful book though it does have some challenging vocabulary at times, it's an enjoyable book to share. A classic and favourite for good reason.

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful book that young readers will love, especially those who are already following the adventures of Meg and Mog! In our case it was read whilst visiting a local castle so it was very appropriate, too!

[Louise · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meg and the gang stay in a haunted castle. The author manages to slip in the word portcullis, not frequently seen in childrens books.

[Angela Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one will probably be a bigger hit with the kids when they are old enough to understand it. Not a favourite of the 18-month-old. Probably not enough pictures of Mog.

[Ste Bristolco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great and wacky picture book

[Kirsty Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I liked the boom Boom Boom sounds” - comments from miss 5 yo

Meg and logs series are fun quick stories that are entertaining for younger children . With rhymes and simple stories to follow, bright colorful illustrations as well as plenty of ways parents can interact with the story they are a great addition to a child’s book shelf

[Kylie Abecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Meg and Mog stories are cute and funny and great for early readers. I remember practicing my reading with Meg and Mog when I was little, whilst waiting to visit our family doctor, Dr. Cornwall. Even though I was always so sick, I loved going to the doctor, because I always loved reading a new Meg and Mog story.

[Adrian · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, I shall be going down a Meg & Mog rabbit hole after Tania found a stash of them in a charity shop and was appalled when I told her that I had never read them!

In this installment Meg, Mog & Owl go and stay in a castle where they are pestered by ghosts and knights.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Meg’s Castle (Meg & Mog)”
The white knight defeats the green knight in an epic magically battle!
…

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

My cat is at present sitting on this picture book. After I’ve finished playing with the cat I’ll reread relook at this piece of art.

[Olwyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Defined my style forever

[Pennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of fun with Meg, Mog, Owl and a knight! My daughter keeps requesting to read this book for our bedtime story.

[Shahrun · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love the brilliant, bright illustrations. They really bring the story to life.