Clover Twig and the Magical Cottage

Clover Twig #1

by Kaye Umansky, Johanna Wright (Illustrator)

When the sensible, reliable and always tidy Clover Twig goes to work for a messy witch, she discovers that the witch's cottage has quite a few secrets hiding inside of it!

Genres: Fantasy, Humor, Childrens, Middle Grade, Juvenile, Fiction, Young Adult

304 pages, Hardcover

First published April 7, 2008

Reviews

[Sanja_Sanjalica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun read. I love the cat, the cottage and the characters.

[Sarah Hipple · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very fun adventure story. I'd say it's intended for a middle grade audience, but I had fun reading it even though I'm not in that age group.

Clover Twig is an ordinary girl and a very bossy older sister. But since most of the book does not take place while she's at her home, by the end we forget that she's the bossy older sister type.

Clover wants to earn some extra money for her big family, so she decides she's going to go work for the local witch (that's Mrs. Eckles) who needs a live-in cook and housekeeper. Clover, of course, is great at both these things, and she gets hired.

What Clover doesn't know is that Mrs. Eckles' cottage is a flying cottage. The witch has a pretty intense sibling rivalry of her own, and Clover is going to have to deal with Mrs. Eckles' plotting Evil Sister, the flying house, and a few other obstacles.

Also, there is a very clumsy boy named Wilf who delivers Mrs. Eckles groceries (and breaks half of them) and he's super nice and much more fun than Clover. There's also Mrs. Eckles' huge, old cat Neville, and a whole cast of interesting characters at the witch's sister's Castle.

One question that's never answered or asked: who was Mr. Eckles?
Sorry, just thought of that.

But this was a really fun book. I especially liked the talking gate that was ridiculously nice when it'd been oiled and mean and grouchy when it hadn't.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my seven-year-old daughter's book. She made it half way and then wanted to move on to something else. I told her she needed to finish this one before she started a new one ("Do what I say, not what I do"). The next day she told me that she had finished so I skimmed quickly and asked her a few questions regarding the characters. When she couldn't tell me an answer, I told her we were going to start at the beginning - together.

I intended to read aloud only the first few chapters to get her interested enough in the characters that she could go on by herself. But the characters were so charming and the story so fun, that I wouldn't let her go on without me. (She told me that she wasn't able to do the voices I gave the characters in her head, so she preferred my continuing as well.) Reading this book out loud is especially fun as most of the characters require real voices. Allergic Miss Fly and obnoxious shoe-loving Mezmeranza were two of our favorites.

A great book for ages 6 - 12.

[Furrawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I had read this in first, second, or third grade, it would have been one of my favorite books. Darkly funny. There’s a good witch and a bad witch. A gate that becomes grumpy when it needs to be oiled. A cottage that can fly.

Inventive. Whimsical. Adorable.

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute children's book! A five star children's book in my opinion. It kept my attention as an eighteen year old and was well written. The characters are so cute! f you love Roald Dahl, magic, a cottagey atmosphere, and characters with silly names you would love this.

[E. Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten-year-old Clover Twig is a practical girl. She knows how to cook and clean and likes things neat and tidy. When she sees a classified ad for a housekeeper, she knows she is the girl for the job, even if it means moving in with the local witch, Demelza. Of course Clover Twig did not anticipate the many downsides to this job. Like the fact that this witch might be the most disorganized woman on the planet, or that a clumsy delivery boy would make her life difficult, or that a feud with Demelza’s evil sister – who has a PLAN – could put her in a lot of danger. This whimsical, exciting story will easily capture readers both young and old with its lighthearted magic and sense of humor. Johannah Wright’s wonderful illustrations are the icing on the cake. For sure, Clover Twig is a character you will not forget.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quirky, fun fantasy with a definite British sensibility. The title and charming cover had me from the start. Clover is a sensible girl who bravely takes on a housekeeping job with the local witch who lives in a cottage full of surprises. Add a clumsy boy named Wilf, an evil, scheming witch sister, and a sometimes clever cat and you have a tale that's original, fun, and sure to be a hit with 9-12 year olds (a great read aloud, too). The chapter seen through Neville the cat's eyes is hilarious!

[Lindsey Kaesemeyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall good! Rereading as an adult for nostalgia and it’s very much a YA/teen book. Cute characters and an interesting plot. One of the women has allergies and speaks/written as if she’s stuffed up, so would be hard to read as a kid.

[maryam · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's cool, really. Very amusing...

[Mahz °_° · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun read and I loved the illustrations, the characters, everything.

[Cuti-CLUE-les · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting story. The language used is definitely for an older reader but well done with good characters and some nice illustrations throughout.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clover Twig is sensible. She is dependable, thoughtful and unflappable - important qualities if you are going to work for a witch. That is what Clover, the eldest daughter of the Twig family, does in Clover Twig and the Magical Cottage. She answers Mrs. Eckles ad, and though she does not seem to fit all the qualifications (she doesn't look all that strong), she is hired. From that day on Clover lives and works at the magical cottage six days a week. Clover is unfazed by the oddities around her. She has a cottage to clean, food to purchase in town and meals to prepare. She has eggs to collect, gates to grease and a yard to tend. Wilf, the delivery boy from the town and Neville, the large, rather smelly, ugly cat become her friends and companions

Clover settles into life at the cottage easily. She gets used to the strange things going on around her and she learns there are witches who use magic for good and witches who use magic for ill. Mrs. Eckles is an ethical witch. She uses her magic when necessary and she accepts her responsibility for keeping the magic content. She cares for the cottage and makes sure it pleased with it place. Her sister, Mesmeranza, is just the opposite sort of witch. She wants everything and she wants it all for herself no matter what or who is hurt. In fact she doesn't care about that at all, she just wants everything.

When Mrs. Eckles plans to go to the May Fayre and leave the cottage in Clover's care, Mezmeranza launches her plan. It has one flaw - Mezmeranza doesn't know about Clover. She thinks Wilf is going to be at the cottage so she has misdirected her energies there. Clover Twig is sensible and undisturbed by the unusual happenings that surround magical things. She isn't scared or cowed and Mesmeranza doesn't expect that. Clover is a force to be reckoned with - even if much happens by accident - which sends Mesmeranza into a fury.

You'll smile at the outrageous shoes, allergies and antics that surround those who live at Castle Coldiron. You'll appreciate how those from the Magical Cottage takes things in stride and are satisfied by who they are and what they do - flaws and all. Clover Twig is a great friend, loving sister and loyal employee, plus she knows what is right and just. It all works out in the end but it takes a lot of effort, ingenuity and cleaning.

Mesmeranza doesn't get her way and she is not happy! She has a new plan and this time it is directed straight at Clover. Read Clover Twig and the Perilous Path to see how the second tale unfolds. Magic is challenging but those who are true at heart come through unscathed in the end.

[Tessa McMillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

To help out her large family, young Clover Twig decides to look for work. Clover finds an advertisement to be a housekeeper for Mrs. Eckles: a well-known witch who owns an odd, old cottage in the country. Clover applies for the position and Mrs. Eckles hires her. As Clover begins her job, she is told about the cottage’s powers, like its ability to fly. One day while Mrs. Eckles is away, Mesmeranza—Mrs. Eckles evil sister—gets through the cottage’s protective magic and flies away with the cottage, but Clover, Clover's friend, Wilf, and Neville, the cat, are trapped inside.

Umansky's story is a spunky fairytale that will have readers cheering Clover on through her many adventures with the flying cottage. However, Wright’s illustrations can seem primitive or naïve because they do not match Umansky's intelligent narrative. There is a sequel, Clover Twig and the Perilous Path, but it is not as well written as this book. Clover Twig and the Magical Cottage can be a stand-alone story. With the way Umansky wrote the book, it would be a great read-aloud for any age group.

(Found on Children's Compass Chronicle: http://childrenscompasschronicle.blog...)

[Bridget R. Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clover is a practical sort of girl. Her family needs more income. Her father's disabled and the family has many mouths to feed. In light of their situation, Clover applies to be the local witch's cleaning girl. The wages are good and as witches go, Mrs. Eckles is not so bad. Cover is content to keep the cottage and gardens tidy. Her contentment is soon complicated by Mrs. Eckles' sister's plot to steal the cottage. With help from unlikely sources (clumsy Wilf and witch's cat Neville), Clover must save the day.

What I thought: This was a good solid book. The story was original but at the same time familiar enough so that I wasn't put off by the fantastic bits. (I'm a low fantasy kind of girl.) I like that the characters aren't stereotypical. Mrs. Eckles is not your average witch just as Clover isn't your usual girl. The uneasy friendship between Clover and Wilf will likely increase the book's appeal. This is not a girl book or a boy book. It's a good book that many will enjoy. Recommended for fans of Michael Buckley's Sisters Grimm series. Will there be a sequel? I hope so.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clover Twig is a clever and strong girl. When the village witch, Mrs. Eckles, advertises for a live-in housekeeper, Clover jumps at the chance to help her family (and have her own room). The cottage quickly comes together under Clover's capable hands. However, life is not meant to run smoothly for the little house. The evil Mesmeranza has a diabolical plan for the cottage which of course involves just the right outfit, a spectacular hairdo, and the perfect pair of red shoes! Wait, how could I forget cake?! A scrumptious cake with white icing and a big red cherry is crucial to Mesmeranza's evil doings. Can Clover protect her new home with the help of her clumsy friend Wilf and Mrs. Eckles' familiar, the mangy cat Neville?

A fun adventure full of quirky characters made this a quick and enjoyable read. I don't usually like silly fantasy, but for some reason this one worked. The characters are interesting and I found myself hoping that Wilf would get over his clumsiness and that Neville would get a proper bath so Clover wouldn't be so disgusted by him.

[Eva Mitnick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a charming story that takes fairy tale staples like the plucky peasant girl and the witch's cottage in the woods and uses a whimsical and slightly dry humor to create a fresh and entertaining fantasy. Mrs. Eckles' love and admiration for Neville (who exudes both an appalling stench and a huge personality), Mesmeranza's fascination with footwear, her prison guard's doomed love for her allergic cat-obsessed secretary, Wilf's clumsiness, and Clover's mania for tidiness are all entertaining. At one point, Mrs. Eckles suggests that Clover, to pass the time, should take a potion that causes her to go berserk and make a huge mess. "The effects only lasts an hour. Then you goes back to normal and cleans up. You'd enjoy that part," she adds drily.

Recommended as a light and diverting fantasy for grades 3 - 5.

[Callie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming. Clover Twig is hired to help Mrs. Eckles, a local witch, with her messy (and yes, magical) cottage. The witch's evil sister, Mesmeranza, wants more than anything to get her hands on the cottage, even though she has a perfectly good castle already. When Mrs. Eckles goes off to sell potions and ointments at the fair, she leaves the cottage in the care of Clover and a very clumsy neighbor boy, Wilf. Of course, Mesmeranza has been making elaborate plans to take advantage of this kind of opportunity, using tools she inherited from her grandmother - the Poncho of Imperceptability, Hypnospecs, the Bad Weather Umbrella - and chaos ensues. The focus is on the quirky, amusing characters more than the magical elements and some of Mrs. Eckles' cockney-style dialect may be a bit challenging for some readers.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun little story about a responsible, hard-working, clever heroine (Clover Twig), a bumbling but lovable sidekick (Wilf), a well-meaning but absent-minded witch (Mrs. Eckles), and an evil-intentioned but vain sister witch (Mezmeranza). There is an assortment of other hilarious characters as well. Adventure, danger, intrigue await--the Brits know how to write fun fantasy. Why only 3 stars? (It's more like 3.5).

First: the illustrations just didn't work for me: a little too whimsical and "light" for the story in my opinion.

Second: the dialogue contains some crude language (British slang--maybe not quite a recognizable to young American ears) that just felt a bit "old" for the audience. It won't jump out at most, probably, and generally fits with the character. Still....

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clover answers a want add to work for a witch and ends up with an adventure. Clover is sensible and hardworking, and when she encounters Mrs. Eckles she wins her over and starts to clean her unusual home. She meets Neville, the witch's cat, and Wilf, an errand boy with no coordination. When Mrs. Eckles goes to the fair, her evil sister, Mesmeranza, takes that opportunity to steal her cottage. Now, Clover must use all of her cunning to get the cottage back.

This is a fun, quick story with pictures in nearly every chapter. Many readers will come to like Clover and even Mrs Eckles. Another adventure follows so readers will be able to get more Clover. This would be a good book for readers not quite ready for The Sisters Grimm, or for fans of The Witch Family.

[Candycloud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interestingly good.

Clover: Sweet, clever, and determined; I liked Clover Twig. She had so sense of humour, though, and countless times I felt like yelling at the book "Clover, you idiot! Brighten up a bit!"

Wilf: Crikey, was he annoying in the first half of the book... I grew to like him, though. Eventually.

Neville: YOU ARE AWESOME! Seriously awesome! His character was really brought to life when he licked that potion. =o)

Should I borrow the next book? Clover Twig and the Perilous Path

[Anastasia Tuckness · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet little book set in that time and place where there are witches who live alone in a cottage in the woods and once a year they go off to the fair to peddle their wares. This year Clover (a village girl with too many siblings for her parents to feed) stays with the cottage when the witch goes away. Unfortunately the witch's evil sister comes to get the cottage, and mayhem ensues.

A familiar and fun setting and great characters (with some line drawings as well) make this book a humorous treat for those who like fairy tales.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's something cozy about this book, and I think it's Clover Twig herself. Clover comes to work at the Witch's house after seeing the posting "Wanted: storng gril to cleen." Clover puts everything to right (in her charming, no nonsense English style) and even manages to help save the day when the Witch's evil sister, Mezmeranza, steals the magical cottage with Clover and klutzy Wilf inside. Nice, magical read.

[Ami · Rating 5 out of 5]

My most fervent hope, at the moment, is that Kaye Umansky is busily writing a sequel to this delightful and utterly charming book. I absolutely loved the characters with their quirky personalities. I adored the narration and general flow of the plot. Mostly, I enjoyed giving a suitable voice to each character, especially the nasal Ms. Fly. Excellent book. I highly recommend it to old and young alike.

[Annie Oosterwyk · Rating 3 out of 5]

A charming and simple tale riddled with whimsy. Clover is a fearless, clever (and tidy) girl who is looking for work to help support her family while her father spends his time at the pub. She is hired by a witch to keep house.
The witch's evil sister is after the cottage and when Clover is left alone for the night things begin to happen. The tone is light and funny and although accidents happen, nothing bad ever does.

[Maggi · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 8yr old son really liked this book, it kept us entertained while I read him a chapter each night before bedtime for about a month. The heroine is a great little girl named Clover, but my son mostly loved her friend, Wilf. Wilf was an extremely clumsy but very helpful little sidekick. He cracked us up! (Of note, Even though I skipped a lot of the chapters about Mesmeranza (the bad witch with a funny shoe obsession), the story still made sense.)

[Varsha Seshan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you try to summarise the story of Clover Twig and the Incredible Flying Cottage, it sounds incredibly like the kind of boring, outdated fairy tale that should have been lost to collective memory years ago, but it is not. Told with a zest that keeps you reading, with characters that walk out of the pages and talk to you, Clover Twig's story twists and turns fairy-tales to suit a modern child ...
http://www.varshaseshan.com/blog/clov...

[Tracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clover Twig is my new favorite book character! Two young children, Clover, sensible and orderly, and Wilf, clumsy but well-meaning, become friends when they both go to work for a witch. Things get complicated and messy when the witch's evil sister gets involved. Fun for adults and kids alike.

[Kibbie Jensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book but really slow going, I'm hoping that there will be more adventures now that we have been introduced to the characters.... the books have got to get more exciting.

I read this to my daughter who was 5 she stayed about as interested as I did in the book.... about half way through she and I were done but I told her we needed to finish the book. I'm glad we did.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clover Twig is a delightful read from across the pond! Humorous and interesting, this tale of one girl's magical adventures will appeal to readers of anything from "Sisters Grimm" to "Olivia Kidney" and everything in between. The writing is solid and readers will have no problem being swept up from page one. There is something in this book for almost everyone. Ages 9 and up.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our second book by Kaye Umansky, whose books so far seem designed to be read out loud (with a certain level of dramatic expression) due to her specific and varied descriptions of her characters' voices. This is one more reason why it is not a good idea for Cabot to expect Carina to fall asleep quickly when I read to her.