Meg, Mog and Owl all want to go on a picnic in this sixth volume of the Meg and Mog series, each dreaming of the perfect motorcar to get them there. When Meg brews up a spell - "Boot and bonnet / Rattle and clang / Make me a car / That goes with a bang" - a surprising hybrid of their various imaginings emerges, leaving them almost satisfied. Unfortunately, this enchanted conveyance isn't very good at conveying, and after multiple disasters and crashes, the three resort to the good old-fashioned broomstick to get where they're going.

Published in 1975, the same year as Meg's Castle, this entry in Helen Nicoll and Jan Pieńkowski's witchy picture-book series will keep young children entertained. With both narrative and visual humor, a trio of quirky characters that children will find appealing, and vividly colored illustrations that will grab their attention, there is plenty here to engage the imagination and tickle the funny bone. Recommended to all young readers (and listeners) who enjoy humorous witchy fare, particularly if they have read other titles from this series. ( )