Tim and Rose live with their parents and animals on the edge of a forest. One day, when the siblings realise their beloved cow Lucy is missing, they set off to
look for her. They stand shocked at the sight of a giant hand reaching down for Lucy. It snatches her up from a field and disappears into the Dark Forest. Tim and Rose know this is a dangerous no-go zone, but with hardly a blink, they dash after their cow.
Inside the Dark Forest are plants to distract and deceive them, tree goblins and all manner of strange creatures. Luckily, most are friendly not foe and are pleased to help Tim and Rose on their quest.
Through the forest, across a shark infested river and into the terrible cold of snow capped mountains go the siblings. Just when they think all is lost, they are saved – only to be in even more danger! Will they ever see their parents or Lucy the cow again?
Bad Jelly the Witch is a much loved story by Spike Milligan – never more so than in NZ. This story was always my favourite on the children’s radio show on Sunday mornings when I was a child, and I know it was my friend’s favourite too. Apparently listening in on Sundays has made kiwi kids the biggest fans of this classic children’s spooky adventure story, and now it’s back in animated and new picture book form.
This rhyming story is a brilliant retelling, whilst keeping all of the fun and deliciously scary things kiwi kids loved back in the 1970’s & 80’s. The illustrations are full of action, emotion, courage and of course callousness on behalf of the very famous witch herself – Badjelly.
The language in this rhyming picture book is more sophisticated, so will appeal to those reading it and older children listening or reading it themselves. After 7 years in the workings, Mukpuddy Animation have now given a new generation of kiwi kids the thrills and cheers of Tim, Rose, Binklebonk, Jim the Eagle and Mudwiggle, as they save Lucy the cow and come up against Badjelly!
Author – Ryan Cooper
Illustrator – Róisín Kelly
Picture Book – For all Bad Jelly the Witch fans, no matter how old.
(2025, Duckling Publishing, Action, Adventure, Animals, Courage, Family, Fantasy, Humour, Magic, Classic story, Companion to TV show, Witches, Giant Eagle, Giant, Rusty Lion, Thrilling, Danger, Mukpuddy, Goblins, Shark)