(3) 4-6 Translated by Anthea Bell. Illustrated by F. J. Tripp. Friends Kasperl and Seppel pursue the infamous robber Hotzenplotz after he steals Kasperl's grandmother's musical coffee mill. The clumsy duo finds itself snared in the robber's den when plans go awry. All ends well with a fairy's aid. Though the silliness is old-fashioned, this folklore-inspired story, first published in Germany in 1962, has some kid-appeal. Black-and-white drawings add levity to the escapades.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute