Alone and Unobserved

Although Aiken is more famous for her Wolves books, this is my favorite of her various series. The stories in question are collected in the following books:

• Arabel’s Raven
• Arabel and Mortimer
• Mortimer’s Cross
• Mortimer Says Nothing
• Mortimer and Arabel

The books work on two levels: first, as simple stories for very young children (although there are a fair amount of Britishisms that children in the United States might not understand); and second, as hilarious British comedies that are likely to appeal to the adults that are reading the books aloud.

Arabel Jones is a sweet, obedient four-year-old girl who lives in a fictitious suburb of London with her father, a self-employed taxi driver, and her mother, a part-time temp/part-time homemaker. Arabel’s best friend is a stubborn, laconic and omnivorous raven named Mortimer, whose favorite pastimes (though varied and variable) include eating inedibles such as stairs, plates, and fake berries; collecting unmentionables such as half-dead wasps; and apprehending criminals and undesirables such as the notorious Hat Gang.

Conclusion: Highly recommended for people who like to laugh and are young at heart.