Badjelly the Witch

In hardback and in colour, with the CD, this has got to be the definitive version of Badjelly the Witch. If your household has small people in it, you need a copy. If you know small people, they need a copy. If you’re like me and grew up in the late 70s, you probably need a copy too, for nostalgia’s sake.

Rachel Moore, The Reader

It more than stands up after 45 years. Milligan’s original handwritten text is delightful, full of eyes in the OOs and Ys with antlers like stags. The larger illustrations are also brilliant, including the classic portrait of Fluffybum the cat, drawn of course from his best side: behind. In the story itself, the language is constantly surprising and charmingly punctuated: They came to a big big mountain, but it had a big white beard on. “What a silly mountain! Why has it got a beard” said Rose, a little mouse popped his head out of a hole and said ‘He’s got a beard because hes lost his razor” (sic). Milligan’s madcap delivery in the radio play brings the story even more alive, barrelling through it in much the way I imagine he told it to his daughter Jane at bedtime all those years ago. The music too, transported me straight back to where I first heard it, in my grandmother’s floral-carpeted lounge...Recommended for ages 5-100.

Holly Walker, The Sapling

Although Spike penned plenty of songs and stories to delight young ones - and mad old EastLife writers too! - perhaps none is as amazingly strange, delightful and weird as Bad Jelly the Witch . . . the most beautiful gift of nonsense

Eastlife

I used to listen to this on the radio on Sunday mornings as a kid - it's good to have it for my kids to read!

John, Good Reads

Great book for reading aloud to kids. They all love the characters especially Fluffy Bum the cat. I have read this to my own children numerous times and now to my grandchildren . . . the recording, narrated by Spike Milligan, is great.

Ash, Good Reads

my favorite book of all time

Stephanie, Good Reads

Read this book (in Spike's own handwriting!) to my children countless times . . . Glorious nonsense!!

Kay, Good Reads

The radio play used to air on Sunday mornings every single weekend when I was growing up . . . I never got sick of hearing it.

Lynley, Good Reads

I recall reading this book aloud at the dinner table many many years ago. My family were quite reserved types, but not long into the story we were all in stitches. A delightful tale for all ages. Loved it then and love it now. Recommend to all.

Margot, Good Reads

This is the book that made me want to be a writer. Thanks Spike!

Peter Millett, Good Reads

A book every child should read.

Les, Good Reads

Hilarious, scary story for kids. It's Spike Milligan, need I say more.

Deborah, Good Reads