I love that cranky raven. My kids do too. I recommend the Mortimer books to all humans, whether saddled with offspring or not. ( )

A third collection of short stories featuring young Arabel Jones and her beloved raven, Mortimer. In The Mystery of Mr. Jones's Disappearing Taxi, Arabel and Mortimer confront a thief who's been stealing library books. In Mortimer's Cross, Arabel's horrid great-aunt Olwen comes to visit, with disastrous results for our favorite raven. And in Mortimer's Portrait in Glass, a family trip to Ireland brings the usual mad-cap adventures...

These stories, illustrated by Quentin Blake, are ideal for the younger, beginning chapter-book reader who is not yet ready for Aiken's longer fiction. Full of that unique sense of humor that so distinguishes Aiken's work, the stories will be sure to please fans of Arabel and her raven companion, Mortimer. Please note: while available as a collection, these stories are also available individually in the UK. ( )