Mr Badger. How I like to see Mr Badger passing me every morning. Mr Badger says ‘Good morning, Alegernon’ every morning and waves his arm at me. He is nice, not many people greet me but he never fails to do so. The day Sir Cecil Smothers-Carruthers had the mirror moved into the hall is the day I got to greet Mr Badger properly.

Mr Badger stepped through the mirror into Boubles-land. Sir Cecil greeted him as he would a guest, Mr Badger needed no ticket in Boubles-land. I took great pleasure in asking Mr Badger ‘How do you do’ he’d greeted me so many times it felt good to return the favour and to shake his hand.

Sir  Cecil and I eagerly showed Mr Badger around Boubles-land (pronounced Boublay-land). We showed him the enormous funfair including a carousel with its twenty-seven golden horses, two chariots, a dragon and a wooden ostrich.

After our fun we sat down to enjoy a picnic including a big banana cake I made myself before we headed to the moat. We hopped into a boat and enjoyed a trip beneath the castle. I took charge of the boat, with my big hands I had no trouble.

After adventures with the pirates I delivered Mr Badger back to the mirror. I hope he landed safely, I had to throw him a fair way, apes have strong arms so it was no trouble. I look forward to seeing Mr Badger tomorrow morning.

Ed: Bit late to get this book for Christmas or Chanukah but if you’re lucky it might arrive in time for Hogswatch. Try Booktopia.