"In this comic fairy tale, a Cinderella-esque orphan flees her mean older siblings and happens upon a witch's magic walking stick. The witch typically uses the stick for 'turning birds into bats or squirrels into goldfish,' and the other creatures' anxious frowns arouse distinct anti-crone sympathies. Fortunately for the local fauna, the stick has 'just a bit of magic left' after so many bad deeds. More fortunately still, the witch shakes the stick at a friendly spotted dog, who playfully grabs it and trots away. Meanwhile, elsewhere in the forest, young Margaret has grown tired of sleeping on straw and doing chores for her bossy older siblings. She sneaks away from home just in time to find the stick and engage the pooch in a game of fetch. As in her Lulu's Hat, Meddaugh delights in humble enchanted accessories, and as in her Martha books, she can't resist a dog rescue. This book offers a bit of both, with Margaret trumping her oppressors, foiling what's left of the witch's magic and acquiring a terrific new pet. Meddaugh's ink-and-watercolor sketches capture the characters' attitudes and enhance the comedy of the writing, as when Margaret silently arches an eyebrow at the audience, preparing to confront her nasty brother. Little guys finish first, and act benevolently, in this good-natured (and good-to-nature) story. Ages 4-8. (Aug.)" Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

'\"This droll original fairy tale treats timeless themes of injustice and comeuppance. . . . Younger siblings will particularly sympathize with the deceptively tiny Margaret, and cheer her on as she exacts her fierce, gleeful vengeance upon her oh-so-deserving elders.\" --Booklist'

'\"Meddaugh sets her tale in the kind of archetypically bucolic landscape where magic of the stouter sort happens, with dramatically effective contrasts between

full-page pictures of the witch\'s looming woods and spaciously set spot

illustrations of Margaret getting the better of her bossy older sister and

brother.Wishing for a good read-aloud? You\'ve got it.\" --Horn Book, starred'

'\"Illustrated with watercolor and ink in a style that will put readers in mind of William Steig, Meddaugh's dry, quirky tale of the "little guy" triumphing over adversity will have children smiling and cheering.\" --School Library Journal'

Ever since their parents died, Margaret's brother and sister have made her do all the chores. When she's had enough, Margaret runs away. In the forest, she meets a sad old lady who says a dog has run off with her walking stick. Little does Margaret know that the old lady is really a miserable witch. Full color.