The Usborne Oliver Moon Series

Children are often intrigued by magic and wizardry, even if it scares them (just a bit!). With the onset of the Harry Potter phenomenon, this fascination has become widespread, as older children devour both the JK Rowling’s books and the subsequent films. But what about the younger children? Where can they turn for their Halloween treat of fantasy, wizardry and adventure?

The answer has been brought to us by author, Sue Mongredien, with the creation of Oliver Moon. Published by Usborne, the Oliver Moon series of stories for children of ages six and up brings to life the crazy magical world of trainee wizard, Oliver Moon.

Oliver Moon - Why Children Will Love Him

A strong main character always makes for an engaging read, no matter at whom the book is aimed, and this series is no exception. Oliver is a likeable, fun-loving little wizard, with ordinary child characteristics and this makes it easy for young readers to identify with him. For instance, he finds his parents extremely embarrassing – who doesn’t?

Poor Oliver’s problems are accentuated by the inept attitude towards magic of his parents, and the oddities of the Witch Baby, Oliver’s tiny sibling. Not only does he have to contend with his rather strange home life, he wrestles with life at school, where, invariably, not everything tends to go to plan during his exploits. Sue Mongredien imbues the books in the series with both comic dialogue and incidents in the plots which will keep children laughing out loud and holding their attention.

A Taster of the Series – Oliver Moon and the Potion Commotion

This is the first adventure in the series. Oliver is identified to the reader immediately as a very competent young wizard, who desperately wants to win the annual school magic competition. Two obstacles stand in the way, however: another excellent trainee named Merlin Spoonbender and Oliver’s own magical parents who, quite appallingly to Oliver, have decided to give up magic and, instead, have taken to using modern gadgets to help them in their daily routines.

When Oliver discovers the competition judges need to see his home as part of the judging process, he challenges himself to re-teach correct wizarding behaviour to his

parents, and camouflages modern-day technology with magic. When the judges arrive, Oliver has to use all his ingenuity and magical ability to fool the judges in his attempt at winning the competition.

Features of the Book Series – Great for Young Readers

The text is quite a substantial size, for a mainly text-based reading book, which is helpful for children who are beginning to develop as confident, independent readers. The series is designed for children aged six years and upwards, although slightly younger children will also revel in these tales when read by an adult.

The language in each of these self-contained adventures is straightforward but entertaining and amusing. There is nothing in these stories which should cause children to become fearful or unnerved – especially at Halloween, when children are liable to become spooked by the slightest of things! Instead, youngsters will find action and comedy, and the happy ending which all children hope for in a book.

The first six of Oliver’s madcap adventures are listed below, and more are already available. Hopefully, for this clever little wizard and for his enthralled fans, there are many more to come!

Oliver Moon and the Potion Commotion (Usborne 2006, ISBN 9780746473063)

Oliver Moon and the Dragon Disaster (Usborne 2006, ISBN 9780746073070)

Oliver Moon and the Nipperbat Nightmare (Usborne 2007, ISBN 9780746077917)

Oliver Moon’s Summer Howliday (Usborne 2007, ISBN 9780746077924)

Oliver Moon’s Christmas Cracker (Usborne 2007, ISBN 9780746077931)

Oliver Moon and the Spell-Off (Usborne 2007, ISBN 9780746077948)

The Oliver Moon Series - comic wizard capers

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