Meg, Mog and Owl go camping in this fifteenth picture-book devoted to their doings, with predictably disastrous results. While Owl and Mog both encounter difficulties, in their hunt for food, the dinner that Meg brought along in her cauldron is stolen by a fox. Then their canoe drifts off while the three cower in fright as night descends, and Meg's spell to light a fire - "Fire! Fire! / Strike a light / Flash bang wallop / Get a fright" - produces a dragon instead. Fortunately, he proves an agreeable addition to the party, providing fire, and transport home the next day...

I enjoyed this entry in the Meg and Mog series, which, I was tickled to see, is dedicated to an "Abigail." As always, the combination of simple text, split between the narrative itself and the various exclamations and sound-words produced by the characters, and the vividly colorful artwork makes for an enjoyable picture-book experience. The promotional blurb at the front of the book - "Children will love exploring colors, sounds and shapers in the MEG AND MOG stories, which are perfect for sharing or reading aloud" - nails it on the head, I think. These books have appeal both as stories aimed at young children who enjoy witchy fare and are fans of the characters, and as concept books which explore things like colour and sound. All in all, Meg Up the Creek is a worthy addition to this classic series, which entertains and amuses while subtly teaching as well. ( )