Heggerty Haggerty the witch and her companions, Broomstick and Blackcat, return in this amusing picture-book romp. When Heggerty Haggerty is given a pair of trainers (sneakers), she starts a get fit campaign in her village, and soon everyone is jogging. But when the day of the great race arrives, Broomstick puts a spell on what he imagines are Heggerty Haggerty's shoes, hoping to help her win. What he doesn't realize is that the shoes are meant for shopkeeper Mrs. Bates, who finds herself sprinting up and down buildings, and through trees and rivers, without being able to stop. It's up to Heggerty Haggerty to set things right...

Heggerty Haggerty and the Great Running Race is the second picture-book I have read to feature these characters, following upon Heggerty Haggerty and the Flying Saucer. The books in this series are based upon the Heggerty Haggerty television program that ran on Yorkshire Television, beginning in 1983. I'm not entirely sure, but based upon the one episode I have been able to watch, over on youtube (see HERE), each book presents the story and artwork of one episode from the television show. In any case, I found the story here amusing, and noted that it was once again Broomstick (much as in the previous story I read) who caused the trouble, through his mischievous use of Heggerty Haggerty's spell book. The accompanying artwork from Peter Rush (also used in the television program) was engaging. I don't know that these books are destined to become personal favorites, but as someone interested in witchy tales, I do find them entertaining, and wish I could track down more episodes of the television show. Author Elizabeth Lindsay has been reissuing some of these books, together with new illustrations, through amazon, so perhaps that will herald a new period of interest in them. Recommended to picture-book readers who enjoy witchy tales. ( )