It seems almost sacrilege to give a Patricia Coombs book anything other than a rave review. After all, her Dorrie the Little Witch series was a staple of my early childhood reading, checked out of the library again and again, and I have also enjoyed many of her non-Dorrie titles, from The Magic Pot to The Magician and McTree. My discovery, as an adult, that there are a number of Coombs' books that I have not yet read, has been very exciting.

Unfortunately, after requesting Tilabel through Inter-Library Loan, I find that it does not live up to my (admittedly high) expectations. Truth be told, three stars was probably a little generous - influenced by my inability to conceive of a Coombs book not being fabulous. The story, in which a young groundhog's work ethic is misrepresented to the Queen, is apparently based on a German folktale, but no attribution is given, and I was so indifferent that I couldn't be bothered to research it. I can see elements of Rumpelstiltskin here, but not enough to give the tale any interest. The illustrations had no more appeal for me than the narrative, looking crowded and muddled. Such a disappointment, when I was expecting to adore this! ( )

Tilabel wants to play, not do chores. Her mother tries to teach her various skills - spinning, weaving, sewing - but Tilabel fails miserably. The queen invites Tilabel to work in the castle based on the mother's fib that Tiladel loves to work. When Tiladel fears she will anger the queen by not doing the work, old groundhog women appear offering to complete the task in exchange for a promise.
Black and white illustrations complement the text. ( )