By Ceci Jenkinson

Faber & Faber £4.99

Part of the Oli and Skipjacks Tales of Trouble series.

Oli Biggles and his mate Skipjack are a right pair of terrors, but as their increasing war of attrition with hairy bus driver Mr Grimble goes to the extent of suggesting that he is a cat burglar and releasing his garden gnomes from slavery (stealing them and putting them in the park) things are going to get pretty scary. Soon they are breaking into the grounds of the home of the snobby Bullionaire family (at the same time as the real cat burglar), dealing with ferocious guard dogs and avoiding the grasp of the police. Whilst sister Tara gets down to a spot of old fashioned blackmail only friendly Sid the Pizza shop owner will offer help, and of course the seemingly friendly Reggie, neighbour to Mr Grimble.

This moves along at a swift pace and is complete with drawngs and even a pirate. We are not told why the pirate is fond of gnomes, or why a massive diamond is being loaned to such a small town, but these are minor niggles. What we get are some jolly japes that go a little over the top and even the turning of a mouse into a lion (Mrs Grimble) .