The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay

The story of the ill-tempered but delicious self-perpetuating Magic Pudding is an Australian icon a bit like the dog on the tucker box really. But I had never actually read it till now, its centenary year. What a treat!

It is the perfect, hilariously illustrated read-aloud for anyone from 6 to 106. A wonderful mixture of quite sophisticated wit, somehow both rustic and pompous, and sheer slapstick. Full of songs and ballads, the language is rich, of its period, and dramatic. Here is top-hatted Uncle Wattleberry who has been mistaken for one of the puddin’ thieves and set upon by two of our heroes, for instance: ‘Nothing short of felling you to earth with an umbrella could possibly atone for the outrage. You are a danger to the whisker growing public’.

If you have not already made its acquaintance this 100th birthday year could be an excellent time to do so. Reviving the national enjoyment of steak and kidney pudding, boiled jam roll and apple dumpling could also be rather a good idea.


Kathy Kozlowski has worked in children’s books for almost 50 years, and currently offers recommendations at Readings Kids.