Once upon a time there was an enchanting novel about a young boy called Sebastian Darke. Well actually he was half elf, half human and he wanted to become a jester. But he wasn't very good at telling jokes.  So one day he set out with trusty talking buffalope, called Max, to try and to find his fortune at the court of King Septimus. On the way he met a tiny knight called Cornelius who could fight off whole armies, and together they rescued the beautiful Princess Kerin from nasty brigands.  But then they had to fight her evil uncle, the king himself, with a few bad jokes thrown in along the way. What an adventure it was!

Philip Caveney has written a charming modern fairy tale creating a group of characters that mimic familiar storybook heroes but all with distinctive personalities, which make them breathe with a great deal of warmth and fun.  Sebastian Darke: Prince of Fools is a gently paced adventure that pre-teen children especially will find amusing. Perhaps More undemanding than the Harry Potter saga or the witty sophistication of the Shrek movies, it's still an enjoyable yarn with likeable characters especially the battling midget, Cornelius and the deadpan woolly humour of Max . 

Whilst Caveney borrows from the usual stock of fairytale traditions - the innocent hero, the beautiful princess, the evil king, enchanted potions, swordfights, turreted castle - he adds a light pinch of original imaginative ideas and mixes them all up into a very palatable read.  Bob Lea's uncomplicated illustrations add to the magical mix. Not surprisingly, this is the first of many adventures planned for Sebastian. So be prepared for the next clash of corny jokes and gallant swordplay.