Fruit and Nutcase

The third title in Jean Ures acclaimed series of humorous, delightful and poignant stories written in the form of diaries and letters which make them immediately accessible to children. This is the story of how Mandy learns to cope with her untidy life and finally emerges triumphant. Mandy Small has trouble writing so Cat, her teacher, suggests that she tells her life story into a tape recorder. So begins Mandys funny and sometimes sad story of life with her loving but chaotic parents Dad, the Elvis look-alike, and Mum, whose idea of a special meal is burnt toast! Then theres school, where the horrible Tracey Bigg picks on Mandy and her timid friend, Oliver, not to mention Old Misery Guts, the landlady and Nan, who thinks that Mandys parents arent fit to look after her. With so many things to worry about, Mandy begins to think that shes in danger of turning into a real Fruit and Nutcase! Mandys story, told in the form of diary into a tape recorder, is a funny and often moving account of a childs everyday life, with all its difficulties. Hilariously illustrated by Mick Brownfield.