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THUNDER RUMBLES

GEMMA CAIRNEY:I've always loved this book. It's called The Worst Witch. And it's all about a girl called Mildred Hubble who's a pupil at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches. So, it's no maths and history classes for Mildred. Instead she learns broomstick riding, potion making, spell casting.

GEMMA CAIRNEY:As soon as I read The Worst Witch, I wanted to swap schools and go to Miss Cackle's Academy instead. I guess it's never too late to learn.

GEMMA CAIRNEY:Mildred isn't exactly Miss Cackle's star pupil. She keeps smashing her broomstick into things, and getting her spells mixed up. And she's even afraid of the dark. Not exactly ideal for a witch, is it?

GEMMA CAIRNEY:Whoa, look at the face of Miss Hardbroom. She's the strict and scary headmistress of the school.

GEMMA CAIRNEY:She's always looking for reasons to make Mildred stay behind after class or give her extra lines. Even Miss Cackle, who's far nicer, doesn't think Mildred stands a chance in getting her Witches' Higher Certificate.

GEMMA CAIRNEY:Everything that happens to Mildred feels like the kind of stuff that happened to me at school. Making mistakes in class, trying to do well, but getting blamed when things go wrong. I knew exactly how Mildred felt even though I wasn't a witch. Jill Murphy, the writer, makes you wanna run out and join the school.

GEMMA CAIRNEY:Even though it's a gloomy building high on a mountain, it seems like such a fun place to be. Who wouldn't wanna know how to fly, or make a laughing potion?

GEMMA CAIRNEY:Mildred's also got the worst cat. It keeps falling off her broomstick, something Ethel, the know-it-all girl at school, starts teasing her about one morning. I always like reading this part.

GEMMA CAIRNEY:"I think Miss Cackle gave you that cat on purpose,' Ethel sneered. 'You're both as bad as each other.' 'Oh, be quiet,' said Mildred, trying to keep her temper. 'Anyway, it's not a bad cat. It'll learn in time.' 'Hmph. Like you did,' Ethel went on. 'Wasn't it only last week that you crashed into the dustbins?'

GEMMA CAIRNEY:'Look, Ethel,' Mildred said. 'You better be quiet, because if you don't, I shall…' 'Well?' 'I shall have to turn you into a frog and I don't want to have to do that.'

GEMMA CAIRNEY:Ethel gave a shriek of laughter. LAUGHS 'That's reallyfunny,' she crowed. 'You don't even know the beginners' spells, let alone ones like that.' Mildred blushed and looked very miserable. 'Go on, then,' cried Ethel, 'Go on then. If you're so clever, turn me into a frog. I'm waiting.'

GEMMA CAIRNEY:It just so happened that Mildred did have an idea of that spell. She'd been reading about it in the library. By now, everyone had crowded round, waiting to see what would happen, and Ethel was still jeering. It was unbearable.

GEMMA CAIRNEY:Mildred muttered the spell under her breath, and Ethel vanished, in her place stood a small pink and grey… pig."

PIG SNORTS

GEMMA CAIRNEY:Weird.

GEMMA CAIRNEY:"Cries and shouts rent the air. 'Oh, no.' 'That's torn it.' 'You've done it now, Mildred.' Mildred was horrified.

GEMMA CAIRNEY:'Oh, Ethel,' she said, 'I'm sorry, but you did ask for it.' The pig looked furious. SNORTS 'You beast, Mildred Hubble,' it grunted. 'Change me back.' At that moment, Miss Hardbroom suddenly appeared in the middle of the yard. 'Where is Ethel Hallow?' She asked. 'Miss Bat would like to see her about extra chanting lessons.'

GEMMA CAIRNEY:Her sharp gaze fell on the small pig which was grunting softly at her feet. 'What is that animal doing in the yard?' she asked coldly. Everyone looked at Mildred."

GEMMA CAIRNEY:Now Mildred's got two big problems on her hands. She doesn't know how to change the spell back, and she's made an enemy of Ethel. Not a good idea.

GEMMA CAIRNEY:I love The Worst Witch because I think Mildred, who's the main character in the book, is absolutely amazing. When I was at school, there was a girl in my class called Martha that looked so much like Mildred that that's what made me want to be her best mate.

GEMMA CAIRNEY:Reading's magic. It's a bit like a spell to me. You get into a book, and suddenly you're somebody else. Like, a witch, or a wizard, or an astronaut, or a jungle explorer.

GEMMA CAIRNEY:Bala bala kaboom.

GEMMA CAIRNEY:My disappearing spell isn't working on this pig at all. Anyway, who wants to hear about how Mildred discovers the evil plot from rival witches that wanna take over the school?

GEMMA CAIRNEY:Oh. I guess you have to find out for yourselves. I think I might have done the spell the wrong way around.

MUSIC