Recent feedback on Zettelwitz the wizard

People ask for criticism, but they only want praise.
W. Somerset Maugham

Very true, I asked for 'frank opinions', but was very relieved to get so many compliments:)

- I have read Zettelwitz with interest and enjoyment -- the concept is original, and it is executed wittily and inventively. I should think that children would find it both entertaining and instructive. I do hope your book is very successful.
Michiel Heyns, July 2008

It's really great. The theme is original, the story exciting and the whole work can be appreciated on many different levels (a characteristic of great literature!)
- As for the question of the alcohol consumption and drunkenness, my suggestion is leave it as it is. It reflects an aspect of life that is everyday (for many) and not frightening or otherwise unwholesome.
- I suggest you retain the film rights when the book is accepted, for it would make a great children's film (cartoon, probably).
- The language and some of the vocabulary are advanced. But that does not matter, for the story is very clear indeed and can be fully appreciated by the least sophisticated readers (or more likely they will have the story read to them).
- Little by little the more intelligent 'readers', when they reread it, will find more to understand, for there are some subtleties in the narration. They will ask for explanations of some of the words and some of the descriptions. This will add to its value for them.
- The prose translation is clearly very good.
Sinclair Wynchank, May 2008

What a clever concept! I think this book would be super for learners aged 9 to 11. The range of vocabulary is amazing and the children would be extending their command of English and having fun at the same time.
I thought Chapter 2 was particularly strong because there were several examples of sentences beginning with silent 'k'. This is a concept I have always struggled to teach.
The rhymes are strong and could steer learners towards writing poetry themselves. The humour is engaging too. Towards the end, the sentence, 'If the house isn't right, you can always change it', made me smile.
I thought the happy ending was a tour de force and the alphabetical; list of the delicious food made me ravenous. Congratulations on creating a book that works on so many levels.
Elaine Kirkland, primary school teacher with over 30 years experience

Reading the story for the third time, I found it enjoyable, especially with the illustrations. I was unsure about the age of the readers. Introducing the many new adjectives would be interesting and challenging – especially so with the way the letters of the alphabet were grouped.
I hope it is a successful book, and I certainly enjoyed the happy celebration at the end.
M. Taylor (retired school teacher)

What a delightful book!
WHO on earth is the person who thought of it as too risky? An alien?
Riana Scheepers