An unchallenging but charming (if somewhat dated) tale which answers the question "where do toys come from?". Mumfie is introduced as a young elephant, but it becomes clear as the story progresses that this is not an animal fable, but a toy story. Together with his new friend the Scarecrow, Mumfie travels in search of the Palace, where Father Christmas selects toys for delivery to earthly children. The scenery is mainly a fairly generic fairyland, with elements of 1930s England (such as the railway). There are forked paths and dark woods; events can seem dreamlike in their illogic; and if you do not pay attention to instructions, you may find yourself in trouble; but if you win through, you find magical hospitality that meets your every desire.

The story shows signs of being tailored to a young listener (presumably the owner of the original toy Mumfie). Mumfie acts mainly like a rather self-assured child of about 6. The story plays understandingly on childish fears such as being carried away on a train while looking for a seat for someone else, or being refused entrance somewhere through lateness or lack of a ticket. Mumfie shows little worry about what his mother might think when she discovers that he has simply walked out of the house with a snack wrapped in his father's best hanky, but there is a reassuring explanation about how toys are allowed to visit their mothers and fathers when their owners are asleep, and how mistreated toys can call on Father Christmas and his staff for help and support. MB 13-viii-2008 ( )