Nora S. Unwin (1907–1982)

First published in 1962, this vintage early-reader follows the story of two black kittens, abandoned because they were "two too many," who find their way to a witch's forest cottage on Halloween night. Styling themselves "Two" and "Too Many," the kittens find a mentor, of sorts, in Blackington, the witch's cat, and inadvertently become involved in the witch's annual Halloween ride, helping her to win the Grand Race over the moon...

Although I imagine that, had I encountered Nora S. Unwin's Two Too Many as a young girl, I would have been completely charmed, I confess that I wasn't all that wowed, as an adult reader, by its narrative. Perhaps I've just reached the saturation point, with my "witchy-witches" project (I hope not, as I've still got quite a few titles to go!), but my reaction to the story itself was mostly one of indifference: I found it engaging enough, but nothing extraordinary. Fortunately, the artwork - done in black and white, with vivid yellow accents - is really quite charming, greatly adding to the appeal of this one!… (more)