Barbara Euphan Todd

Miss Ranskill goes on a cruise and is swept overboard; she lives for three years on a desert island before being rescued by a destroyer in 1943. When she returns to England it seems to her to have gone mad: she cannot buy clothes without 'coupons', her friends are only interested in 'war work', and yet she is considered uncivilised if she walks barefoot or is late for meals.

Susan and John are having a very dull holiday in the country until they meet Worzel. They are amazed by the walking, talking bundle of clothes and straw. He's half scarecrow and half human but best of all, he's a wizard! Susan and John soon grow to love Worzel and share all sorts of magical adventures with their unusual friend.

John and Susan are back at Scatterbrook - this time in May, though that makes little difference to the havoc caused by Worzel Gummidge and his fellow scarecrows.

Unfortunate results ensue from their antics, including a swarm of bees invading the living room of Mrs Bloomsbury-Barton. Worzel also has a go at flying before coming down to earth with a crash.