Missy Piggle-Wiggle and the Whatever Cure
by Ann M. Martin and Annie Parnell
Illustrated by Ben Hatke
Feiwel and Friends, 2016

This is an continuation of the original Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle series from the 1940s and 50s. Annie Parnell is Betty MacDonald's great granddaughter, and Ann M. Martin is perhaps best known for her novels in The Baby-Sitters Club series. Together, they are hoping to reintroduce Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle to a new generation.

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle has had to rush off suddenly, and sends for her great-niece to take her place. Missy is more than ready to take over, having grown up learning Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's secrets and taking care of her extensive collection of pets. And upon arrival, she does exactly what Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle did -- befriends all of the children and corrects their misbehaviors, usually by means of magic.

I found the story disappointing; the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle…

So about those three women.

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Singularity Girl stopped by for a socially-distanced visit in our garden. I've known her since she was thirteen. Her family had just made it to Canada after surviving the Siege of Sarajevo. She turned up at an audition meeting for a play I was workshopping with teenagers. She wanted to write, not act. Despite her not having gone through the usual process to be part of the writing team, and her young age, I believed…

Our wedding anniversary approaches, so let me tell you about three women who aren't my wife.

No, wait. Let me tell you first about three millennials, also not spouses of mine. Don't even know them, actually.

My wife and I were returning from a late-night walk, when we became aware of three younger people, 21 at most, following in our same general…