3 JUNE 1966, Page 27

The Magic Suit is the famous Hans Andersen story of

The Emperor's New Clothes, retold by Elizabeth and Gerald Rose (Faber, 15s.). The emperor in all his vanity is a true emperor of fairy-tales, while the swindlers are twentieth-cen- tury crooks, who gaily tuck into knickerbocker glories and ginger-beer as part of their ill-gotten gains. This book should be enjoyed by all over four years. In Just One Apple, by Janosch (Dobson, 15s.), poor Walter wishes that his appleless tree might bear just one fruit. His wish comes true, and his great apple leads him, amongst other adventures, to dragon-slaying.