Whenever he is naughty, a young boy's mother threatens him with Mrs Cole, who appears to be a disreputable character living nearby in total chaos. One day he runs away from home and finds himself outside Mrs Cole's house. She invites him in and he discovers that Mrs Cole's noisy, kindly house is welcoming and warm and far from being frightening. 'Funny, touching and true' Sunday Telegraph 'One of the most outstanding young children's picture books for some time.' Financial Times