Fruit and nutcase

Mandy Small has trouble writing. Her teacher suggests she tell her life story into a tape recorder.

So begins Mandy's funny, and sometimes sad, story of her life with her loving but irresponsible parents--Dad, the Elvis look-alike, and Mum, whose idea of a special meal is burnt toast.

Then there is school, where the horrible Tracey Bigg picks on Mandy and her timid friend Oliver, not to mention Old Misery Guts, the landlady, and Nan, who thinks Mandy's parents aren't fit to look after her.

With so many things to worry about, Mandy thinks she's in danger of turning into a real fruit and nutcase!