This book was mentioned during the Q & A part of a lecture by a man who wrote a book about the books you should read before you die. Burnt Toast on Davenport Street was much loved by his family when his children were growing up; I don't think, however, that this book made it into the book he was lecturing on. Anyway, I read it. And was disturbed and disappointed. I even had my daughter read it, just to make sure that I wasn't being overly picky.

SPOILER: In a town where animals talk and behave much like people, a dog asks a magic fly to change some alligators who have been taunting him in squirrels. The fly makes a mistake and turns them into toasters. My problem is that the punishment---either making them non-sentient machines or still aware but incapable of any expression---is much too drastic for the crime. Except for that, the illustrations are nicely done and the story is OK. ( )