Joe is feeling negative. He doesn't want to go shopping. So in clever rhyming verse his off-stage parents conjure up a wicked witch to 'take you far away', a giant to cook him in a pie, and a roomful of ghosts - all of which Joe thinks sound wonderful! But the ultimate threat, to leave him at home by himself, does frighten him: 'No!' said Joe. His parents admit to teasing him and there are hugs all round. Wonderful art work.