Well, I'm queen of the afterthought tonight--

How 'bout William Mayne? (Hob and the Goblins, Hob and the Peddler)--those are very good--the first one particularly I think would answer your requirements nicely.

We also have on the shelf, not yet read, EA Wyke-Smith's "Marvellous Land of Snergs," which Tolkien acknowledged as a source for "The Hobbit." It looks quite fun, and as soon as the on-deck pile gets a little lower, we'll let you know what it's like!

peace
minnie