Deep underground live the Earthfolk. There are five Earthfolk tribes: the Wirsche, the Wolde, the Gilche, the Murke, and the Trumpe. They have all been ruled for 1,000 years by the kind but slightly eccentric Kalle, a big-hearted, peace-loving Wirsch who serves as their king. One day, however, a proclamation spreads through the realm: all Earthfolk must gather at the Earthfolk Fortress. There, Zoppo Trump intends to challenge King Kalle Wirsch to a duel and seize power. Knowing he can hardly win such a duel, Zoppo and his cronies, Querro and Quarro, the Rat and the Spider, set numerous nasty traps meant to kill the king. If Kalle fails to appear for the duel, the law states that the challenger automatically inherits the throne, making Zoppo king.
Artful Penny could indeed draw anything she wanted with her magic crayon and it would spring into life. A fantastically useful toy to have. Only her best friend friend Dennis knew her secret so the two had acres of fun winding up adults, nosey-parkers, bullies, bad guys, teachers and ne'er-do-wells with her creations, or solving problems for folk, or sketching their way out of tricky situations. Penny would scribble away, her arm becoming a blurr as she worked and then - hey presto! - her line drawing would leap off the drawing surface as a fully-formed 3D object.
The Gathercole family live in number 47A, a flat in a small block. When the widowed mother is suddenly taken to hospital and hurried plans for an aunt to look after the children fall through, they decide to take care of themselves. When the Welfare authorities learn what is happening, a constant battle to prove they can take care of themselves, and avoid being but in the care of the local council commences.