Witches

Witches

Written Roald Dahl

Illustrated by Quentin Blake

Roald Dahl is a book I could remember reading to my oldest sons years ago, but I could remember them being a little frightened by it.  I read the book one afternoon again and while it may not be appropriate for younger children, I do think that 10 to 12 year old kids would find it funny and suspenseful. 

The story takes place in England and the main characters are a young boy and his Grandmamma.  The grandmother has had an encounter with a witch when she was a young girl, so she sets out to warn her grandsons about the many ways of the witches:  bald, blue spit, larger nose holes, no toes, always wears gloves.  They are usually dressed nicely and one can hardly tell if they are looking at a witch or not, in fact, your sweet teacher could be a witch!!  Throughout the story the young boy gets turned into a mouse as part of a diabolical plan concocted by The Grand High Witch herself!!  Luckily the plan backfires and the boy and his Grandmamma are able to turn the tables and begin wiping our witches all over the world!! 

A fun read along…..and the author sets the stage as a perfect read-aloud for a classroom teacher of elementary students!  However, one must note that the American Library Association listed Witches as number 22 on the ‘100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1900-1999.’