This was an absolute favorite that we will be returning to next year. Both girls LOVED this book, I think in part because Sugar Plum Fairy could read it to her sister. This book appeals to many ages because of it's humor. A little girl and her cat move into a new house that is full of ghosts. Luckily the little girl is a witch. She gathers up all of the ghosts, washes them, irons them and uses them for curtains, tablecloths, bedspreads, etc. Both the girl and the ghosts are happy in this scenario and the kids think it's pretty funny. A win for everyone!These next two were destroyed by the boy in the house (the little one). We actually lucked out because the library GAVE them to us! Not that I'm going to leave books lying in his path in the future or anything, that would be dishonest;) Plus he managed to tear the pages cleanly out of these books and we might not be so lucky in the future.
A cute British import, this "curious little witch" sees a light left on in a house and goes to investigate. Unfortunately the attic room she peeks into is inhabited by mice and when her cat sees this he leaps causing her to tumble in and break her broom. She makes her way down through the house meeting witches with various talents on her way. In the basement she meets a tinkering witch her fixes her broom and gives it a couple of extras. Great detailed pictures and the last page gives us a view of the house from top to bottom in case you missed anything along the way. Super cute.
I love the illustrations in this book. They are reminiscent of Laura Bannon or Marjorie Flack, in style, if you're a fan, which I am. Great descriptions of what a witch needs to be, to be a witch. None of her spells or brews seem to turn out, however... and then she takes off each of her witchy accoutrements and voila! There's a little girl underneath the big nose, stringy red hair and hat.
We love Jan Brett and although these are not my favorite pictures of hers they do capture the spirit of October fairly well. This is a poetic story which is a little eerie until you realize at the end that a bunch of kittens have been hiding under the porch afraid of trick-or-treaters... the source of the mysterious almond eyes watching, watching.
A favorite author at our house who specializes in re-tellings of classic stories. If you haven't ever read "The Teeny Tiny Woman" (by anyone) you are missing out. And if you think you've read it or had it read to you but can't remember here's a little hint "Give me my bone!" This is fun to read and fun to listen to. Just scary enough that it is enjoyable for all ages.