Children's Book review

The Witch's Children go to School

By Ursula Jones

Published by Orchard Books

When their neighbour, Gemma, is afraid of going to school, the eldest Witch’s child is certain that turning her into an ogre will help.

But that means everyone’s afraid of her instead, so the middle Witch’s child turns the pupils into storybook characters.Young readers will thoroughly enjoy the excesses, while teachers will particularly relish what the Little One does when an inspector calls!

However the Witch’s children are unable to undo their spells, and summon mum (domestically minded witch) to put all to rights.

Ayto’s intricate, witty illustrations add immeasurably to Jones’ zany storyline, each creating a wonderfully different day at school, before reassuringly returning everything to normality.

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Illustrator: Russell Ayto

Reading age: 6+
Interest level: 3+