
The Witches: The Graphic Novel
by Roald Dahl and Pénélope Bagieu
Interest age: 9 to 11
Reading age: 8+
Published by Scholastic, 2020
About this book
After a young boy's parents die, he's sent to live with his grandmother, who warns him about witches. They might seem like anyone else, but there are a few telltale signs to watch out for...
When the pair go on a trip to the seaside, they're horrified to discover that they're sharing the hotel with a convention of witches - will they be able to stop them from unleashing a horrifying plan to turn the nation's children into mice?
Whether or not you're already a devotee of Roald Dahl's classic story The Witches, Pénélope Bagieu's brand new graphic novel is an absolute delight.
Bagieu keeps much of Dahl's dark edge - so the grandmother is sent to the seaside because of her poor health caused by cigar smoking, while the boy's grief for his parents is heartbreakingly depicted in the opening few pages.
But there's a lot of fun to be had, too - the full-colour images throughout are bursting with character and you'll find yourself laughing out loud at many of the little details. Fast-paced and funny, the story zips along at lightning speed.
And while Dahl's story is faithfully told, Bagieu's take still feels fresh - the Grand High Witch is deliciously wicked, and you can't help but fall in love with the grandmother all over again.
A treat for die-hard fans and The Witches newbies alike.
About the author
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