Review by Booklist Review
What makes a witch brave? Not being afraid of humans, according to the green-skinned, pointy-hat-wearing narrator, who tries to teach her little sister, Witchling, to also be brave. Witchling is an apt pupil, but she accidentally gets a taste of delicious candy during a lesson, and one taste is enough to make her hop on her sister's broom in search of more. Luckily, it's Halloween and no one bats an eye at the very convincing witch roaming the neighborhood. With humorous, detailed ink-and-watercolor illustrations and speech balloons on every page, this brief story has the feel of a comic strip and a lighthearted tone to match. This witch's-eye view of All Hallow's Eve will likely appeal to little ones about to embark on their own trick-or-treat adventures.--Hunter, Sarah Copyright 2014 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Eight years after A Very Brave Witch, McGhee and Bliss return with a companion story that sees the brave heroine of that book educating her younger sister, Witchling, about humans, whom most witches fear. "Study the humans and learn their mysterious ways," the young witch tells her sister in full-on teacher mode. "They love dressing up on Halloween. Especially like us." However, the poison apple doesn't fall far from the tree, and, like her sister, Witchling shows uncommon bravery. She dives headlong into trick-or-treating-unlike most witches, Witchling thinks candy is great-while her older sister tries to "rescue" her. McGhee's knack for sharp, funny dialogue is a major asset in a story that unfolds entirely through speech and thought balloons. Bliss's ink-and-watercolors illustrations provide plenty of humor, too, especially as Witchling struggles with the massive haul of candy she takes in. Ages 4-8. Agent: Holly McGhee, Pippin Properties. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-The fearless heroine and her endearing orange cat introduced in A Very Brave Witch (S. & S., 2006) are teaching the Witchling about the scary world of humans. Though other witches are afraid of people and their strange ways, the protagonist and her little sister are curious about them. Once Witchling learns about Halloween, she develops a taste for candy and goes trick-or-treating. When some older kids try to take away her hat full of sweets, her sister swoops in to the rescue and takes her home. Borrowing a few elements from comic books, the text consists exclusively of speech balloons, and there are two panelled pages. Full-page ink and watercolor spreads contain some funny details, like "Graveyard Barbie" or a can labeled, "Slugs, Organic." A sweet but optional addition to Halloween collections.-Yelena Alekseyeva-Popova, formerly at Chappaqua Library, NY (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Witchling listens attentively as her sister (from A Very Brave Witch) teaches her about humans' odd Halloween customs. When the lesson turns to "something disgusting that they call candy," however, little Witchling's sweet tooth takes over. Grabbing her sister's broom, Witchling chases her sugar high to "Candy land," a.k.a., a human neighborhood on Halloween night. Older sister cluelessly attempts a rescue mission--"free the hostage!"--while the friendly cartoon drawings make clear that Witchling is on this trick-or-treat mission of her own free will. The visual treats and dead-funny wordplay in Bliss's autumnal illustrations extend to the endpapers. kitty Flynn (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
In the companion title to A Very Brave Witch (2006), the gutsy, green-skinned girl hopes to teach her little sister to be courageous as well. McGhee positions the older, unnamed witch girl as narrator, reacting to events with a rather smug superiority. She wants Witchling to "study the humans and learn their mysterious ways," but at the sight and then taste of candy, Witchling's reaction is "yum" instead of the prescribed "yuck." At first the older sister is proud of the little one's bravery, but readers will see that all Witchling's developed is a sweet tooth. Parents can relate! Misadventures follow as Witchling takes off on a broom to participate in Halloween trick-or-treating. Bliss infuses humor into his watercolor-and-ink scenes by including an anxious yellow cat who interjects "Holy catnip" and "Holy whiskers" in thought bubbles. When Witchling ends up with an overflowing, too-heavy hat full of candy, her older sister swoops in. But the extra weight is too much for the broom, and Witchling must dump out her great haul to the delight of the humans below. Although well-intentioned and not without charming moments, the book lacks a punch in the ending. The older witch is proud of her sister, but it is unclear for what. Taking off on her own? The contrast between the sister's understanding and depicted reality is not enough to maintain this 32-page joke. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
