Sunday, October 30, 2005

The Worst Witch Saves the Day


Kate Kellaway reviews Jill Murphy's The Worst Witch Saves the Day for today's Guardian.

The Worst Witch books truly are a lot of fun for kids who have just begun to read fluently on their own. For some reason, though, they haven't taken off in the U.S. They are ideal reads for kids who just aren't ready for the Harry Potter reading or the Series of Unfortunate Events irony level.

Kellaway writes of Murphy, "Jill Murphy is one of the most engaging writers and illustrators for children in the land. She writes with gaiety and charm about the fallibility of humans, elephants (she is responsible for the Large family), cats and trainee witches. Weakness is her forte."

(I also adore the Large Family--especially All in One Piece.)