Do You like book Little Witch (1990)?
Like many other posters, I read and re-read this story many times as a child and have searched both brick and mortar and online book sellers in vain for this story. I was so pleased to read Melissa McCann's post about it being digitized and available at ePub. I downloaded it on my iPhone as soon as I read that post and imported it into Stanza. Reading it again last night, after so many years was like a reunion with a long lost friend. Thanks, Melissa! If you missed her post and are searching for this book, you can find it here: you can read it on your computer or import into an ereader device: http://www.epubbud.com/book.php?g=Q4A...
—Katie
The tale of independent Minikin, or "Minx," enchanted me as a first-grader when I dearly loved the hardcover edition in the Snail Lake Elementary library. Returning to it, I suppose it's as liberated as a 1940s cute-little-lady kid's novel can be. The fourth-grader Minx bravely steps away from the cruel world of witchery, longing for a conventional life; but she learns to embrace the upside of black magic. Her kind nature sways her community to support her flavor of witchcraft. By the end, the school principal and the town folk are clamboring for a ride on her broom. Karl Ove Knausgaard, in Volume 3 of "My Struggle," mentions his memory of reading a novel called "The Little Witch" at the age of 8. He was deeply disturbed by the little girl's rebelliousness. I'm not sure if this was the same novel he read, but this is the "Little Witch" that so touched my young soul.
—Iris
First published in 1953, this children's classic consistently tops the list of most in demand out-of-print books. I recently purchased the 60th anniversary edition from Amazon. Although the illustrations are old-fashioned and the writing style is outdated (including a heavy reliance on adverbs), the story is charming and I can see why it would still appeal to kids today.Minx, a brave and spunky nine-year-old witch's daughter, longs to be like other children. Against her mother's wishes, she heads off to school one day and befriends a girl her own age. With the help of her new friends, Minx overcomes her circumstances. Author Anna Elizabeth Bennett turns the usual paradigm - a child wants to be magical - on its head with this heroine, whose deepest desire is to be a regular kid and fit in with other children. It's a theme all elementary school aged children grapple with, and this struggle will not diminish over time as this story continues to age.Something else this book contains that more contemporary children's books lack is an appropriate balance of conflict and comfort. There's plenty of dramatic tension and Minx is up against some tough odds, but she has the unwavering support of her friend, Frances, and Frances's whole family. Minx also gets help from an unexpected supporter, properly foreshadowed from the very first chapter. This alchemical blend of peril and solace is perfect for chapter book readers.~ Nancy Kotkin
—Nancy Kotkin
