The New Yorker recommends: http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/2009/10/put-this-in-their-pumpkins.html for info. USA Today also really like...
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Nov 06, 2009
Christiane
rated it: 
What if the witch from Hansel and Gretel did not die in the oven? What if she's now an ordinary old woman, living in a suburb (which was once a deep wood) with her little dog Swift, who is carrying a bone in his mouth that eleven-year old Sol identifies as a human femur? Sol and his younger sister have an oddly indifferent father and a not-really-very-nice step-mother, but surely that's just coincidence. A creepy retelling of the fairy tale, with parts told from the witch's point of view. Bo
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Apr 21, 2009
Tanti
rated it: 
If you like Roald Dahl's books, you'll like this one. This is a darkly hilarious story. The two kids at the center of the story were adorable, and a bit eccentric, just like every other person in the town it seemed. I was hooked from the very first page.
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Mar 31, 2011
F.H.
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This review was written by my 10 year old sister!
Eleven year-old Solomon and eight year-old Constance Blinks, Sol and Connie for short, have just moved into their new house. That's where they meet old and odd Fay Holaderry and her friendly dog Swift. Swift carries a very strange, eerie-looking bone in his mouth. At first Fay seems like a normal old woman, even if she's slightly odd, so who cares? That's before they stumble upon her diary. Can Sol and Connie figure out what old Fay More...
Eleven year-old Solomon and eight year-old Constance Blinks, Sol and Connie for short, have just moved into their new house. That's where they meet old and odd Fay Holaderry and her friendly dog Swift. Swift carries a very strange, eerie-looking bone in his mouth. At first Fay seems like a normal old woman, even if she's slightly odd, so who cares? That's before they stumble upon her diary. Can Sol and Connie figure out what old Fay More...
Feb 03, 2011
Charlyn
rated it: 
First off, let me deal with all the "shelves" I issued this book. Family story, yes, just not a happy family. Fractured fairy tale, yes, but "twisted" (as in "warped") fairy tale might be better for this modern version of Hansel and Gretel. Humor, yes, but I'm not sure children will find it in this dark tale. As an adult, I especially found humor in those listed as the witch's helpers and the kinds of "frustrations" they produced for children. (And I
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Sep 17, 2009
Mitchy
rated it:
เล่มนี้กล่าวถึงตัวเองไว้ว่า "A modern-day retelling of Hansel&Gretel"
เป็นการเล่าใหม่ที่ถือว่าไม่น่าเบื่อโดยที่โครงเรื่องยังเหมือนเดิม คาแรคเตอร์ของเด็กสองพี่น้องน่าสนใจ บรรยากาศในเรื่องรวมถึงภาพประกอบจะออกแนวหม่นๆ
เสียอย่างเดียว...ดันมีแต่ปกแข็ง มันแพง! (แม้จะลด 20% แล้วก็เถอะ)
ปล. ไปแอบอ่าน review ของพวกฝรั่ง มีคนให้ตั้งแต่ 1 ถึง 5 ดาว โดยคนที่ชอบมากก็ถึงกับเอาไปเทียบกับดาห์ล (คนที่ไม่ชอบก็เอาไปเทียบกับดาห์ลเหมือนกัน...เพราะหวังไว้ว่ามันจะเหมือนเรื่อง More...
เป็นการเล่าใหม่ที่ถือว่าไม่น่าเบื่อโดยที่โครงเรื่องยังเหมือนเดิม คาแรคเตอร์ของเด็กสองพี่น้องน่าสนใจ บรรยากาศในเรื่องรวมถึงภาพประกอบจะออกแนวหม่นๆ
เสียอย่างเดียว...ดันมีแต่ปกแข็ง มันแพง! (แม้จะลด 20% แล้วก็เถอะ)
ปล. ไปแอบอ่าน review ของพวกฝรั่ง มีคนให้ตั้งแต่ 1 ถึง 5 ดาว โดยคนที่ชอบมากก็ถึงกับเอาไปเทียบกับดาห์ล (คนที่ไม่ชอบก็เอาไปเทียบกับดาห์ลเหมือนกัน...เพราะหวังไว้ว่ามันจะเหมือนเรื่อง More...
Aug 20, 2009
Robyn
rated it:
How can you resist - The Witch's Guide to Cooking with Children? It brings to mind the old WC Fields adage - when asked if he liked children, Fields purportedly answered, Yes - with a little mustard and relish!
All joking aside - this book is being touted as a lot of things...a modern version of the Hansel & Gretel tale, garnering comparisons to Roald Dahl's The Witches, and the tone of a Lemony Snicket narration.
The really great part More...
All joking aside - this book is being touted as a lot of things...a modern version of the Hansel & Gretel tale, garnering comparisons to Roald Dahl's The Witches, and the tone of a Lemony Snicket narration.
The really great part More...
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Feb 09, 2011
Abbie
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This is a new adaptation of Hansel and Gretel that I really enjoyed at first, but the ending was fairy disappointing. First, the good stuff! The book begins with an excerpt from the witch's diary in which she discusses how she find children to eat. She writes that many parents show up at her door or write her letters asking her to take their children, "pretty please!" Most of the book is about Sol and Connie Blink who have just moved to a new town right next door to a suspicious old la
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Jun 18, 2010
Kate
rated it:
I read a review of this at Booklist Online, and the title grabbed my attention.
The witch who eats children, made famous by the fairy tale Hansel & Gretel, is alive and well and living in a city. She's writing a book about her various modern methods of capturing children, since there are no woods anymore for parents to "lose" their children in. Some examples include dumpsters outside of movie theaters marked "Donations" and having child-hating helpers such as b More...
The witch who eats children, made famous by the fairy tale Hansel & Gretel, is alive and well and living in a city. She's writing a book about her various modern methods of capturing children, since there are no woods anymore for parents to "lose" their children in. Some examples include dumpsters outside of movie theaters marked "Donations" and having child-hating helpers such as b More...
May 21, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
When Sol and his younger sister Connie move into a new neighborhood, they soon face a couple of unnerving facts: they have a real-life witch as their neighbor, and their parents are trying to get rid of them (by “donating” them to the witch so she can eat them!).
Sol and Connie have every intension of avoiding the witch, but they are too late realizing that the children’s librarian is her ally! While Connie waits for Sol to be finished on the computer, the librarian catches Connie so More...
Sol and Connie have every intension of avoiding the witch, but they are too late realizing that the children’s librarian is her ally! While Connie waits for Sol to be finished on the computer, the librarian catches Connie so More...
Jan 28, 2010
your neighborhood librarian
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Feb 19, 2010
Ramarie
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Something about this chapter book, a retelling of the Hansel and Gretel tale, didn't "gel" with me. Sol and Connie, the sibling pair, reminded me of the siblings in the Series of Unfortunate Events, with their self-reliance, intelligence, and keen insight. But the explanation for where the children's parents were, and the twin brother who was an evil stand-in for their real father, seemed very hokey. The siblings made use of the library in their search for the truth about their stra
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Dec 12, 2011
Kim
rated it:
A great idea for a story-spin-off of the ever popular Hansel and Gretl! Started out marvelous with the witch narrating a few pages of introduction. On the audiobook she was spooky yet fun and whimsical. I loved the part of the witch. Very early on after the witch speaks, the story loses it's momentum. It becomes dull, dry and silly. I think if the witch were allowed to tell the story 'her way', the book could have turned out much better. Still, overall it was not a complete flop. Some of
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Dec 20, 2010
Leslie
rated it:
"The cover is fantastic isn’t it?! The creativity and humor continue into the story, I promise. Using one of the lesser re-imagined Grimm Fairytales, Keith McGowan proves a deft hand with a present day placement of Hansel und Gretel. McGowan even maintains the dark and sinister feel of Grimm. He would also add the absurdities that take an edge off and make the read ridiculously funny at times.
Between the title, the cover, and the premise, The Witch’s Guide to Cooking with Children More...
Between the title, the cover, and the premise, The Witch’s Guide to Cooking with Children More...
Mar 26, 2011
Richelle
rated it:
This modern day retelling of Hansel and Gretel finds siblings Sol and Connie moving to a new town with their father and stepmother. There, they meet Fay Holaderry and her dog swift, who has an odd-looking bone in his mouth. Sol just happens to be somewhat of a child genius, so he heads to library to find out what kind of bone it is, and discovers it was likely a human femur bone. As they further investigate Holaderry, they discover she is a witch who cooks and eats children and she collects th
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Dec 01, 2011
Mrs. Pam Browning
rated it:
The book The Witch's Guide to Cooking with Children by Keith McGowan was a very fun fantasy book. I liked how it was a twist on Hansel and Gretel in modern day time. The ending leaves a few parts not wrapped up though. What was the story between Mrs. Holaderry and the lady in the Creatures shop, I'd love to know. Also, did Sol and Connie ever find out about their family history? My favorite character was Connie. I know, I know I'm supposed to like Sol better and he did grow and learn a lot
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Apr 04, 2011
Kellylou
rated it:
This modern-day retelling of Hansel & Gretel is a quirky, inventive story with characters just odd enough to thoroughly enjoy. My class fell in love with this book from page one, and I was smitten in the beginning as well.
The witch's journal is clever, and I loved the contrast between Connie and Sol. Even the backstory for Mr. and Mrs. Blink offers several opportunities for an interesting conclusion. I felt there were many things in this story left unexplored - but the set-up was fan More...
The witch's journal is clever, and I loved the contrast between Connie and Sol. Even the backstory for Mr. and Mrs. Blink offers several opportunities for an interesting conclusion. I felt there were many things in this story left unexplored - but the set-up was fan More...
Jul 24, 2011
Kirsten
rated it:
I was looking forward to reading this book because I do so much with fairy tales and fractured fairy tales with my students and as a school, we LOVE this genre. So, when I realized that a fractured fairy tale version of Hansel and Gretel was on this year's Bluebonnet list, I was excited.
Unfortunately, my excitement was short-lived, as this book was a terrible disappointment to me. It was just not what I expected or wanted and I will not be really pushing it this year (although I know More...
Unfortunately, my excitement was short-lived, as this book was a terrible disappointment to me. It was just not what I expected or wanted and I will not be really pushing it this year (although I know More...
Apr 30, 2011
Terry
rated it:
I really wanted to like this book so I could share it with my grandchildren. The concept is great. The execution falls short.
While there are some pleasant aspects to the book, I was disappointed in many ways. The ending was a great letdown. The story was very contrived, unconvincing and and felt incomplete. But there are sections that have too much detail, too much explanation, too much verbage!
One final comment about the crude humor in the book. While there is not a lot, More...
While there are some pleasant aspects to the book, I was disappointed in many ways. The ending was a great letdown. The story was very contrived, unconvincing and and felt incomplete. But there are sections that have too much detail, too much explanation, too much verbage!
One final comment about the crude humor in the book. While there is not a lot, More...
Sep 21, 2011
jennifer
rated it:
In this re-telling of Hansel and Gretel, the children are science wiz Sol Blink and his younger sister Connie. When their family moves into the apartment building next door to Fay Holaderry, Sol notices that the old woman's dog is chewing on a bone that looks rather alarming. And when the children manage to steal Holaderry's journal, all their suspicions are confirmed.
This book is listed for young readers, but I think that refers to the fact that the story is written in a style that More...
This book is listed for young readers, but I think that refers to the fact that the story is written in a style that More...
Aug 25, 2011
DixieJo
rated it:
some people struggle with the idea of cannibalism in this book, it's a take off of Hansel and Gretel - get over it. No more is said, than a witch that eats children and dog with with a human femur in his mouth. There are no gory details or imagery.
I found the book slow to start and slightly irritating in how it repeated story line. That said, once it turned to action, the author holds your attention and you can't put it down. And then it ends. Just like that. A couple lose ends, slig More...
I found the book slow to start and slightly irritating in how it repeated story line. That said, once it turned to action, the author holds your attention and you can't put it down. And then it ends. Just like that. A couple lose ends, slig More...
May 16, 2011
Sara
rated it:
A very clever retelling of Hansel and Gretel. It would be good for upper elementary or middle school students who can understand the bit of satire and whimsy within and not be freaked out by a witch who eats children and the parents who give them to her. Told partly from the witches perspective and partly from the children's, it has a great flow.
If you speak German, you'll find little treats scattered within the reading. It opens with a portion of the original Brothers Grimm tale. More...
If you speak German, you'll find little treats scattered within the reading. It opens with a portion of the original Brothers Grimm tale. More...
Dec 07, 2011
Erin
rated it:
The Witch's Guide to Cooking With Children
by Keith McGowan
Fay Holaderry loves a delectable meal, to prepare it, to cook it, and to savor every last bite. Unfortunately, she's a “meat and potatoes” type of gal—her filet of choice—human--done medium well if you please. When Connie and Sol move to Fay's neck of the woods, Fay's longing for “Prime Kid” becomes insatiable. This short little novel is called a “fractured fairy tale.” The book takes the old Hansel and Gretel story and turns More...
by Keith McGowan
Fay Holaderry loves a delectable meal, to prepare it, to cook it, and to savor every last bite. Unfortunately, she's a “meat and potatoes” type of gal—her filet of choice—human--done medium well if you please. When Connie and Sol move to Fay's neck of the woods, Fay's longing for “Prime Kid” becomes insatiable. This short little novel is called a “fractured fairy tale.” The book takes the old Hansel and Gretel story and turns More...
Jul 07, 2011
A. Riley
rated it:
Genre: adventure, mystery, fantasy, fractured fairy tale, novel
Grade level: 3rd-6th
Keywords: brother and sister, parents, witch, Hansel and Gretel, magic, dog, science, riddles
Notes: Brother and sister discover a neighboring witch who "cooks" children & have to figure out a way to foil the witch to avoid being the next victims. Good book club or lit group book. May be fun to read aloud. Discuss sibling relationship, relationship between parents & kids, etc. Modern day More...
Grade level: 3rd-6th
Keywords: brother and sister, parents, witch, Hansel and Gretel, magic, dog, science, riddles
Notes: Brother and sister discover a neighboring witch who "cooks" children & have to figure out a way to foil the witch to avoid being the next victims. Good book club or lit group book. May be fun to read aloud. Discuss sibling relationship, relationship between parents & kids, etc. Modern day More...
Jun 03, 2011
Mercedes
rated it:
Starts off with a nice creepy first person confession of someone who likes eating children, but ends as a vehicle for discussing how any one can live and get along with others. I don't know about teaching children at an early age to compromise on their values, I think sometimes you just have to stand up for what you believe in no matter what trouble it causes and I am changing my stars to a two because of this. I think it was pretty good but that's mostly to do with the original fairy tale it
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Sep 20, 2009
E.
rated it:
Remember the story of Hansel and Gretel? Well, the witch – one Fay Holadarry – is still alive. The city has been built around her, where the forest used to be. And her house no longer looks like candy, but she has her ways of getting children. Parents, for example, who no longer want their children can drop them off at various locales. Holaderry does not go hungry. When Sol and Connie move in next door to Holaderry, they immediately smell something fishy. It’s not long before these clever
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Aug 05, 2009
Newengland
rated it:
I like to grab books that are more appropriate for a wide array of reading abilities, but this one, geared toward ages9 to 12, is definitely more appropriate for the 9 or less crowd. Very simple story with modern day bro and sis team trying to outwit (outwitch?) the hungry old lady. Alas, the denouement is a tad too convenient and the witch's fate a tad too sanitary (as modern times dictate, alas, though both Grimm and Raold Dahl would be disappointed). My 8th graders are too jaded for this,
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Mar 09, 2011
Ana
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The Witch's Guide to Cooking with Children / 978-0-8050-8668-3
I love redone fairy tales of all kinds, from the whimsical to the dark, and I love children's books in general, so this book seemed like a no-brainer for me. Unfortunately, however, I simply did not enjoy reading this book, though I cannot say for certain whether a much younger audience might find the novel more palatable.
"The Witch's Guide" carries with it a strong whiff of the amateur about it. Author McGowan seems to be a More...
I love redone fairy tales of all kinds, from the whimsical to the dark, and I love children's books in general, so this book seemed like a no-brainer for me. Unfortunately, however, I simply did not enjoy reading this book, though I cannot say for certain whether a much younger audience might find the novel more palatable.
"The Witch's Guide" carries with it a strong whiff of the amateur about it. Author McGowan seems to be a More...
Jul 24, 2010
Ruth
rated it:
This one is touted as a "retelling of Hansel and Gretel." Unlike a lot of the fairy-tale retellings out there now (seemingly proliferating like rabbits!) this one is truly imaginative and even quirky. We have, of course, the witch--Fay Holaderry--who has no silly house of candy and cookies--no!, but a modern home in the suburbs. A quote from the witch's journal shows just how fantastic this book is. This is how the book opens: "I love children. Eating them, that is. I've ea
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Jul 19, 2010
Julie
rated it: 
This book had such great potential, but I really didn't like it. First off, I am going to guess that the author did some research about air pressure, so why would he put the air pressure as station pressure rather than adjusted sea level pressure? This would be much more useful to the budding scientist. And, since Sol and Connie lived by the mountains, why was the station pressure so low? I guess this part would only bother a meteorologist. Second, I felt like the forgiveness idea was treat
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Nov 05, 2009
Dina
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Faye Holaderry is a witch, who loves to cook with children--and then eat them. From the first time Sol and his younger sister Connie meet Mrs. Holaderry, Sol has suspicions about her--mainly because of the bone her dog Swift is gnawing on. So Sol starts doing some research and learns some very disturbing things. Soon he and Connie are caught up in a dangerous adventure. Will Sol's quick thinking be enough to save them? A fun and chilling modern retelling of Hansel and Gretel.
