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I Can Read: Level 4
The Witch Who Was Afraid of Witches
A bewitching tale for beginning readers, the perfect early chapter book story for Halloween! Wendy is a little witch who is afraid of her mean, bossy witch sisters—until one special Halloween night when she makes a magical Wendy’s sisters can fly fast, cackle loudly, and cast spells, but Wendy can fly even faster. Can she find a way to out-witch her sisters? In this I Can Read Level 4 paperback—complete with full-color art and short chapters—Alice Low has adapted her popular story specifically for readers bridging to chapter books.
48 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1978
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
October 3, 2018
A cute beginning book for new readers. Wendy is a witch with 2 bossy older sister. She feels small in their presence. She loses her broom and has to stay home for Halloween. A brave boy named Roger meets her and invites her home where she finds her own inner magic and power. She teaches her sisters a little something and then she is no longer afraid of witches.
Not a bad story and the message of finding how our own power works compared to others is an important message. It’s a cute story
Not a bad story and the message of finding how our own power works compared to others is an important message. It’s a cute story
October 26, 2010
This is a cute beginning reader perfect for Halloween! The youngest witch sister is afraid of her bossy older sisters until one special Halloween night when her sad state of staying home alone is turned into a night of friendship, fun, and an awakening of self-confidence!
While I didn't find anything particularly marvelous about the telling of the tale, it's still a good one for early reader if they want an nice, non-scary seasonal read. The illustrations, updated for this version by Jane Manning, are a nice blend of humorous and charming.
While I didn't find anything particularly marvelous about the telling of the tale, it's still a good one for early reader if they want an nice, non-scary seasonal read. The illustrations, updated for this version by Jane Manning, are a nice blend of humorous and charming.
October 12, 2018
The Witch Who Was Afraid of Witches, illustrated by Jane Manning.
Originally published in 1978, with illustrations by Karen Gundersheimer, this witchy little book was revised for HarperCollins' I Can Read series in 1999, with new illustrations by Jane Manning. It follows the story of Wendy, a little witch who finds her two sisters - the eldest, Polly, who knew everything, and the middle, Wog, who knew how to do everything best - vastly intimidating. When Polly and Wog leave her behind one Halloween, Wendy befriends trick-or-treater Roger, and the two have a wonderful night, discovering that Wendy does indeed have her own witchy powers.
The theme of a little witch being left behind on Halloween night, only to take up with a trick-or-treater, put me strongly in mind of Deborah Hautzig's Little Witch's Big Night , first published in 1984, and part of Random House's Step Into Reading series. I understand, from another online review, that it is also strongly reminiscent of Otfried Preußler's The Little Witch (which I haven't read). I don't know that Hautzig copied Low, any more than Low copied Preußler - I suspect they all were simply struck by a similar inspiration - but in any case, I found this an engaging little Halloween book. Manning, whose own recent witchy picture-book, Cat Nights , is a real winner in the genre, contributes colorful and quirky artwork that greatly enhances the appeal of the story.
Originally published in 1978, with illustrations by Karen Gundersheimer, this witchy little book was revised for HarperCollins' I Can Read series in 1999, with new illustrations by Jane Manning. It follows the story of Wendy, a little witch who finds her two sisters - the eldest, Polly, who knew everything, and the middle, Wog, who knew how to do everything best - vastly intimidating. When Polly and Wog leave her behind one Halloween, Wendy befriends trick-or-treater Roger, and the two have a wonderful night, discovering that Wendy does indeed have her own witchy powers.
The theme of a little witch being left behind on Halloween night, only to take up with a trick-or-treater, put me strongly in mind of Deborah Hautzig's Little Witch's Big Night , first published in 1984, and part of Random House's Step Into Reading series. I understand, from another online review, that it is also strongly reminiscent of Otfried Preußler's The Little Witch (which I haven't read). I don't know that Hautzig copied Low, any more than Low copied Preußler - I suspect they all were simply struck by a similar inspiration - but in any case, I found this an engaging little Halloween book. Manning, whose own recent witchy picture-book, Cat Nights , is a real winner in the genre, contributes colorful and quirky artwork that greatly enhances the appeal of the story.
April 10, 2020
It was awesome because I like the message in the book. Finn age 6
April 22, 2018
picked up and done easy peasy read
October 11, 2014
This brilliant take on the classic Cinderella story has a witchy twist that'll have critics boil, boil in toil and trouble...and kids screaming for more (with delight, of course!) Wendy the Witch (Not to be confused with Wendy the Witch from the Caspar the Ghost comics) is not feeling terribly witchy. She can't seem to get it right. She doesn't have the infamous witch cackle, she can't fly a broomstick worth a frog's lick, and her two sisters Polly and Wog (polliwog, get it?) are no help at all. So on Halloween night, fate knocks on Wendy's door in the form of a ghost--or at least a kid in a ghost blanket costume. And a magic broom from outa nowhere will lead her to her Destiny! It's actually a nice tale that'll help kids be themselves and realize the inner witch within all of us. "Cos everyone knows it's Wendy!
November 2, 2023
I loved this book when I was younger (the art is very lively), but upon a re-read I can’t help but feel like justice wasn’t served. I’m not sure what the moral was. If you prank your abusive sisters they’ll immediately do a 180 and turn into loving family? That boys can be witches, too? I don’t know.
April 25, 2015
Cute children's book. Nothing that stands the test of time, but wasn't a bad read for my son and the illustrations are adorable.
October 26, 2017
Wendy is bullied by her sisters until she finds a new friend . . . and the right broom for the job.
Beautiful illustrations by Jane Manning.
Beautiful illustrations by Jane Manning.
September 13, 2018
Wow even among witches there is bullying. I liked that after I read it one of the third graders in my class took my recommendation and checked it out to read. Score!!!!
February 19, 2022
Who doesn't love a good witchy story all year long! We really loved this wonderfully illustrated level 4 chapter book. The story follows young Wendy who is a witch that is afraid of witches. She admires her sisters' abilities to fly fast and cackles loudly but she doesn't think she is ever going to be able to get magic until she meets a young boy named Roger who dressed like a ghost, takes her out trick or treating. Awesome book for kids of all ages! I highly recommend it!
September 21, 2014
The Witch who was Afraid of Witches by Alice Low follows Wendy, a young witch who cannot seem to do anything right. Her oldest sister, Polly, knows everything. And Wog, her older sister, knows how to do everything. But Wendy has no witch power at all.
She also has another secret: she is afraid of witches! Wendy does not like to cackle or talk in a scary voice. And she cannot stand darkness.
Wendy begs her older sisters to teach her their witchy ways, but they refuse. Polly and Wog do not think that she has what it takes to be a true witch. She cannot even keep track of her own broom!
Sad and alone on Halloween night, Wendy wonders what will become of her. Suddenly, there is a knock at the door. Curiosity gets the best of her and she decides to see who it is, despite her sisters' warnings.
As she opens the door, she sees a boy dressed as a ghost standing on her doorstep. Wendy soon learns that the boy's name is Roger and he wastes no time in inviting her to go trick-or-treating with him. Can he help Wendy see that she is a greater witch than she believes?
I greatly enjoyed reading this book. The illustrations are beautiful and very expressive. I would have liked to have seen a bit more depth with the plot, but I believe that this story will become the new Halloween classic that children will read again and again.
She also has another secret: she is afraid of witches! Wendy does not like to cackle or talk in a scary voice. And she cannot stand darkness.
Wendy begs her older sisters to teach her their witchy ways, but they refuse. Polly and Wog do not think that she has what it takes to be a true witch. She cannot even keep track of her own broom!
Sad and alone on Halloween night, Wendy wonders what will become of her. Suddenly, there is a knock at the door. Curiosity gets the best of her and she decides to see who it is, despite her sisters' warnings.
As she opens the door, she sees a boy dressed as a ghost standing on her doorstep. Wendy soon learns that the boy's name is Roger and he wastes no time in inviting her to go trick-or-treating with him. Can he help Wendy see that she is a greater witch than she believes?
I greatly enjoyed reading this book. The illustrations are beautiful and very expressive. I would have liked to have seen a bit more depth with the plot, but I believe that this story will become the new Halloween classic that children will read again and again.
November 9, 2017
This was such a wonderfully different "Halloween" book to read; after reading Halloween books for the last few weeks to my adult special needs son. After a while they all start sounding almost just a like. But this book is a very nice welcome to a different story for Halloween.
A youngest sister of three witches can't do spells, she can't cackle, she can't do anything like her 'real' witch sisters. And her sisters always tell her she can't so they don't want to spend the time to teach er. But on Halloween night they go out and tell her to stay home. But a little boy come trick or treating and befriends her thinking she is another new friend of the neighborhood just dressed as a witch. He needed a buddy to go tricker treating with. So she goes.
It takes the encouragement of her new friend and his mother to tell her 'she can' and she finds her self esteem and herself knowing she is truly a witch. All it really takes is someone to believe in you and to encourage you to be what you want to be.
Very well written book for children. Illustrations are wonderful as well.
A youngest sister of three witches can't do spells, she can't cackle, she can't do anything like her 'real' witch sisters. And her sisters always tell her she can't so they don't want to spend the time to teach er. But on Halloween night they go out and tell her to stay home. But a little boy come trick or treating and befriends her thinking she is another new friend of the neighborhood just dressed as a witch. He needed a buddy to go tricker treating with. So she goes.
It takes the encouragement of her new friend and his mother to tell her 'she can' and she finds her self esteem and herself knowing she is truly a witch. All it really takes is someone to believe in you and to encourage you to be what you want to be.
Very well written book for children. Illustrations are wonderful as well.
December 3, 2017
Wendy is the youngest of three witch sisters. Her oldest sister is a know-it-all who makes Wendy feel like an idiot. Wendy’s second sister is someone who can do it all and makes Wendy feel incompetent. When Wendy asks for help, her sisters make fun of her. One Halloween, Wendy meets a nice non-magic boy and his mother. Through them and their encouragement she realizes that she is a powerful witch without the guidance of her sisters. With her self-doubt gone, she is able to become an equal of her sisters, and have a little revenge upon them too.
This book is great for a classroom library. Perfect for 2nd through 4th grade. It is a highly engaging children’s fiction book. Students would be drawn to the story and illustrations. This story is great for teaching about themes to younger grades as it teaches the lesson that you need to find the power within you and not let others take that away.
This book is great for a classroom library. Perfect for 2nd through 4th grade. It is a highly engaging children’s fiction book. Students would be drawn to the story and illustrations. This story is great for teaching about themes to younger grades as it teaches the lesson that you need to find the power within you and not let others take that away.
January 6, 2010
The Witch Who Was Afraid Of Witches is about a little witch who always got teased by the older witches. On Halloween she meets a young boy about her age that tells her she dosen't need to be afraid of being an actual witch. She realizes that the little boy is right and that she can't be afraid of her own kind.
She thanks the boy and they become best friends over time, they stay together when something scary happens, they know that they have eachother. The witch, Wendy, loves everything about her and her own kind once she really learns more about spells, magic, ect.
I would not recommend this book. I like the moral but it's just really boring and it feels like I keep reading the same sentence over and over and over again. If that's ever happened to you, you know it's not a good feeling and if you hate that feeling, you'll hate this book.
She thanks the boy and they become best friends over time, they stay together when something scary happens, they know that they have eachother. The witch, Wendy, loves everything about her and her own kind once she really learns more about spells, magic, ect.
I would not recommend this book. I like the moral but it's just really boring and it feels like I keep reading the same sentence over and over and over again. If that's ever happened to you, you know it's not a good feeling and if you hate that feeling, you'll hate this book.
October 10, 2017
Wendy is a little witch who is afraid of witches especially her two older sisters. One thinks she knows everything, and one thinks she can do everything better than anyone else. Both of them lord this over poor little Wendy and refuse to teach her anything.
Then one halloween after her sisters flew off to town to scare people, a trick-or-treater knocks on her door and invites Wendy back to her house. With a little encouragement and an old kitchen broom, Wendy discovers her own inner magic. She and her new friend have a good time flying around scaring people, and Wendy plays a trick on her older sisters who stay out way too late.
When Wendy shows off her newfound witch skills to her sisters, they are amazed and finally begin to treat her like an equal. The moral is that sometimes one just needs a little encouragement from a disinterested third party to find confidence.
Then one halloween after her sisters flew off to town to scare people, a trick-or-treater knocks on her door and invites Wendy back to her house. With a little encouragement and an old kitchen broom, Wendy discovers her own inner magic. She and her new friend have a good time flying around scaring people, and Wendy plays a trick on her older sisters who stay out way too late.
When Wendy shows off her newfound witch skills to her sisters, they are amazed and finally begin to treat her like an equal. The moral is that sometimes one just needs a little encouragement from a disinterested third party to find confidence.
July 20, 2012
A higher level beginning reader, The Witch who was Afraid of Witches was originally published in 1978, and re-issued, with newer illustrations by Harper Collins in 1999. The book's appeal doesn't just stem from it's slightly scary and funny tale of a young witch who is afraid of her older, and meaner, witch sisters, but also for it's inclusion of chapters (perfect for the kid who is always insisting on checking out a chapter book, instead of something from the "little kid" section). Jane Manning's illustrations add humor and context to the story, and the font is incorporated well into the illustrations, with just enough words on the page, and space between lines, for it to not be overwhelming.
June 27, 2008
I was surprised when I looked this book up to see that there are different versions with different artists. I like the art in my copy. It's not particularly sophisticated but I like the idea of witches wearing pink bloomers under their rbes. I would like to see other editions of this book at the library to see how having different art affects my perceptions of the book. I guess the publishers must have felt that the art wasn't serving the story. The story is about a witch who doesn't feel that she can measure up to her older sisters but learns, with the help of an unexpected friend, that she can find and use her own unique talents.
January 12, 2015
THE WITCH WHO WAS AFRAID OF WITCHES
This book is about a girl who is a witch and is afraid of them because the witches are her sisters and treat her badly. They treat her like a servant and are unaware of here. Then one day they go out to scare some tricker treaters and tell her to turn the lights of and not let anybody in. But then one boy comes and knocks on the door the witch said that there is nobody home but still opens the door and then gets out of the house and goes to the boys house
for a new witch broom because the other broke and has no more power.
This book is about a girl who is a witch and is afraid of them because the witches are her sisters and treat her badly. They treat her like a servant and are unaware of here. Then one day they go out to scare some tricker treaters and tell her to turn the lights of and not let anybody in. But then one boy comes and knocks on the door the witch said that there is nobody home but still opens the door and then gets out of the house and goes to the boys house
for a new witch broom because the other broke and has no more power.
August 28, 2009
The Witch Who Was Afraid of Witches
by Jane Manning
Level 2 Book
The book has good pictures ,and it is about 3 witches that don’t get along. All of them think they’re better except Wendy . She knew her sisters are better than her . Will her sisters lose their powers? This book has some rhyme in it. This is a interesting book because it doesn’t have a theme. Most of the 6 and 5 year olds would like The Witch Who Was Afraid of Witches.
by Jane Manning
Level 2 Book
The book has good pictures ,and it is about 3 witches that don’t get along. All of them think they’re better except Wendy . She knew her sisters are better than her . Will her sisters lose their powers? This book has some rhyme in it. This is a interesting book because it doesn’t have a theme. Most of the 6 and 5 year olds would like The Witch Who Was Afraid of Witches.
October 18, 2014
I read this to my 6 year old and he loved it! A cute story regarding a little Witch who was afraid of her sisters, and other witches. She is bullied, and often pushed around by her siblings. She finds out through her own experience, that she is a very smart Witch, who has genuine powers. And, her sisters treat her better in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2010
A cute beginning chapter book (with pictures on every page, but more text than the average picture book) about a young witch who is afraid of other witches - including her two older sisters. This is an alternate version of a Cinderella story. Cute but not particularly memorable.
November 12, 2011
A rather fun premise, but not as well done as I had hoped it would be. Kinda like the book was trying to go in too many directions. It ended up succeeding in one of the directions, but another was left hanging.
May 23, 2012
The cover says this is an "Advanced Reader 4 book". However, I would say that it is a 3 at most. The story line was a not that great; but a good book to boost young reader confidence toward making the leap to chapter books.
September 26, 2012
Kids liked it! We're revving up for Halloween and hit the bookstore today to pick up a couple and get ideas for books to look for at the library. There was a fun looking ABC Dia de los Muertes books that I wanted to get but we'll hope the library has it.
January 8, 2016
I grew up with this book, and always loved it. Not only is it full of witches and magic, but it is all about being yourself and finding your own way of doing things. Plus, I always loved the illustrations in the book club edition. :)
April 11, 2012
My daughter Ella loves this book!
November 5, 2013
Alternate title: The Witch Whose Sisters Were Bitches. Because, seriously. They were not nice.
January 24, 2014
This book was amanita!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 26, 2014
Recommended by J. Cute story of a young witch making her own rules in life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews