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The Witch Who Lives Down the Hall
A young boy who lives in an apartment house is convinced that his mysterious new neighbor is a witch
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1985
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 12, 2018
Based on its rather drab cover, and a book description that didn't really pique my interest, I had rather low expectations of Donna Guthrie and Amy Schwartz's The Witch Who Lives Down the Hall, a picture-book I probably wouldn't have picked up from the library at all, were it not for my 'witchy-witches' project. What a mistake that would have been! I was pleasantly surprised this morning, on my commute, to discover what an engaging, fun, witchy adventure it is - definitely one of the better ones I have read so far this season!
Narrated by a young boy, who is convinced that his neighbor, Ms. McWee, is a witch, it lists the many pieces of evidence in favor of the idea - Ms. McWee's grouchy cat, Malcolm, her seemingly supernatural knowledge of the young boy's interests, her very effective 'potion' to defeat colds, and most of all, her love of Halloween - while also noting the more prosaic explanations given by the boy's mother. Following each of these, of course, is the boy's reiteration that he "is not so sure." After a disastrous experience trick-or-treating in his building, the boy makes his way to Ms. McWee's fabulously decorated apartment, where he discovers a true kindred spirit, and decides that, witch or no, she is one magical lady...
I enjoyed everything about The Witch Who Lives Down the Hall, and had I encountered it as a kid - it was published in the 1980s, so I could have encountered it - it would have been a seasonal favorite, I think. The humor to be found in the narrative, with the boy's assertions, his mother's denials, and his dubious reaction to them, is very winsome, while the mostly black and white illustrations, with orange accents, are just charming! The sense of childhood wonder - not something 'sweet,' but rather, real and sharp - is present here... I was reminded of some of my own childhood experiences, like my belief that the creepy dark brown house, up the hill from my own, was haunted. Recommended to anyone in the market for good, witchy Halloween fare!
Narrated by a young boy, who is convinced that his neighbor, Ms. McWee, is a witch, it lists the many pieces of evidence in favor of the idea - Ms. McWee's grouchy cat, Malcolm, her seemingly supernatural knowledge of the young boy's interests, her very effective 'potion' to defeat colds, and most of all, her love of Halloween - while also noting the more prosaic explanations given by the boy's mother. Following each of these, of course, is the boy's reiteration that he "is not so sure." After a disastrous experience trick-or-treating in his building, the boy makes his way to Ms. McWee's fabulously decorated apartment, where he discovers a true kindred spirit, and decides that, witch or no, she is one magical lady...
I enjoyed everything about The Witch Who Lives Down the Hall, and had I encountered it as a kid - it was published in the 1980s, so I could have encountered it - it would have been a seasonal favorite, I think. The humor to be found in the narrative, with the boy's assertions, his mother's denials, and his dubious reaction to them, is very winsome, while the mostly black and white illustrations, with orange accents, are just charming! The sense of childhood wonder - not something 'sweet,' but rather, real and sharp - is present here... I was reminded of some of my own childhood experiences, like my belief that the creepy dark brown house, up the hill from my own, was haunted. Recommended to anyone in the market for good, witchy Halloween fare!
October 17, 2011
This is a fun book for Halloween. It shows that some neighbors aren't going to get into the spirit of the holiday, but that others love it. It also shows how children can have very vivid and wild imaginations. But mainly, I think, it teaches us not to judge people before we get to know them...they just might surprise us.
The illustrations are lovely in black, white and orange, and they complement the story nicely. And we loved the repetition of the little boy saying, "I'm not so sure." We really enjoyed reading this book together.
The illustrations are lovely in black, white and orange, and they complement the story nicely. And we loved the repetition of the little boy saying, "I'm not so sure." We really enjoyed reading this book together.
November 2, 2017
This is one of my all-time favorite children’s books. I love opening it up and reading every year at Halloween. Why can’t we all have a Ms. McWee living down the hall?
May 28, 2018
This book was one of my absolute favorites as a child, and was lost in the recesses of my memory. I had a dream about it the other night, strangely, and remembered how much I had loved it!
September 29, 2017
A fun aspect of being a librarian is while doing research in the stacks, you come across a gem that spikes your curiosity, something that normally you wouldn't pick up when doing a quick browse. This book was a surprise winner. A new Halloween favorite read aloud. It helps that the 1980's illustrations are pretty rad as well.
July 22, 2020
Best Halloween story ever.
May 2, 2019
I love little books like this! I actually found this at a used bookstore and I loved the vintage look to it. I knew I had to have it for my son. He’s just a baby but I decided to read it to him yesterday since he was active and alert. It was such a cute little story! I absolutely love the illustrations! I would have loved this book when I was a little girl and it seemed like a book my nana would have had.
October 25, 2020
We loved this book. I read it to my kids and we talked about making assumptions about people by their appearance vs getting to know them. We also took the opportunity to talk about the history of witches, and whether they were really bad and scary (parents can read Witches, Midwives and Nurses, as well as Woman as Healer to get some really good information to share in age appropriate ways). We got this from the library, but I will buy us our own copy!
October 16, 2022
A friend recommended this for the Halloween season and I can’t say enough good about it! Love the black and white with just a hint of orange illustrations. Love the repetition of “I’m not so sure” in the text. Really just love the whole kit and caboodle! Fantastic book.
August 8, 2017
genuinely a cute story, with cute illustrations and a pretty good ending. This one comes with my recommendations.
May 23, 2018
Enjoyable read with just enough spookiness to entertain a preschooler
July 30, 2020
surprisingly cute for a dated book
October 31, 2021
Phenomenal. I loved it even more than when I was a kid. The artwork is fantastic and the story is sassy and fun. Excellent little Halloween story to read before bed or with your kids/neices/nephews
July 15, 2022
Excellent story and even more excellent illustrations. A classic. Cannot recommend this book enough!!
June 5, 2024
My favorite book as a kid. So glad I finally found a copy on Amazon.
January 19, 2023
A fun little Halloween book about a curious little boy and the mysterious lady down the hall.
February 18, 2011
A boy lives in an apartment building. He is convinced the lady who lives down the hall is a witch. He keeps pointing out things. Mom always has a reasonable explanation. The boy isn't so sure. He comes around, however, on Halloween when the witch entertains him.
Cute story. I liked it.
****
Read it to the students again today. Thirty-three years ago stories were told differently. A far more innocent approach to things. I rather like it.
Cute story. I liked it.
****
Read it to the students again today. Thirty-three years ago stories were told differently. A far more innocent approach to things. I rather like it.
October 27, 2011
Why I picked it up: A picture book about Halloween will always get me and with a witch theme especially.
Why I finished it: Adorable story. I am pleased that it's really progressive for being an 80's children's picture book.
I'd give it to: I couldn't recommend it more to any parent, especially pagan parents looking for relevant books for their children.
Best Line: "Witches love Halloween...Witches give the best Halloween parties."
October 2, 2010
This was a story that my 6 year old and 4 year old read with me for one of their reading logs.
My 6 year old thought that the story was good, and liked it very much. He liked the picture of the skull and globe. It was a little long for a six year old who is learning to read.
My 4 year old enjoyed the story and picking out the pictures of the cat.
My 6 year old thought that the story was good, and liked it very much. He liked the picture of the skull and globe. It was a little long for a six year old who is learning to read.
My 4 year old enjoyed the story and picking out the pictures of the cat.
February 17, 2008
This was my son's fav for a very long time- no one of my grand-daughters favorites! A witch positive story from a little boys perspective.
June 24, 2009
A childhood favorite <3
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews