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Tales From the Care Bears
The Witch Down the Street
Three Care Bears show Melissa that Mrs. Burke is not a witch, but just an old lonely woman, who needs a friend
- GenresChildrensPicture Books
44 pages, Library Binding
First published March 1, 1983
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 18, 2020
Although she had once been friends with her neighbor Mrs. Burke, an elderly woman who lived alone with her cat, Melissa allows herself to be convinced by neighborhood rumors and her new school friends that the older woman is a witch. Prompted by one of these friends, she leaves a mean note on Mrs. Burke's door, even though she knows it isn't right. Then three Care Bears from the land of Care-a-Lot - Love-a-Lot Bear, Birthday Bear and Funshine Bear - appear and help her to see that she has nothing to be frightened of, and that Mrs. Burke is a lonely person in need of friendship...
The Care Bears were immensely popular when I was a girl, and although I didn't have any, I definitely had friends who did. Each bear had a special task, something that would help children to be in better touch with their emotions, and to be more caring to one another, and that task was always represented by a little emblem on their bellies. In any case, there have also been Care Bear television shows, movies, and this line of picture-books, each one teaching some important lesson. The story here - an elderly woman is mistaken by local children for a witch - is an extremely common one, both in children's literature and in real childhood. I recall that the neighborhood children where I grew up spread similar rumors about ancient Mrs. Ogilvy, who lived in a massive, dark-wood-shingled house on my street. I think that this is both common and natural, the fear young children sometimes have of the very elderly, especially when they appear grumpy or unfriendly, and it is something that adult caregivers should be mindful of, and address in a reassuring way. Thankfully, I was never disrespectful or inconsiderate toward Mrs. Ogilvy, but I also don't recall being kind or neighborly.
In any case, I found the story here sweet, the message on point, and the artwork colorful and cute, in a distinctly 1980s cartoon style. This is not a book I would normally have picked up, as I have little real interest in the Care Bears, despite my recollection of them, but I found it on a list of witchy picture-books. In the end, it isn't so much a witchy tale as it is a story of intergenerational friendship, and the ability of love and kindness to drive out fear and prejudice. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories that address the fear of elderly neighbors.
The Care Bears were immensely popular when I was a girl, and although I didn't have any, I definitely had friends who did. Each bear had a special task, something that would help children to be in better touch with their emotions, and to be more caring to one another, and that task was always represented by a little emblem on their bellies. In any case, there have also been Care Bear television shows, movies, and this line of picture-books, each one teaching some important lesson. The story here - an elderly woman is mistaken by local children for a witch - is an extremely common one, both in children's literature and in real childhood. I recall that the neighborhood children where I grew up spread similar rumors about ancient Mrs. Ogilvy, who lived in a massive, dark-wood-shingled house on my street. I think that this is both common and natural, the fear young children sometimes have of the very elderly, especially when they appear grumpy or unfriendly, and it is something that adult caregivers should be mindful of, and address in a reassuring way. Thankfully, I was never disrespectful or inconsiderate toward Mrs. Ogilvy, but I also don't recall being kind or neighborly.
In any case, I found the story here sweet, the message on point, and the artwork colorful and cute, in a distinctly 1980s cartoon style. This is not a book I would normally have picked up, as I have little real interest in the Care Bears, despite my recollection of them, but I found it on a list of witchy picture-books. In the end, it isn't so much a witchy tale as it is a story of intergenerational friendship, and the ability of love and kindness to drive out fear and prejudice. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories that address the fear of elderly neighbors.
November 6, 2022
Classic care bears. Very sweet read.
April 2, 2025
The Witch Down the Street (Updated)
Melissa is walking home when she passes Mrs. Burke’s house. She comes out, greets her warmly, and asks if she’s like to come in for cookies. She hasn’t seen her lately. Melissa says no thank and quickly rushes off.
Melissa use to visit Mrs. Burke when she was younger, but now that she’s in school the other kids say Mrs. Burke is a witch. She does have a black cat that she talks to. So that means she *has* to be. Then the other kids say she hands out poison apples on Halloween.
Melissa lets her friend Jamie peer pressure a mean note on Mrs. Burke’s door. She rings the doorbell, puts the note on the door, hides, and then watches as Mrs. Burke reads the note, stares at it for a minute, and then goes back in the house. The note says Mrs. Burke is old and mean. The ugliest witch we’ve ever seen. Melissa knows she’s supposed to be happy about it, but it doesn’t feel as good as she thought it would.
The next day, Melissa sees a little bear with two hearts on it’s stomach stuffing the blue mailbox on the corner with envelopes. Not only is that strange but it can float. (It floats up to the top of the mail box and then plops back to the ground). Melissa asks what he’s doing and he says mailing friendship notes. He says he loves to have friends. Melissa says he must have a lot of them. He says he knows a lot of people who *need* friends.
Melissa asks if he lives here. He says he lives in Care-A-Lot with the rest of the Care Bears. It’s nice there, but the mailbox he uses was full. Melissa has never seen such a unusual bear and asks what his name is. He says Love-A-Lot. He helps people love each other. If love doesn’t find a way he will. (Where in the world was he when I was dating?). Love-A-Lot scopes up some snow and makes two hearts. He hands one to Melissa. He puts the other one on Mrs. Burkes front stoop. Melissa asks why he did that and he says everyone needs love. Melissa says even witches. He corrects her and says even lonely old ladies.
She says everyone knows she’s a witch. He counters no. Some people *say* she’s a witch. Melissa says all the kids are scared of her and Love-A-Lot says then she must need a lot of love. He then gives her another snow heart. She thanks him but asks him why he gave her another. He says it’s more fun to give his love away. Then he says he has to go . He has more notes to mail and he scampers off.
When she gets home, there’s a another Care Bear on her desk. This one is yellow. He says his name is Birthday Bear. Love-A-Lot sent him. Melissa is confused. It’s not her birthday for two months, but he says someone else they know has a birthday the day after tomorrow. He says he needs to plan but first things first. He asks for a jelly sandwich and some soda. Then he gets down to it. He says birthdays should be happy. But what about someone who lives by herself and hasn’t been happy in a long time. Someone people like to sometimes play tricks on.. (hint, hint)?
Melissa realizes he means Mrs. Burke. She protest. She’s a witch. Birthday Bear says no. She’s just a lonely, old, lady that needs a friend. Then he starts to play the birthday song on Melissa’s piano and gets her to sing along. All of a sudden, she knows what to do for Mrs. Burke’s birthday and she feels good inside.
The next day she starts to get cold feet tho. She goes outside and sees another bear on he lawn. This one has a smiling fun on it’s tummy. He says his name is Funshine and he tries to enjoy every moment of the day. He says he loves to make snow bears but it’s more fun when you share it with a friend. Melissa teases him and says he must be a SHARE bear. He suggests a fun thing to do and that’s having a party. Maybe they can have it for someone whose name he forgot. She fills in the blank for him. It’s Mrs. Burke.
He says she needs some fun on her birthday. Melissa asks if he’ll come with her and he says he sure will. He’ll even stay outside to make sure she’s having a good time. Mrs. Burke asks what she wants when she gets the courage up to ring the doorbell. Making me think she saw her slip her the note. Melissa tells her happy birthday. Mrs. Burke gets all emotional because she knew and asked how she knew. She tells her someone who cares told her. She then gives her the card and Mrs. Burke is overwhelmed and says no ones given her a card in years.
It's then Melissa knows the Care Bears are right. Mrs. Burke isn’t a witch at all. They go inside and have apple pie and sing happy birthday. Melissa says 3 sets of eyes looking in the window and she knows that the Care Bears have come to the party. When Melissa gets home there’s a note on her front door that says: This is a friendship note to a special girl. Always remember to share your heart and please remember us. Your friends Funshine, Birthday, and Love-A-Lot.
My Thoughts
Because I am a “witch”, I don’t particularly like books that people show cruelness to people that they *think* are different . There was NO REASON (logically) that these kids tried to say Miss Burke was witch. Anyone can have a black cat. If anyone that has a black cat is considered a witch, I bet there are more witch’s than we know. You also can’t say someone is a witch because there was a rumor she poised the apples on her tree before Halloween. Could anyone back this up that got sick off one of these “supposed” apples? Then even if she *was* a witch, did that mean they had to write her cruel notes and prank her? Even more reason for her to use her magic on them if she was one. If she *was* a witch, more than likely she just wanted to be left alone. Or like the book pointed out she was lonely. Witches are still people. Had she been a witch she’d probably still need a friend because she’s isolated. I know the point of the book was you shouldn’t assume someone is something based on what someone else says. But what I really think we should take from this is just because someone is different they don’t deserve prejudice and un-rational treatment for it because everyone needs friends and understanding.
Rating: 8 Sometimes the simplest books like this one have the biggest lessons! And this one gives one of the best there is.
Melissa is walking home when she passes Mrs. Burke’s house. She comes out, greets her warmly, and asks if she’s like to come in for cookies. She hasn’t seen her lately. Melissa says no thank and quickly rushes off.
Melissa use to visit Mrs. Burke when she was younger, but now that she’s in school the other kids say Mrs. Burke is a witch. She does have a black cat that she talks to. So that means she *has* to be. Then the other kids say she hands out poison apples on Halloween.
Melissa lets her friend Jamie peer pressure a mean note on Mrs. Burke’s door. She rings the doorbell, puts the note on the door, hides, and then watches as Mrs. Burke reads the note, stares at it for a minute, and then goes back in the house. The note says Mrs. Burke is old and mean. The ugliest witch we’ve ever seen. Melissa knows she’s supposed to be happy about it, but it doesn’t feel as good as she thought it would.
The next day, Melissa sees a little bear with two hearts on it’s stomach stuffing the blue mailbox on the corner with envelopes. Not only is that strange but it can float. (It floats up to the top of the mail box and then plops back to the ground). Melissa asks what he’s doing and he says mailing friendship notes. He says he loves to have friends. Melissa says he must have a lot of them. He says he knows a lot of people who *need* friends.
Melissa asks if he lives here. He says he lives in Care-A-Lot with the rest of the Care Bears. It’s nice there, but the mailbox he uses was full. Melissa has never seen such a unusual bear and asks what his name is. He says Love-A-Lot. He helps people love each other. If love doesn’t find a way he will. (Where in the world was he when I was dating?). Love-A-Lot scopes up some snow and makes two hearts. He hands one to Melissa. He puts the other one on Mrs. Burkes front stoop. Melissa asks why he did that and he says everyone needs love. Melissa says even witches. He corrects her and says even lonely old ladies.
She says everyone knows she’s a witch. He counters no. Some people *say* she’s a witch. Melissa says all the kids are scared of her and Love-A-Lot says then she must need a lot of love. He then gives her another snow heart. She thanks him but asks him why he gave her another. He says it’s more fun to give his love away. Then he says he has to go . He has more notes to mail and he scampers off.
When she gets home, there’s a another Care Bear on her desk. This one is yellow. He says his name is Birthday Bear. Love-A-Lot sent him. Melissa is confused. It’s not her birthday for two months, but he says someone else they know has a birthday the day after tomorrow. He says he needs to plan but first things first. He asks for a jelly sandwich and some soda. Then he gets down to it. He says birthdays should be happy. But what about someone who lives by herself and hasn’t been happy in a long time. Someone people like to sometimes play tricks on.. (hint, hint)?
Melissa realizes he means Mrs. Burke. She protest. She’s a witch. Birthday Bear says no. She’s just a lonely, old, lady that needs a friend. Then he starts to play the birthday song on Melissa’s piano and gets her to sing along. All of a sudden, she knows what to do for Mrs. Burke’s birthday and she feels good inside.
The next day she starts to get cold feet tho. She goes outside and sees another bear on he lawn. This one has a smiling fun on it’s tummy. He says his name is Funshine and he tries to enjoy every moment of the day. He says he loves to make snow bears but it’s more fun when you share it with a friend. Melissa teases him and says he must be a SHARE bear. He suggests a fun thing to do and that’s having a party. Maybe they can have it for someone whose name he forgot. She fills in the blank for him. It’s Mrs. Burke.
He says she needs some fun on her birthday. Melissa asks if he’ll come with her and he says he sure will. He’ll even stay outside to make sure she’s having a good time. Mrs. Burke asks what she wants when she gets the courage up to ring the doorbell. Making me think she saw her slip her the note. Melissa tells her happy birthday. Mrs. Burke gets all emotional because she knew and asked how she knew. She tells her someone who cares told her. She then gives her the card and Mrs. Burke is overwhelmed and says no ones given her a card in years.
It's then Melissa knows the Care Bears are right. Mrs. Burke isn’t a witch at all. They go inside and have apple pie and sing happy birthday. Melissa says 3 sets of eyes looking in the window and she knows that the Care Bears have come to the party. When Melissa gets home there’s a note on her front door that says: This is a friendship note to a special girl. Always remember to share your heart and please remember us. Your friends Funshine, Birthday, and Love-A-Lot.
My Thoughts
Because I am a “witch”, I don’t particularly like books that people show cruelness to people that they *think* are different . There was NO REASON (logically) that these kids tried to say Miss Burke was witch. Anyone can have a black cat. If anyone that has a black cat is considered a witch, I bet there are more witch’s than we know. You also can’t say someone is a witch because there was a rumor she poised the apples on her tree before Halloween. Could anyone back this up that got sick off one of these “supposed” apples? Then even if she *was* a witch, did that mean they had to write her cruel notes and prank her? Even more reason for her to use her magic on them if she was one. If she *was* a witch, more than likely she just wanted to be left alone. Or like the book pointed out she was lonely. Witches are still people. Had she been a witch she’d probably still need a friend because she’s isolated. I know the point of the book was you shouldn’t assume someone is something based on what someone else says. But what I really think we should take from this is just because someone is different they don’t deserve prejudice and un-rational treatment for it because everyone needs friends and understanding.
Rating: 8 Sometimes the simplest books like this one have the biggest lessons! And this one gives one of the best there is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2018
I loved introducing my kids to the Care Bears that I remember. Cute story that teaches you to be nice, since you probably don’t know what someone is going through.
November 22, 2017
Only 3 Care Bears and not a single real witch. LET DOWN! TWO STARS!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews