Old Mother Witch

by Carol Carrick, Donald Carrick (Illustrator)

Goaded by his trick-or-treating friends to ring the doorbell of his cranky next-door neighbor, David experiences real fear

Genres: Picture Books, Halloween

32 pages, Paperback

First published December 12, 1975

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trick-or-treating one Halloween night with his friends, David allows himself to be pressured into playing a trick on his elderly neighbor, Mrs. Oliver, whom the local children have dubbed "Old Mother Witch." Sneaking up onto her porch, he stumbles over something in the dark, and discovers that real life can be more frightening than story creatures like monsters and witches. It turns out that Mrs. Oliver has had a heart attack, and lying helpless on her porch, needs David's aid...

Old Mother Witch is the second book I have read from author Carol Carrick, following upon her retelling of Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp , and the sixth from illustrator Donald Carrick. It pairs an immensely poignant but understated tale of intergenerational mistrust and fear with strikingly expressive artwork that captures both the shadowy menace of Halloween night, and the warmth of David's home. The initial story idea - a grouchy old woman is named a witch by the neighborhood children - reminded me of Stephanie Morgan's The Witch Down the Street , a picture-book that is part of the Tales from the Care Bears series. The Carricks' story however, has deeper emotional currents, sensitively exploring the way in which the very young sometimes fear the very old, whom they do not understand, as well as the role peer pressure plays in encouraging unkind behavior. Finally, through David's actions in helping Mrs. Oliver, and later, his remorse for his conduct, it offers the hope of friendship and a better understanding between the generations. I found this an immensely poignant and lovely book, appreciating both story and illustration, and I will look for more from both of the Carricks. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories that encourage a more thoughtful and kindhearted approach to how we treat the elderly, even when they appear grouchy or aloof.

[Regan Flieg · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was fine, but not my favorite. Not exactly a Halloween book but not exactly not a Halloween book. It's wordy for a picture book but not quite at "chapter book" level. I do like the art though! That's what initially caught my eye.

[Tara Mensing · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of children in a neighborhood who live next to a grumpy old woman, the children call the old woman, "Old Mother Witch."

The main character, David, approaches the old woman's door one Halloween night (as he was pressured by his friends to play a trick on her) and he discovers the old women lying on the ground having a heart attack. This book contains bits of dialogue as well as the moral message of helping the elderly, and finally, this book could introduce the topic of peer pressure.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good story that will hopefully change children's attitudes about older people, especially old cranky neighbors. It is appropriate for Halloween and is a good book to read aloud.

[Beckey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story starts out like Halloween book but it's more than that it's about how children treat older cranky people... & how to...