Bunya the Witch

by Robert Kraus, Mischa Richter (Illustrator)

Strange things occur when the old lady living on the edge of town discovers her magical powers.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Robert Kraus was an American children's author, cartoonist and publisher. Founder and publisher of Windmill Books, author and illustrator of award-winning children's books, Kraus began as a cartoonist and cover artist for The New Yorker. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_...]

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Constantly tormented by the village children, who insist on calling her a witch, the elderly Bunya denies the charge, until the words "Hocus Pocus" turn all of the children into frogs. When their irate parents come calling, demanding she reverse her spell, Bunya's efforts to explain, including describing how she said "Hocus Pocus," turn the village adults into pigs. Her efforts to undo these actions are successful, leading the villagers young and old to adopt a newly respectful attitude to their neighbor. That redoubtable old lady, however, wants their compliments no more than she does their insults, and delighted with her newfound powers, sets out to travel the world...

Originally published in 1971, and then reprinted in the edition I read in 1989, Bunya the Witch is a humorous and entertaining take on the witchy tale. I've read hundreds of picture books featuring witches—witchy picture books and early reviewers are a pet project of mine—and I find they usually fall into either the sweet witch category, or the less common but still present nasty/scary witch category. This one is something of an anomaly—an unknowing witch who discovers her powers after being the target of prejudice and harassment, and who, although essentially goodhearted, is a little too tart to be sweet. The figure of the crone—the old woman who is mistaken for a witch by superstitious or ignorant people—is a fascinating one, and although Bunya doesn't end up falling into that category, one feels the story draws on that theme. How fortunate that she ended up being a witch after all, as this allowed her to put a stop to the children's terror campaign against her; and despite her remorse, how richly those children deserved being turned into frogs! Although this won't be going on any favorites list, I'm glad to have read it, both for author Robert Kraus' amusing tale of a wise old woman and some villagers who got taught a lesson, and illustrator Mischa Richter's humorous cartoon-like illustrations. Recommended to picture book readers who enjoy witchy fare that's sharp and on the funny side.

[Debi Cates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is a witch story I can dig!

[Maggie Ignasiak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite bedtime reads as a child with my Mom. It’s classic and reflects my parent’s parenting style.