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The Widow's Broom
Realistic and expressive black-and-white illustrations enhance an eerie story about a widow who helps a fallen witch who overestimated the power of her broom. 100,000 first printing. All ages.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1992
31 people are currently reading
2141 people want to read
About the author
Chris Van Allsburg
56 books1,130 followersChris was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on June 18, 1949, the second child of Doris Christiansen Van Allsburg and Richard Van Allsburg. His sister Karen was born in 1947.
Chris’s paternal grandfather, Peter, owned and operated a creamery, a place where milk was turned into butter, cream, cottage cheese, and ice cream. It was named East End Creamery and after they bottled the milk (and made the other products) they delivered it to homes all around Grand Rapids in yellow and blue trucks.
When Chris was born, his family lived in an old farm house next door to the large brick creamery building. It was a very old house that, like the little house in Virginia Lee Burton’s story, had once looked over farmland. But by 1949, the house was surrounded by buildings and other houses. Chris’s father ran the dairy with Chris’s three uncles after his grandfather Peter retired.
When Chris was three years old, his family moved to a new house at the edge of Grand Rapids that was part of a development; a kind of planned neighborhood, that was still being built.
There remained many open fields and streams and ponds where a boy could catch minnows and frogs, or see a firefly at night. It was about a mile and a half to Breton Downs School, which Chris walked to every day and attended until 6th grade, when the Van Allsburg family moved again.
The next house they lived in was an old brick Tudor Style house in East Grand Rapids. It was a street that looked like the street on the cover of The Polar Express. The houses were all set back the same distance from the street. Between the street and the sidewalk grew enormous Elm trees whose branches reached up and touched the branches of the trees on the other side of the street. Chris moved to this street with his mom, dad, sister, and two Siamese cats. One named Fafner and the other name Eloise.
Chris went to junior and senior high school in East Grand Rapids. He didn’t take art classes during this time. His interests and talents seemed to be more in the area of math and science.
Chris’s paternal grandfather, Peter, owned and operated a creamery, a place where milk was turned into butter, cream, cottage cheese, and ice cream. It was named East End Creamery and after they bottled the milk (and made the other products) they delivered it to homes all around Grand Rapids in yellow and blue trucks.
When Chris was born, his family lived in an old farm house next door to the large brick creamery building. It was a very old house that, like the little house in Virginia Lee Burton’s story, had once looked over farmland. But by 1949, the house was surrounded by buildings and other houses. Chris’s father ran the dairy with Chris’s three uncles after his grandfather Peter retired.
When Chris was three years old, his family moved to a new house at the edge of Grand Rapids that was part of a development; a kind of planned neighborhood, that was still being built.
There remained many open fields and streams and ponds where a boy could catch minnows and frogs, or see a firefly at night. It was about a mile and a half to Breton Downs School, which Chris walked to every day and attended until 6th grade, when the Van Allsburg family moved again.
The next house they lived in was an old brick Tudor Style house in East Grand Rapids. It was a street that looked like the street on the cover of The Polar Express. The houses were all set back the same distance from the street. Between the street and the sidewalk grew enormous Elm trees whose branches reached up and touched the branches of the trees on the other side of the street. Chris moved to this street with his mom, dad, sister, and two Siamese cats. One named Fafner and the other name Eloise.
Chris went to junior and senior high school in East Grand Rapids. He didn’t take art classes during this time. His interests and talents seemed to be more in the area of math and science.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 451 reviews
October 1, 2019
This isn’t necessarily a Halloween book. It’s set in the fall and there is a witch in it, but it’s really an anytime book. I’m going to go ahead and put it in the holiday reviews I do, but I read this earlier in the year and it was fun.
The artwork is Stunning and unbelievable. This is a beautiful book. So much love and detail went into the making of it.
A witch is flying in the sky and her broom is old and it dies and falls out of the sky. She lands in the vegetable garden of a kindly woman living alone. She brings the witch inside and lets her heal. The witch recovers and she has a friend come and pick her up while the lady is sleeping. The broom is left at the house and the woman thinks it’s now a normal broom so she uses it. One day, it starts sweeping on its own. The woman thinks this is great, but it doesn’t stop sweeping and drives her crazy. So, she teaches it new chores to do and it plays the piano too, one note at a time. A neighbor sees this and thinks its evil and soon everyone has heard of this broom and comes to see it. Then the neighbor boys start messing with the broom and the broom defends itself. I love how this plays out. I think you should read it.
It’s a clever story. It’s a longer story, but it’s a fun one during the Halloween season. It’s not really scary, there are witches and ghost and it’s a delight to read.
The nephew thought this was hilarious. He loved the broom flinging the dog away into the sky (it’s not hurt). He thought this was a fun story and he gave this 3 stars. The niece read this one with us. I lured her in tonight. She loved the artwork and she thought the story was lighthearted and fun. She gave this 3 stars too.
The artwork is Stunning and unbelievable. This is a beautiful book. So much love and detail went into the making of it.
A witch is flying in the sky and her broom is old and it dies and falls out of the sky. She lands in the vegetable garden of a kindly woman living alone. She brings the witch inside and lets her heal. The witch recovers and she has a friend come and pick her up while the lady is sleeping. The broom is left at the house and the woman thinks it’s now a normal broom so she uses it. One day, it starts sweeping on its own. The woman thinks this is great, but it doesn’t stop sweeping and drives her crazy. So, she teaches it new chores to do and it plays the piano too, one note at a time. A neighbor sees this and thinks its evil and soon everyone has heard of this broom and comes to see it. Then the neighbor boys start messing with the broom and the broom defends itself. I love how this plays out. I think you should read it.
It’s a clever story. It’s a longer story, but it’s a fun one during the Halloween season. It’s not really scary, there are witches and ghost and it’s a delight to read.
The nephew thought this was hilarious. He loved the broom flinging the dog away into the sky (it’s not hurt). He thought this was a fun story and he gave this 3 stars. The niece read this one with us. I lured her in tonight. She loved the artwork and she thought the story was lighthearted and fun. She gave this 3 stars too.
October 11, 2017
“The Widow’s Broom” is a haunting story from the great mind of Chris Van Allsburg and it is about how a lonely widow named Minna Shaw finds a friend in a witch’s broom, but is threatened by the villagers to get rid of the broom because the know that it is witch crafted. “The Widow’s Broom” may have some controversial material about witchcraft, but it is a brilliant read for children who love haunting stories.
Chris Van Allsburg makes this story haunting yet memorable at the same time as it details the story of friendship between a widow and her broom and the bond that Minna Shaw and the broom share together will definitely show children about the importance of friendship even in the worse of times such as when the broom was being harassed by the villagers because it was witch crafted. Chris Van Allsburg’s illustrations are highly beautiful and haunting at the same time as the images are mainly in black and white giving the story a haunting and old fashioned feel since this story probably took place during the 1700s and the image that stood out the most was the image of the broom itself as its handle actually curves when it is doing the work for Minna and because the broom looks so innocent and friendly, many children would actually like the broom instead of fear it.
Parents should know that the theme of witchcraft in this book might be too sensitive to readers who do not approve of witchcraft, even though personally, this subject does not bother me so much since I am a huge fan of Harry Potter, but the broom in this book was friendly and he only threw up the Spivey boys and the dog because they were harassing the broom. Depending on your views on the subject on witchcraft, parents should talk about this book with their children and see how they handle the witchcraft theme.
“The Widow’s Broom” is a brilliant book about the importance of true friendship and will be an instant treat for children who love reading haunting books. I would recommend this book to children ages five and up due to the witchcraft theme might be scary for smaller children.
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
October 24, 2019
Brilliant picture-book practitioner Chris Van Allsburg - two-time winner of the Caldecott Medal, for
Jumanji
and
The Polar Express
, as well as a Caldecott Honor, for
The Garden of Abdul Gasazi
- delivers a deliciously spooky reading experience with The Widow's Broom, a book which boasts both an engrossing story, and gorgeous illustrations. "Witches' brooms don't last forever," it begins, proceeding to unfold the story of widow Nina Shaw, who aids the injured witch who crash-lands in her field, and is rewarded with the mostly magic-less broom that she leaves behind. Mostly magic-less, but still enchanted, the broom becomes a helper and companion for the lonely widow, assisting her with the chores, and playing the piano for her. Until, that is, the widow's frightened and superstitious neighbors, led by the vindictive and nosy Mr. Spivey, decide that the broom must be the work of the devil...
As with all good stories, The Widow's Broom can be read and understood on a variety of levels, whether it be as a spooky tale of magic, suitable for the Halloween season, or as a meditation on the dangers and futility of superstition, and (implied) religious intolerance. The idea that we often create a world in which our fears are brought to life, through a kind of self-fulfilling prophecy - Mr. Spivey believes that the broom is evil and dangerous, and his sons, having doubtlessly picked up on this idea, persecute the broom, which retaliates in kind, proving that it can be very dangerous indeed - is subtly conveyed in the story, as is the notion that things are rarely as they seem (love that surprise ending!). The illustrations are simply breathtaking: done all in black and white, they have a kind of sepia tone to them, and ably capture the depths of shadow and presence of light, in each scene being depicted. There is a sense of mystery and magic here, that is perfectly suited to the tale at hand. I think my favorite image was of the witch, grasping her billowing cloak, her face turned to the side: so powerful, so frightening and beautiful, all at once!
With a strong story, complete with surprise ending, and beautifully rich artwork, The Widow's Broom is a book I highly recommend: to anyone who is looking for engagingly witchy tales (at Halloween, or any other time of the year), or who is an admirer of Van Allsburg's artwork!
As with all good stories, The Widow's Broom can be read and understood on a variety of levels, whether it be as a spooky tale of magic, suitable for the Halloween season, or as a meditation on the dangers and futility of superstition, and (implied) religious intolerance. The idea that we often create a world in which our fears are brought to life, through a kind of self-fulfilling prophecy - Mr. Spivey believes that the broom is evil and dangerous, and his sons, having doubtlessly picked up on this idea, persecute the broom, which retaliates in kind, proving that it can be very dangerous indeed - is subtly conveyed in the story, as is the notion that things are rarely as they seem (love that surprise ending!). The illustrations are simply breathtaking: done all in black and white, they have a kind of sepia tone to them, and ably capture the depths of shadow and presence of light, in each scene being depicted. There is a sense of mystery and magic here, that is perfectly suited to the tale at hand. I think my favorite image was of the witch, grasping her billowing cloak, her face turned to the side: so powerful, so frightening and beautiful, all at once!
With a strong story, complete with surprise ending, and beautifully rich artwork, The Widow's Broom is a book I highly recommend: to anyone who is looking for engagingly witchy tales (at Halloween, or any other time of the year), or who is an admirer of Van Allsburg's artwork!
October 9, 2015
I absolutely LOVED this book! Contained within these magical pages are an unfortunate witch, a kindly and patient widow, some superstitious neighbors and the most industrious broom since, well, this guy -
Truly wonderful!
Truly wonderful!
August 11, 2010
I love, love, love how Van Allsburg refrains from making the witch old and ugly. The broom - steals my heart.
January 5, 2013
This is one of my favorite Chris Van Allsburg books. As he often does in his picture books, the author/illustrator plays with reality and fantasy, adding a twist at the end. When a witch falls from the sky, she leaves behind her broom as thanks to Minna Shaw for helping her recover. Minna doesn't expect much from the broom, but it has magical powers and sweeps her floors and chops her wood. After her neighbor Mr. Spivey considers it the devil's handiwork and his two sons accost the broom, several members of the community decide to confiscate and destroy it. Minna gets the last word, though, since the spirit of the broom comes back to haunt the Spiveys. Just as I wince when I see that picture of the broom brandishing an axe in the woods, I smile every time I see that last illustration showing the contented Minna Shaw, relaxing and keeping her secret. If the neighbors wouldn't leave Minna and her broom alone, the two of them will take matters into their own hands. This book provides much conversational grist, and I like it more each time I read it.
November 1, 2017
A nice little tale for Halloween
November 5, 2017
An enchanting book with beautiful artwork-just loved this!
October 27, 2022
The Widow’s Broom (My Kindle Review)
Who would’ve thought that a witch’s broom would make an interesting character? An elderly widow gets a witchy surprise when a witch and her broom land at her home, but when the witch leaves her broom it slowly becomes a lovely helper for her and her home that’ll shock her neighbors. It’s a calm cozy story that matches well with Allsburg’s superb illustrations. Not so wicked, more warm and inviting. A (100%/Outstanding)
Who would’ve thought that a witch’s broom would make an interesting character? An elderly widow gets a witchy surprise when a witch and her broom land at her home, but when the witch leaves her broom it slowly becomes a lovely helper for her and her home that’ll shock her neighbors. It’s a calm cozy story that matches well with Allsburg’s superb illustrations. Not so wicked, more warm and inviting. A (100%/Outstanding)
May 14, 2020
Esperaba otra cosa, sin embargo es un relato cargado de magia con hermosas ilustraciones en tono sepia.
September 7, 2021
This one was also a cover buy. I saw it high in the rafters of my favorite indie bookshop! (Well… it was on a very high shelf, almost to the ceiling, so that would be the rafters, right? Anyway…) And I knew I couldn’t leave the shop without it, even though the dust jacket was bent and ripped in places. The illustration on the cover was too stunning for me to pass on this book.
The Widow’s Broom is a children’s fantasy picture book about Minna Shaw, a widow who lives alone in a small farmhouse. One day, Minna finds a witch who had crash-landed in her vegetable patch. It seems that the magic in witch’s broom had run out. After healing, the witch leaves the farm and her broom behind. But, apparently not all the magic had run out because the broom is able to help Minna with tasks around the house.
I enjoyed reading this one. It is a little longer than some children’s picture books I’ve read. It has a Halloween vibe to it since the story is set in the fall and includes witches and a possible haunting. The story also touches on witch trials a bit as we see Minna’s neighbors give in to their fear of the unknown and unfamiliar and try to get rid of the broom by burning it at a stake. However, it is not scary. The story is simply told and fast paced, and I tended to react more to the illustrations than to the story itself.
ART STYLE
I love it and a major reason why is because of the texture of the medium Van Allsburg used. I did some digging and learned these illustrations where created using a litho pencil (which is very dark, apparently) on a coquille board. I think the texture is from the coquille board. When I googled it, the drawings that pop up have a similar texture. It makes me think of very tiny pixilation. I love it.
Apart from the texture, I also love the sepia tone of the illustrations which, I think, softens the images a bit. I also love how detailed and realistic the illustrations are. I think that’s what drew me to the illustration on the cover and made it stand out from the other picture books on the shelf that have more of a cartoonish quality to their cover illustrations.
OVERALL: ★★★★☆
A great read with detailed illustrations that made for a splendid experience with the book. I’d like to read more by the author. He also did Jumanji and the Polar Express.
As posted on Zezee with Books.
The Widow’s Broom is a children’s fantasy picture book about Minna Shaw, a widow who lives alone in a small farmhouse. One day, Minna finds a witch who had crash-landed in her vegetable patch. It seems that the magic in witch’s broom had run out. After healing, the witch leaves the farm and her broom behind. But, apparently not all the magic had run out because the broom is able to help Minna with tasks around the house.
I enjoyed reading this one. It is a little longer than some children’s picture books I’ve read. It has a Halloween vibe to it since the story is set in the fall and includes witches and a possible haunting. The story also touches on witch trials a bit as we see Minna’s neighbors give in to their fear of the unknown and unfamiliar and try to get rid of the broom by burning it at a stake. However, it is not scary. The story is simply told and fast paced, and I tended to react more to the illustrations than to the story itself.
ART STYLE
I love it and a major reason why is because of the texture of the medium Van Allsburg used. I did some digging and learned these illustrations where created using a litho pencil (which is very dark, apparently) on a coquille board. I think the texture is from the coquille board. When I googled it, the drawings that pop up have a similar texture. It makes me think of very tiny pixilation. I love it.
Apart from the texture, I also love the sepia tone of the illustrations which, I think, softens the images a bit. I also love how detailed and realistic the illustrations are. I think that’s what drew me to the illustration on the cover and made it stand out from the other picture books on the shelf that have more of a cartoonish quality to their cover illustrations.
OVERALL: ★★★★☆
A great read with detailed illustrations that made for a splendid experience with the book. I’d like to read more by the author. He also did Jumanji and the Polar Express.
As posted on Zezee with Books.
October 9, 2010
"Witches' brooms don't last forever. They grow old, & even the best of them, one day, lose the power of flight.... On very rare occasions, however, a broom can lose its power without warning, & fall, with its passenger, to the earth below ... which is just what happened one cold autumn night many years ago." So begins The Widow's Broom, the gentle, captivating book by Chris Van Allsburg. One morning the lonely widow Minna Shaw finds a wounded, sky-fallen witch in her vegetable garden. The witch disappears before dawn, but leaves her old, presumably defunct broom behind. Minna begins to use it around the house. However, one morning, Minna sees the broom sweeping by itself! Opportunistically, she trains it to chop wood and fetch water.
When the neighbors find out about this "wicked, wicked thing" (posing as an innocent, hardworking broom), they accost the widow and demand that the broom be burned. (Goodreads summary)
A hauntingly beautiful tale by Van Allsburg that is both a great read aloud and a thoughtful look at superstition, bullying and resourcefullness. The story effectively shows how
people often seek to destroy what they don't understand out of fear rather than trying to learn more about what they are afraid of. In the process some readers may will look at their own attitudes toward others. The broom's stand against bullying and the widow's resourcefulness in dealing with the angry farmers and her bigoted neighbors is very satisfying.
The masterful sepia toned illustrations draw one into the story through perspective and make you feel on edge with the shadowing and bare trees.
Parents should be aware of the theme of witchcraft in this book that might be too sensitive to some readers who do not approve of witchcraft.
The big format makes this perfect for reading aloud. For K - 3rd, those who love haunting stories and Van Allsburg fans.
When the neighbors find out about this "wicked, wicked thing" (posing as an innocent, hardworking broom), they accost the widow and demand that the broom be burned. (Goodreads summary)
A hauntingly beautiful tale by Van Allsburg that is both a great read aloud and a thoughtful look at superstition, bullying and resourcefullness. The story effectively shows how
people often seek to destroy what they don't understand out of fear rather than trying to learn more about what they are afraid of. In the process some readers may will look at their own attitudes toward others. The broom's stand against bullying and the widow's resourcefulness in dealing with the angry farmers and her bigoted neighbors is very satisfying.
The masterful sepia toned illustrations draw one into the story through perspective and make you feel on edge with the shadowing and bare trees.
Parents should be aware of the theme of witchcraft in this book that might be too sensitive to some readers who do not approve of witchcraft.
The big format makes this perfect for reading aloud. For K - 3rd, those who love haunting stories and Van Allsburg fans.
October 1, 2019
A widow comes into possession of witch's broom.
As happens on rare occasions, a broom suddenly loses its power one night, and both it and its witch crash to earth. After landing in the kitchen garden of a widow's farmhouse, the witch hitches a ride home but leaves the broom behind. The widow begins using it like an ordinary broom before she discovers that it hasn't lost all its magic after all.
At first the widow is frightened, but the broom is a hard worker and eager to help. Soon it soon becomes her friend and helper, doing chores around the farm and keeping the lonely widow company. Of course, nosy neighbors quickly find out about the broom, and the menfolk of this unnamed section of New England declare the broom's domestic skills to be the work of the devil. They attempt to destroy it, but the widow and the broom have the last laugh.
The black and white illustrations, framing the scenes from often unusual angles and perspectives, enrich the story. The broom reminds me of the Mickey Mouse cartoon The Sorcerer's Apprentice but with deadpan realism rather than outright comedy.
As happens on rare occasions, a broom suddenly loses its power one night, and both it and its witch crash to earth. After landing in the kitchen garden of a widow's farmhouse, the witch hitches a ride home but leaves the broom behind. The widow begins using it like an ordinary broom before she discovers that it hasn't lost all its magic after all.
At first the widow is frightened, but the broom is a hard worker and eager to help. Soon it soon becomes her friend and helper, doing chores around the farm and keeping the lonely widow company. Of course, nosy neighbors quickly find out about the broom, and the menfolk of this unnamed section of New England declare the broom's domestic skills to be the work of the devil. They attempt to destroy it, but the widow and the broom have the last laugh.
The black and white illustrations, framing the scenes from often unusual angles and perspectives, enrich the story. The broom reminds me of the Mickey Mouse cartoon The Sorcerer's Apprentice but with deadpan realism rather than outright comedy.
October 27, 2011
This is an outstanding picture book, both in story and illustrations. Part of the fun for me was knowing virtually nothing about it (other than seeing the high ratings from other GoodReads members and friends) so I will not include a synopsis in my review (there are many other fine ones to be found, anyway). Instead, I will say that I was utterly captivated and constantly surprised by the twists and turns in this tale. It is a story of kindness, gratitude, fear and prejudice, acceptance and friendship. Many lessons here, though it never seems preachy or like a "message" book. I couldn't help but think of the Salem Witch Trials as I read certain parts of this story. A few parts may be a bit frightening for young/sensitive readers but overall I highly recommend this engaging and thought-provoking tale.
March 24, 2012
Chris VanAllsburg is pure magic with his illustrations and his edgy stories. In this story, a witch has left her brrom in the garden of a widow, because it can no longer fly. It may not fly, but it is still magic, and soon it becomes the widow's friend and helper. Unfortuantely, the village doesn't like the idea of a broom that is alive, and they decide to destroy it. Luckily, the widow is clever and finds a way to make everything work out as it should. Dark at times, the illustrations are amazing, and the story is one that teaches a good lesson. Probably not for really young kids, even though it is a picture book. My 6 and 8 year old loved it though.
April 25, 2018
I loved this book. Van Allsburg's tale is that of an enchanted broom left behind for a lonely widow. Widow Minna Shaw takes in a witch after she falls from her broom which has lost the ability to fly. The witch leaves the broom behind after she recovers. Minna soon finds that the broom sweeps on it's own--it eventually becomes welcome companion and friend. Things get complicated when Minna's neighbors become suspicious of the broom and ask her to burn it at the stake.
This is a fun and heartwarming book that could be used as a Halloween read aloud or in a hook-lesson for a mystery unit.
This is a fun and heartwarming book that could be used as a Halloween read aloud or in a hook-lesson for a mystery unit.
September 1, 2016
After a witch falls out of the sky one day into Widow Shaw's garden, she leaves behind her old broom. The widow discovers the broom is still full of magic, and capable of great things, but her neighbors think the broom is an evil and should be destroyed.
What is it about Van Allsburg? Where does he get these wild ideas that turn into such beautifully strange books? The illustrations are sumptuous and wonderful as always, and the story is as I said, beautifully strange, with a wonderful smile of an ending.
What is it about Van Allsburg? Where does he get these wild ideas that turn into such beautifully strange books? The illustrations are sumptuous and wonderful as always, and the story is as I said, beautifully strange, with a wonderful smile of an ending.
November 9, 2007
I tend to love Chris Van Allsburg's less famous books like this one.
A quirky twist on a Halloween story, my fifth graders LOVED THIS BOOK. I dressed up as a witch and read it to them, and they had so much fun with the idea of a run-away witches' broom.
I also like the different perspective on witches... they're not all bad after all.
Of course the highlight is really Van Allsburg's illustration, but the story stands up on its own.
A quirky twist on a Halloween story, my fifth graders LOVED THIS BOOK. I dressed up as a witch and read it to them, and they had so much fun with the idea of a run-away witches' broom.
I also like the different perspective on witches... they're not all bad after all.
Of course the highlight is really Van Allsburg's illustration, but the story stands up on its own.
February 8, 2014
I am such a Chris Van Allsburg fan. Half the time when I read one of his books, I think, "This is the best one yet." Well. This one really might be. It's got it all: a compelling story, superb illustrations, excellent details, a surprise ending. Everything.
Classroom Connections
~ This is a perfect book to use as a mentor text. There is no end to the mini-lessons you can use this book for.
~ an excellent Halloween read aloud.
~ add to the pile of seasonal books in October
Classroom Connections
~ This is a perfect book to use as a mentor text. There is no end to the mini-lessons you can use this book for.
~ an excellent Halloween read aloud.
~ add to the pile of seasonal books in October
February 7, 2017
Chris Van Allsburg -- I love everything he writes...I love the stories he draws. I love his clever mind and his way of turning a story upside down.
The Widow Shaw saved a witch whose broom just stopped...the witch leaves to get a better broom, and the Widow learns there's lots of life in that broom...but her neighbors are not happy...and make lots of trouble. The revenge of Widow Shaw and the broom is so satisfying...soo.
The Widow Shaw saved a witch whose broom just stopped...the witch leaves to get a better broom, and the Widow learns there's lots of life in that broom...but her neighbors are not happy...and make lots of trouble. The revenge of Widow Shaw and the broom is so satisfying...soo.
September 22, 2018
A nice kind of “spooky” book for a little older children. A witch falls from the sky and gets injured a widow finds her and brings her in and gives her a place to rest and heal. She leaves her broom for the widow and soon the broom learns to do household chores to help the widow out. But the neighbors think the broom is evil and wants to do away with it. The widow and the broom tag team up and prevails over the neighbors. True friendships
September 9, 2015
Such a sweet story about a widow who helps a witch who leaves behind a magical broom. The broom helps the widower with all her housework and proves to be a true friend. A good story about helping those in need.
November 2, 2013
Not sure this book has a place in my library but plan to try again in a few years. Rich in illustrations and metaphor.
October 6, 2011
Loved this "horror story" for kids. He is so creative and we really like all his books with the cool Twilight Zone twists at the end. Dodoo dodoo dodoo dodoo.... Ahhhhh!
November 11, 2017
Incredible illustrations and a cute story. Love this book...read it several times.
November 9, 2017
Very nice and creative. I thought that the we should have more info about the Witch. I loved the broom it was very admirable. The pictures were also very creative. They were impeccably drawn.
November 28, 2018
Fun. Cool book. Can’t believe I’ve never read it before.
March 18, 2019
When Mena Shaw, a witch finds her broom losing power, she lands in a garden. The broom scares people and comes to life, the people demanding the broom be destroyed.
October 29, 2025
Such a wonderful story for Halloween!
May 1, 2021
This book is a fantastic book to read for kids around the fall and around Halloween. It tells the story of a witches broom that starts losing its power and while flying one night the broom crashes to the ground along with the witch. The story continues from there and tells a tale of what happens to the broom afterwards.
This book is short and wonderfully written with beautiful artwork. It also has a Sorcerer's Apprentice vibe to it if you are a Fantasia fan and will really get you and the kids in the mood for fall fun and Halloween!
This book is short and wonderfully written with beautiful artwork. It also has a Sorcerer's Apprentice vibe to it if you are a Fantasia fan and will really get you and the kids in the mood for fall fun and Halloween!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 451 reviews