My Unwilling Witch Goes to Ballet School

Rumblewick Diary #1

by Hiawyn Oram

Rumblewick is a highly qualified right hand cat to the most unwilling witch in the kingdom. He's contractually bound to shape her into the most well-rounded, disgustingly terrible witch she can be, but unfortunately, Haggy would much rather be a normal little girl than do things like boil frogs and frighten children. Poor Rumblewick! Haggy's antics keep him on his toes, endlessly dodging the wrath of the Hags on High.

Here's the latest problem: Haggy Aggy wants to go to ballet school! She wants ballet shoes, a lovely pink tutu, and to be a star! That certainly isn't what a witch who WANTS to be a witch does, is it? Through humorously illustrated diary entries that are perfect for emerging readers, Rumblewick details life with Haggy, the loveable witch who just can't get with it!

Genres: Childrens, Fantasy, Juvenile, Chapter Books, Fiction

112 pages, Hardcover

First published September 6, 2007

About the author

Hiawyn Oram is a very successful author of children's books in Britain. Her books include the popular Not-So-Grizzly Bear Stories, the Animal Heroes series, and Mona the Vampire. She lives in London.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars for execution but really, I only liked it two-stars worth.

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. I mean, it's a diary written by the familiar (a CAT, no less!) of a nice witch who wants to go to BALLET school. It sounded perfect! Alas, while the premise is great and the format is quite fun and appealing (comic illustrations, quirky fonts, funny little expressions, little spells included here and there, even a little "interview" at the end with the cat and the "publisher's familiar"--AKA assistant!), I just really didn't like the characters very much! I get that Rumblewick is rather a long-suffering creature, feeling that he is failing in his role because his witch is so, well, unwilling to BE a witch. But, the diary is just one long tirade, really. It could have been more amusing, perhaps, if Haggy Aggy was more likable herself. And I think she is supposed to be. The illustrations make her look so cute and sweet and fun. But, gosh, I found her very selfish and rather fickle with her morals. For example, she doesn't want to use any live ingredients in her potions--I thought that was GREAT and even a nod to vegetarianism, perhaps!?--but then she uses two slugs for a hair-straightening potion because, well, just this once... I guess vanity won!? She lies to get into ballet school and later storms out in a huff when she finds out she won't be able to wear a beautiful costume for the performance because the character she is playing (still the star of the show, by the way!) is a pauper. Perhaps she is meant as a cautionary figure, but she is portrayed as so very nice and a "good witch" most of the time, so I think it just comes off as being fickle and she never gets any consequences. Certainly parents/teachers could talk about this with children, but I think there are much better "good witch" books out there for early chapter book readers, such as The Worst Witch.

[Нели · Rating 5 out of 5]

Много добра и забавна книга !

[AlwaysReading74 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ich will auch so einen Kater haben :-D

[Sara Truog · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nina has started reading short chapter books and since she is a ballet fanatic, one of the librarians at work suggested this to us. This is a slight, well-illustrated volume, which makes it sound perfect for her - but the truth is that this series went right over her head (she read a few pages and gave up, saying it was "weird"). This is a diary told from the perspective of a witch's familiar, and there's tons of witch speak and made-up words... fun for older girls who feel like something short, but not the best for emerging readers. I didn't love this one - I felt like the author was trying too hard. Having said that, there are a whole bunch of "My Unwilling Witch" titles so they must be popular...

[lily of the valley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping to like this book. Unfortunately, it was somewhat of a letdown. I enjoyed the wit and humor but on the other hand I can’t seem to love the characters especially Haggy. She’s selfish and fickle with her morals.

[Maťka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spomínam na detstvo, pamätám si, že túto knihu som kedysi naozaj zbožňovala :) Je celkom príjemné pripomenúť tie časy, ale teraz ma už predsa len kniha až tak nefascinuje...

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

uite humorous first entry in series about a reluctant witch and her cat. Some fun to be had with this one, it could be a very good series, time will tell.

[Aria · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf fairly early into it.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny chapter book about a cat, who has to make sure her witch behaves herself (in witchy fashion). The witch wants to be very sparkly and ballerina-like, so it’s a tough job!

[Nouk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Niet ik die al mijn jeugdboeken opnieuw leest

[Ella]

I absolutely loved these books when I was little, and I only remembered they existed the other day!

[Ана Хелс · Rating 5 out of 5]

Дневниците на котарака Мърморан, верен служител на леко ексцентрична с уклон към розовото, панделките и шопинга вещичка , са уникални постижения на графичното изкуство и предпечат, макар и в черно – бяло – между другото поне доколкото разучих, това са истинските цветове на поредицата, не е решение на издателите да преправят едно пълноцветно издание с картинки в стил сиво – бяла разпечатка на офис принтер, както вече явно се случи наскоро на пазара с едно друго издателство, една друга книга, в съвсем друг жанр, за който може и някога да кажа нещо. Или не. Но да се върнем към вещерските истории. Та Хаги Аги е една модерна млада дама, само на неколкостотин години, прокълната с липсата на пъпчив нос или коса като метла, поблазнена от нашия отвъден свят на удобства , телевизори, слава и розови пачки. А Мърморанеца е един класически по-консервативен котарак, дипломиран вещерски асистент, който бере срам между шарените рокли, женските коли и торбите с пазар , които трябва да довлачва между измеренията, вместо да се занимава с разни по-възвишени дейности, като да вари живи жаби за пъклени отвари или да плаши хлапетата от вси страни с достойно страховити физиономии. Въобще сблъсък на интелектуалец и фешънка, поставени в йерархична несправедлива подчиненост. Именно – кой , ако не аз , ще открие социални мотиви и възпитателни методи в детски книжлета нашарени плътно с картинки. Та модната ни жертва се вълнува от балет и гърл-банди, с което изправя на нокти любимото си котенце, поради факта, че се цели напълно истерично и нетърпящо възражения в подобни човешки таргети без да има и най-слабата представа за реалността зад идеята, и все пак в крайна сметка с малко магия и много късмет, Мърморански извлича господарката си извън полесражението между двата свята почти без наранявания и с една добра поука за безмислието на спонтанността.

Поуките не са лесно предаваеми, но се усещат между усмивките, стихчетата, магическите рецепти и странните допълнения като карти, страници от магьоснически книги и вещерски договори , и носят удовлетворението за една наистина добра хрумка за подрастващи, облечена и представена по наистина добър начин. За деца и не точно деца, макар че всички си оставаме същите хлапета , както когато сме тичали заради вятъра в лицата ни или сме крещели с пълно гърло само , за да усетим мощта на собствения си звук. Тайната същност на всеки възрастен е едно малко хлапе овъртолено в изгубено време и пропилени възможности. Като си спомня само как исках да порасна. И как някой ден и децата ми ще се тръшкат в мечти времето им да е отминало и да са получили първите си сериозни бръчки, раносилни в детското съзнание на власт и самостоятелност. Заблуди, които разсейвам понякога с някоя шарена книжка. Като тези за Моята своенравна вещица. Вземете си парченце спомени, докато все още виждате малко по-далеч от носа си.

[Ronda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I had two ratings bars-one for how much I personally enjoyed a book and one for how well I think it will go over for the kids. Personally, I loved this book. It was funny, the story was fun, the illustrations hilarious, and there was lots of word play. In that sense,it reminded me of Roald Dahl. That, in a nutshell is also what I believe will be the problem. The book LOOKS like an early chapter book, which may tempt many of our younger readers and turn off some of our older readers. The problem with the younger (emerging) readers is that there are several made-up words and some u usual sentence structure (it is, after all, a diary written by a cat!), which will make this book really frustrating to some of them. Some of the older readers who would really enjoy this book might pass it by simply because it looks too young. That said, I suspect that some good book talking will solve that issue for the older students, and selling it as a read aloud to the younger students would solve the difficulty issue with the younger ones. Overall, I recommend this book as funny, fun, clever-with the caveat "know your reader".

As a side note, I read this as a ebook edition on the iPad, and found it to be a little frustrating. It was hard to tell if I was skipping pages, or if my iPad was just glitching. I think this one would be better read as a real paper book.

[Bridget R. Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haggy Aggy makes a terrible witch much t the shame of her familiar Rumplewick. She refuses to dress in black, ride on a broomstick, or frighten children. Instead, she prefers to wear pink, drive her (pink) car, and take up normal girl hobbies like shopping and ballet. The problem is this: if Haggy Aggy doesn't act like a witch Rumplewick will find himself boiled in oil and back in the lowest grade at familiar school. Can Rumplewick convince Haggy Aggy to act like a witch and save his skin?

What I thought: A hilarious, quick read muck like Kinney's diary of a Wimpy Kid books or Bruel's Bad Kitty chapter books. Rumplewick as narrator is very fitting. Who better to describe a witch than her familiar? Perhaps you recall Salem's popularity on the TV show and cartoon series Sabrina? Rumplewick's distress at Haggy Aggy's un-witch-like behavior is sincere and thus all the more funny. The illustrations are great. They add to the story (like when Rumplewick imagines himself ballet dancing , we see him complete with tutu).

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the first of the new series Rumblewick’s Diary. Rumblewick is a cat, and he is the familiar assigned to young witch Hagatha Agatha, Haggie Aggie for short, HA for shortest, for the next 7 years. Rumblewick’s job is to help his witch succeed in all things witch-like, and to follow his witch’s every command. For Rumblewick, these two things are in conflict, because Haggie Aggie has no desire to be a witch, and instead is fascinated with the Otherside, that being our world. Haggie Aggie’s newest discovery is ballet, and she charm-and-spells her way into an Otherside ballet school. The High Hags, though, have seen her in less than all black and are threatening Rumblewick if she doesn’t shape up. There are lots of drawings, so it’s a great early chapter book. It’s a cute idea, the diary written by a cat who struggles to make his witch, well, witchy, but it was over-conceptualized for me. It was okay, but I won’t be reading the rest of the series.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Kira M for TeensReadToo.com

Haggy Aggy is horrible at being a witch. She would rather be around humans, much to the chagrin of her familiar, Rumblewick.

Using her magical abilities to be better at ballet and gymnastics, her use of magic keeps getting her noticed by the High Hags and the witch society. The problem is, these witches expect Rumblewick to teach Haggy Aggy how to be the most well-rounded, disgustingly terrible witch she can be.

Will Rumblewick be able to keep Haggy's human obsession a secret?

A cute, quick tale for reluctant readers. The characters are likable and fun to read about in this book and the others that follow in the series, even the High Hags and the witch society. Those who like fantasy, witches, and realistic fiction will enjoy reading MY UNWILLING WITCH GOES TO BALLET SCHOOL.

[Lavinia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rumblewick's witch, Haggy Aggy (HA for short), is not like any kind of witch that you would expect. For instance, like now, she's starting to go to ballet school. She would love to get a place in Swan Lake. But on the telephone, she really wants a place, so she pretends that she's a poor girl. She rubs mud on her face and comes in tattered clothes. Unfortunately, the people owning the ballet didn't put her in Swan Lake, but The Little Matchstick Girl instead. HA gets in a rage for the dress that she gets put in. The High Hags, the headquarters, think that going to ballet school is not suitable for a witch. If Rumblewick tells the High Hags that actually HA really loves ballet, he will be dangled over a cauldren and will be put back in witches' cats primary school! Can Rumblewick convince them that actually Haggy Aggy is trying to scare children in the ballet school?

[Heather Crozier · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Unwilling Witch Goes to Ballet School is the first book in a series starring Witch Hagatha Agatha (Haggie Aggie for short, HA for shortest), narrated by her familiar Rumblewick. Written in diary form, Rumblewick relates his woes in being a familiar for a witch who delights in non-witchy behavior, such as wearing pink and not using live ingredients for her potions. In this particular installment, Haggie Aggie has decided to enroll herself in ballet school on the “Otherside,” where the non-magical people live. The humor, illustrations and diary format are sure to appeal to young elementary readers. Includes glossary of unfamiliar ballet and other terms, as well as the Witches’ Charter of Good Practice.

[Libriar · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first book in a series that will be perfect for 2nd and 3rd grade girls. The book is told as the diary of a cat who is a Familiar to a witch who doesn't like to do witch-type things. In this book the witch decides she wants to be a ballerina and goes to ballet school. The other witches are very upset that she is not acting like a proper witch and promise to catch her...so her cat must find a way to get her to start acting properly. Filled with light humor and made-up words, this is a witch girls will love.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another new series for young chapter book readers. Done in diary form by the cat, Rumblewick, who is assigned to take care of the young witch, Hagatha Agatha (HA for short.) HA is a very ornery young witch and will not do what young witches are supposed to do...quite the opposite, in fact! Since Rumblewick is responsible for HA, he is always getting in trouble from the High Hags. Thus, the series, I predict, will go on for a number of books. Funny illustrations add to the fun.

[Kristy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hagatha Agatha AKA Haggy Aggey AKA HA, is the worst witch. She doesn't wear black, she loves pink and when she discovers ballet, her cat thinks she's really lost it. Now, she's being watched by the High Hags, the highest local level of witches to see if she's towing the line. Ehn, this wasn't the best. The beginning was a little chaotic, but I liked the way that it wrapped up.

[Joenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rumblewick, a Highly Qualified Witch's Cat, records in his diary all the problems he has when his reluctant young witch decides she would rather go to ballet school on the Other Side than engage in proper witch behavior.

Book one of Rumblewick's Diary series. Could be a fun series to recommend for girl reluctant readers.

[Trinity 11-12 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor poor Hagatha's cat,he might hanged over a fire until he turns completely crisp. Hagatha dancing the Poor Match Girl Ballet reminds me of dong the Nutcracker. Her unwillingness to be a witch is why I like this book.

[Kelley.R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book when I was a little. This is hilarious! I always read diaries about witches but never have I read a diary of a witches cat. If you want kid approved comedy I suggest this book for you

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very interesting book about a cat's diary.

[Tanairis · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved this book i wish there were more books like this.

[Grisselle · Rating 3 out of 5]

i like this book is really funny to read caues is about a witch that those not want to be a witch.......

[-savey-;♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is the book i was talking bout were it has too sides and that i want to read both of them

[Kate Hastings]

RL 880

[Jos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolut niedlich!