The Witch of Blackberry Bottom

by Dick King-Smith, Ann Kronheimer (Illustrator)

Miss Slade is a recluse who lives in an old caravan in Blackberry Bottom. When newcomers move into the nearest house, she gradually starts to rejoin the village community. But what no one knows is that Miss Slade keeps all her money buried in a milk churn. Is it safe?

Genres: Childrens, Middle Grade

128 pages, Paperback

First published June 24, 1999

About the author

Dick King-Smith was born and raised in Gloucestershire, England, surrounded by pet animals. After twenty years as a farmer, he turned to teaching and then to writing children's books.

Dick writes mostly about animals: farmyard fantasy, as he likes to call it, often about pigs, his special favorites. He enjoys writing for children, meeting the children who read his books, and knowing that they get enjoyment from what he does.

Among his well-loved books is Babe, The Gallant Pig, which was recently made into a major motion picture, and was nominated for an Academy Award.

Dick lived with his wife in a small 17th-century cottage, about three miles from the house where he was born.

Reviews

[Monelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Charming and all, but a little anticlimactic. What's with the title?? But the kids enjoyed it on a long road trip, so I'm all for it.

[Jayanthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first of the books by Dick King-Smith. I was lucky to get a good collection from the hubby's office library.

When I started reading it, I felt like a middle school girl. It took me to the time where I'd sit in a corner in the school library and prod a Enid Blyton book.

I loved this simple tale about Miss Slade who was longing for company while the whole village looked at her like a witch.

Adults warn their kids and anyone's kids who want to go to Blackberry Bottom, the place where Miss Slade stays. She loves to talk with her pets - dogs and cats.

Miss Slade has always loved to run a farm. She has a small history of her own and that's a nice tale for me.

What she wishes generally happens! So, she wishes for one or two children to visit her now and then. She gets someone dropping by the next day itself.

She was surprised to see Patsy and Jim and knew they were not scared like the other kids. They get along well and find Miss Slade to be a kind and endearing woman.

More in the book. A simple tale of loneliness and longing followed by love and company.

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very different to the usual Dick King-Smiths! More similar tone to the Sophie's Snail books, but still quite different. 6 y/o me would have loved it, I think.

[KP · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really nice, happy story.

[Kumasama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edit: upgraded to 4 stars, really pleasing read.

Good fun, got from it what I was looking for which is a short and warm children story.

[Kirsti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dick King-Smith is best known for his book 'The Sheep-Pig', the book that inspired the movie 'Babe'. I have however, always collected his other books as well. He writes delightful children's stories, full of fascinating characters and situations. This one didn't go as I expected; I thought the whole village would come around to Miss Slade, but little mention is made of them after a while. It also makes me kind of sad, thinking of the old people like Miss Slade who don't have a milk jug filled with money and treasure to 'better' themselves. Still, a cute little story despite this this, three stars!

[D.peabody · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 7 year old daughter and I listened to the audio version of this book read by June Whitfield. After a slow start we both really enjoyed this lovely story. It is about a lonely older lady who is a recluse and seen as a witch by her local village. She makes a connection with a new family who move into the area and through their kindness to her she changes her lifestyle and we discover that although she is not a witch she does have a secret identity. Really nice.

[Suzie Bookgirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 7 year old daughter and I listened to the audio version of this book read by June Whitfield. After a slow start we both really enjoyed this lovely story. It is about a lonely older lady who is a recluse and seen as a witch by her local village. She makes a connection with a new family who move into the area and through their kindness to her she changes her lifestyle and we discover that although she is not a witch she does have a secret identity. Really nice.

[Sammy]

An amusing read for children.

[Katy W · Rating 3 out of 5]

This came in a box set with a few other Dick King Smith stories for 7-10 year olds.

[Dusan Trickovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

One word - Amazing.