What do you think?
Rate this book
Bedknobs and Broomsticks #1
The Magic Bedknob
An engrossing fantasy about an elderly woman who practices magic for a hobby and three London children evacuated to the country during the bombing of London.
This story was later republished, together with Bonfires and Broomsticks, as Bedknobs and Broomsticks.
This story was later republished, together with Bonfires and Broomsticks, as Bedknobs and Broomsticks.
112 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1943
4 people are currently reading
1743 people want to read
About the author
Mary Norton
74 books833 followersMary Norton (née Pearson) was an English children's author. She was the daughter of a physician, and was raised in a Georgian house at the end of the High Street in Leighton Buzzard. The house now consists of part of Leighton Middle School, known within the school as The Old House, and was reportedly the setting of her novel The Borrowers. She married Robert C. Norton in 1927 and had four children, 2 boys and 2 girls. Her second husband was Lionel Boncey, who she married in 1970. She began working for the War Office in 1940 before the family moved temporarily to the United States.
She began writing while working for the British Purchasing Commission in New York during the Second World War. Her first book was The Magic Bed Knob; or, How to Become a Witch in Ten Easy Lessons published in 1943, which, together with the sequel Bonfires and Broomsticks, became the basis for the Disney film Bedknobs and Broomsticks.
Mary Norton died of a stroke in Devon, England in 1992.
She began writing while working for the British Purchasing Commission in New York during the Second World War. Her first book was The Magic Bed Knob; or, How to Become a Witch in Ten Easy Lessons published in 1943, which, together with the sequel Bonfires and Broomsticks, became the basis for the Disney film Bedknobs and Broomsticks.
Mary Norton died of a stroke in Devon, England in 1992.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
July 9, 2019
Final review, first posted on www.FantasyLiterature.com:
I was a child when I first saw Disney’s 1971 movie Bedknobs and Broomsticks and have fond memories of it. So when I found out that the book that inspired the movie, Mary Norton’s The Magic Bed-Knob, was nominated this year for a 1944 Retro Hugo award, I was excited to read it. It’s charming and old-fashioned … but not everything I had hoped for. Also, it’s not much like the Disney movie, which is both a positive and a negative thing.
During the London Blitz, three siblings ― Carey (“about your age”), Charles (“a little younger”) and Paul (“only six”) ― are sent to Bedfordshire to stay with their Aunt Beatrice. (Tangentially, it’s worth noting that in recent editions of The Magic Bed-Knob, all references to the war have been redacted, perhaps in an effort to make the story less tied to a particular era.) One day the children find their very proper neighbor, Miss Price, has fallen and hurt her ankle. As they help her back to her house, Paul lets slip that he’s been watching Miss Price practice flying on her broom at night, and that falling off her broomstick ― not her bike ― is why she’s now injured. She’s a newbie witch, it turns out, and is learning her craft through a correspondence course.
Miss Price is appalled that her secret’s been found out by the children, and is almost ready to cast a spell that will silence them permanently (perhaps by changing them into frogs, which she temporarily does to Paul). But the children manage to convince her to bribe them into keeping her secret instead. So Miss Price casts a spell on a bed-knob that Paul is conveniently carrying in his pocket. If they twist the knob when it’s attached to the bed and make a wish, the bed will (almost) instantly fly to where they wish. Or, as it turns out, where Paul wishes, since it’s his bed and bed-knob. Paul’s older siblings are a bit appalled, but Paul himself is ecstatic.
The Magic Bed-Knob is rather dated, as might be expected from a children’s fantasy published in 1943, but still retains much of its old-fashioned charm. The interactions between the three children are realistic, particularly with Carey and Charles treating Paul rather dismissively because he’s several years younger. Paul is resentful of this treatment, which makes the fact that he’s the only one who can work the bed-knob magic so much sweeter to him. Miss Price, interestingly, is shown to have some struggles with the kind side of her nature vs. the wicked streak that the study of witchcraft apparently brings out in her.
I’ll admit to some disappointment that the talking animals and the uproarious soccer game on the magical island of Naboombu in the Disney movie wasn’t in the original book; instead we have a rather mundane, boring trip to their closed-up home in London and a less boring but somewhat wince-inducing run-in with stereotypical cannibals on the island of Ueepe. How Carey immediately identifies the natives as cannibals after a single glanced is never explained, but the correctness of that assumption never comes into question. The Star of Astaroth never makes an appearance, but we do get an extended run-in with the London police.
The Magic Bed-Knob has limited creativity and lacks much of the excitement of modern children’s fantasy, but there’s a sweetness at its heart.
“Keep your warm hearts, your gentleness, and your courage. These will do,” said Miss Price, sniffing audibly, “just as well as magic.”Recommended for fans of old-fashioned children’s fantasy.
.
June 13, 2019
If you are going to read this book, I implore you to track down a copy of the original, unrevised text. You'll know you have it if the opening line reads, "Once upon a time, in England, during the war, there were three children and their names were Carey, Charles and Paul."
In the 1950s, for whatever reason, the publisher chose to revise the text to remove every mention of World War II, from the opening line on down. All major editions printed since then use that revised text--which is, in my opinion, unfortunate, because the War is both an excuse for a lot of the book's better jokes (for example, "I'm out of newts' eyes! They're almost impossible to get nowadays. But we mustn't grumble. It's war-time."; in the revised text the final two words are absent, which kills the punchline) and a motivation for many of the character's actions (for example, Paul doesn't tell anyone about Miss Price's broomstick flying because he's afraid it will get her in trouble with the Home Guard as a possible German spy).
Even if you are stuck with the revised text, this is in most respects a charming story full of jokes for adults as well as children (like Miss Price hastily hiding her trashy novel from Paul). The exception to that is the South Sea Island Black Cannibals Incident, about which the nicest possible thing one can say is that it was a product of its time (the blunter thing one can say is, of course, that it's racist as hell, particularly in how it describes the bodies of the Black characters). This is one of the reasons I prefer the book with its original wartime references left in; they highlight the way it is a product of its time, whereas the anodyne revised text attempts to make the book "timeless" and in doing so only highlights how things that might have seemed timeless in the 50s really don't today.
In the 1950s, for whatever reason, the publisher chose to revise the text to remove every mention of World War II, from the opening line on down. All major editions printed since then use that revised text--which is, in my opinion, unfortunate, because the War is both an excuse for a lot of the book's better jokes (for example, "I'm out of newts' eyes! They're almost impossible to get nowadays. But we mustn't grumble. It's war-time."; in the revised text the final two words are absent, which kills the punchline) and a motivation for many of the character's actions (for example, Paul doesn't tell anyone about Miss Price's broomstick flying because he's afraid it will get her in trouble with the Home Guard as a possible German spy).
Even if you are stuck with the revised text, this is in most respects a charming story full of jokes for adults as well as children (like Miss Price hastily hiding her trashy novel from Paul). The exception to that is the South Sea Island Black Cannibals Incident, about which the nicest possible thing one can say is that it was a product of its time (the blunter thing one can say is, of course, that it's racist as hell, particularly in how it describes the bodies of the Black characters). This is one of the reasons I prefer the book with its original wartime references left in; they highlight the way it is a product of its time, whereas the anodyne revised text attempts to make the book "timeless" and in doing so only highlights how things that might have seemed timeless in the 50s really don't today.
Read
October 23, 2025Una història tendra i entranyable, plena de màgia i jocs de paraules amb la paraula "llit" (quan ho llegiu, ho entendreu!). Curteta i ideal per llegir en veu alta!
October 8, 2022
Read this as a child, a million years ago.
October 31, 2022
I just watched the movie for the first time and thought I’d read the book. This is definitely a case where I prefer the film version. (Although that probably won’t prevent me from reading the sequel.)
February 10, 2025
Illogical behaviour and plot choices are not excused by their writing year. I enjoyed these stories more than star grades suggest. I loved the characters and whole idea. Carey and Charles are wonderfully candid. Paul is sweetly emotional in fun or gloom, as a little boy should be. We are told he is 6 years-old but only that Carey is eldest. Charles sounds like he is 10. Carey must be age 12 at least.
Eglantine Price is refreshingly well rounded: never rigid but assuredly in control, mysterious but approachable and endearingly uncertain at times. She listens to the children’s feelings and ideas and withholds no secrets, which is how these compelling two stories arose! Oh, would that I could give “The Magic Bedknob” higher than a dim two stars!
My paperback “Bedknob And Broomstick”, combined the novels in 1957. It is fairest to review each, by including this 1943 cover. Mary Norton had four kids. Details that raised my eyebrows mean she dismissed age specificity. You do not dress a 6 year-old. Preteen Siblings would not swim nude together. In the sequel, Paul was 8. How disturbing, that Carey supposedly bathed him!
Now to brass tacks: magic and instant travel. In the year 2025, this is not my first rodeo. Obviously these characters had to test it. I don’t think anyone would thoughtlessly travel in pyjamas. Once the bed landed on the street, wish it into the backyard! Who dumbly lets themselves be arrested: beside a magic knob? Shrieking instead of hiding after spotting tribesmen, was equal nonsense. What kids from any era, have trouble making-up stories to prevent unwanted situations? Heavy-handed “gentle” use grated on misophonia.
Finally, magic and instant travel are exciting by themselves. Authors ought to let characters savour, without emergencies, a peaceful day at a beach!
Eglantine Price is refreshingly well rounded: never rigid but assuredly in control, mysterious but approachable and endearingly uncertain at times. She listens to the children’s feelings and ideas and withholds no secrets, which is how these compelling two stories arose! Oh, would that I could give “The Magic Bedknob” higher than a dim two stars!
My paperback “Bedknob And Broomstick”, combined the novels in 1957. It is fairest to review each, by including this 1943 cover. Mary Norton had four kids. Details that raised my eyebrows mean she dismissed age specificity. You do not dress a 6 year-old. Preteen Siblings would not swim nude together. In the sequel, Paul was 8. How disturbing, that Carey supposedly bathed him!
Now to brass tacks: magic and instant travel. In the year 2025, this is not my first rodeo. Obviously these characters had to test it. I don’t think anyone would thoughtlessly travel in pyjamas. Once the bed landed on the street, wish it into the backyard! Who dumbly lets themselves be arrested: beside a magic knob? Shrieking instead of hiding after spotting tribesmen, was equal nonsense. What kids from any era, have trouble making-up stories to prevent unwanted situations? Heavy-handed “gentle” use grated on misophonia.
Finally, magic and instant travel are exciting by themselves. Authors ought to let characters savour, without emergencies, a peaceful day at a beach!
December 11, 2015
Linda und ihre beiden Brüder Charles und Paul verbringen ihre Ferien bei der strengen Tante im dörflichen Fritterfield. Eines Tages kommen sie hinter das Geheimnis der Nachbarin Fräulein Price. Sie ist eine Hexe! Um die Kinder daran zu hindern über ihre magischen Fähigkeiten zu reden, verzaubert sie ihnen den Messingknopf von Pauls Bett. Nun können die Kinder mit dem Bett reisen, wo immer sie hin möchten. Ein großartiges Abenteuer beginnt.
Nachdem ich zuerst ‚Die Borger‘ von der Autorin entdeckt hatte, war ich sehr gespannt auf diueses Hexenbuch. Das Buch wurde 1971 von Disney verfilmt, allerdings wurde von der Geschichte nur die Grundidee genutzt. Die Kinder können nicht nur an jeden beliebigen Ort der Welt reisen, sie können auch die Vergangenheit besuchen. Das Buch hat den ländlichen Charme eines Englands der 30er / 40er Jahre. Die Geschwister sind sehr sympathisch und auch Fräulein Price hat das Herz am rechten Fleck.
Kleine Abenteurer werden an dem Buch viel Spaß haben.
Nachdem ich zuerst ‚Die Borger‘ von der Autorin entdeckt hatte, war ich sehr gespannt auf diueses Hexenbuch. Das Buch wurde 1971 von Disney verfilmt, allerdings wurde von der Geschichte nur die Grundidee genutzt. Die Kinder können nicht nur an jeden beliebigen Ort der Welt reisen, sie können auch die Vergangenheit besuchen. Das Buch hat den ländlichen Charme eines Englands der 30er / 40er Jahre. Die Geschwister sind sehr sympathisch und auch Fräulein Price hat das Herz am rechten Fleck.
Kleine Abenteurer werden an dem Buch viel Spaß haben.
November 7, 2020
عندما ترسل العائلة : كاري وتشارلز وبول ليقضوا اجازتهم الصيفية عند خالتهم في الريف ، فأن اخر شيء يتوقعونه هو ان تكون الجارة مسس برايس ساحرة متمرنة!!
ومن اجل ان تضمن مسس برايس سكوتهم فانها تسحر لهم مفصل السرير !!!لا أدري ان كانت هذه هي الترجمة الأفضل للكرية التي تزين قوائم السرير
على اية حال فإن غدارة الكرة باتجاه معين تمكنهم الانتقال بالسرير إلى المكان الذي يريدونهم و ان اداراوها باتجاه معاكس فانهم ينتقلون بالزمن إلى الوراء أيضا
لكن ماذا لو كان المتحكم بهذه الكرة بول أصغرهم ذو الست سنوات
القصة مكتوبة بحرفية وتضمن هدفا وتحوي تشويقا جذابة للكبار و للصغار
لا أعتقد انها ترجمت للعربية رغم أنها تعد من كلاسيكيات ادب الطفل والعائلة
ومن اجل ان تضمن مسس برايس سكوتهم فانها تسحر لهم مفصل السرير !!!لا أدري ان كانت هذه هي الترجمة الأفضل للكرية التي تزين قوائم السرير
على اية حال فإن غدارة الكرة باتجاه معين تمكنهم الانتقال بالسرير إلى المكان الذي يريدونهم و ان اداراوها باتجاه معاكس فانهم ينتقلون بالزمن إلى الوراء أيضا
لكن ماذا لو كان المتحكم بهذه الكرة بول أصغرهم ذو الست سنوات
القصة مكتوبة بحرفية وتضمن هدفا وتحوي تشويقا جذابة للكبار و للصغار
لا أعتقد انها ترجمت للعربية رغم أنها تعد من كلاسيكيات ادب الطفل والعائلة
Read
November 9, 2025m'encantaria encarcoxfar-me i que qualcú me'l llegís en veu alta. un llibre infantil molt entretingut, tot i que un tros concret ha envellit un poc malament (illa deserta, indígenes... you know)
November 13, 2015
I never knew the writer of The Borrowers also wrote the book(s) that became Bedknobs and Broomsticks!! Had to try it. Seemed like I missed loads of classics when I was a child. No matter, I know now...
This, along with Bonfires and Broomsticks, make up the two stories about Miss Price, three children, and a magic bed - and their adventures. The three children, Carey, Charles and Paul, are staying with an aunt in the country, and one day spy a neighbour, Miss Price, crashing her broomstick in the garden. Paul has known for a while that she's been secretly practising her flying, and the three soon get her to admit that she is, in fact, a witch. And to buy their silence, should give them something magical. Yes, bribery - tut tut children.
But of course, it wouldn't be much of a story if she didn't agree. Paul has his bedknob in his pocket, and soon, his bed, takes them off on some magical adventures...
At less than 100 pages, this feels almost like a taster for another chapter in the story. I wanted more from it, though it's a great length for a 7-9 year old reader, or for even younger children to have read to them, with short chapters and lots happening.
Different to the film (where Miss Price accepts the three as evacuees), the essence is the same - she's a trainee (or novice), and adventures don't always go to plan. The children are fairly well characterised, the magical story the star of the show, of course. The references to a London of times past (dense fog, stereotypical policemen) will be good for a history discussion, though there isn't too much in here to make this feel too quaint or old-fashioned.
Wonderful wish fulfilment tale, you can see Norton's imagination here again. Will try and find the second book as well now. I'll be reading this to my son (4) in a year or two I expect. And finding the film again!
This, along with Bonfires and Broomsticks, make up the two stories about Miss Price, three children, and a magic bed - and their adventures. The three children, Carey, Charles and Paul, are staying with an aunt in the country, and one day spy a neighbour, Miss Price, crashing her broomstick in the garden. Paul has known for a while that she's been secretly practising her flying, and the three soon get her to admit that she is, in fact, a witch. And to buy their silence, should give them something magical. Yes, bribery - tut tut children.
But of course, it wouldn't be much of a story if she didn't agree. Paul has his bedknob in his pocket, and soon, his bed, takes them off on some magical adventures...
At less than 100 pages, this feels almost like a taster for another chapter in the story. I wanted more from it, though it's a great length for a 7-9 year old reader, or for even younger children to have read to them, with short chapters and lots happening.
Different to the film (where Miss Price accepts the three as evacuees), the essence is the same - she's a trainee (or novice), and adventures don't always go to plan. The children are fairly well characterised, the magical story the star of the show, of course. The references to a London of times past (dense fog, stereotypical policemen) will be good for a history discussion, though there isn't too much in here to make this feel too quaint or old-fashioned.
Wonderful wish fulfilment tale, you can see Norton's imagination here again. Will try and find the second book as well now. I'll be reading this to my son (4) in a year or two I expect. And finding the film again!
December 26, 2020
This is the book that inspired my absolute favorite children's movie, so part of me loved this book for the nostalgia and the obvious parallels to the Disney classic. However, as someone who has started the work of deconstructing the influence of white supremacy in my life, this book definitely disappointed. I am grateful that the racist elements of this book were NOT present in the Disney adaptation, which I will continue to adore until the end of time.
April 30, 2022
Was this anyone else’s childhood film favorite, and you had no idea there was a book? Yeah me too.
January 8, 2026
Res a veure amb la pel·lícula. He trobat a faltar Portabello Road i tribuna, mekodies, pregoroum, satis die, però la Minerva s'ha deixat guanyar pels caníbals.
February 12, 2019
Very interesting. In hunting for books that Disney had turned into movies, I was pleasantly surprised to find Mary Norton inspired one.
August 20, 2017
I read this many years back but I still remember the details somewhat. The bed knob's magical powers would always make me envious of the children privy to it. The thought of being able to transport myself anywhere and at any time was tantalising.
The author did an incredible job of portraying the children's emotions on a variety of subjects from their (probably) deceased mother to witchcraft. While the cover yelled "fun", the pages gave a more mature picture.
The book, though not very famous, was very well written. So much so, that I would look at the knobs on my own bed and go on imaginary adventures in faraway islands. It gave me hope and positivity during my early teenage years in a strange way that I am unable to explain. It also taught me how a childish looking cover can hide valuable lessons and teach one of life's greatest skills -- imagination.
The author did an incredible job of portraying the children's emotions on a variety of subjects from their (probably) deceased mother to witchcraft. While the cover yelled "fun", the pages gave a more mature picture.
The book, though not very famous, was very well written. So much so, that I would look at the knobs on my own bed and go on imaginary adventures in faraway islands. It gave me hope and positivity during my early teenage years in a strange way that I am unable to explain. It also taught me how a childish looking cover can hide valuable lessons and teach one of life's greatest skills -- imagination.
April 12, 2019
This is a perfectly charming story about three children who use a magical bed-knob to travel to far off places. The first place they visit is their own home in London (they had been staying with an aunt in the country). They are captured by the police and kept in detention, but manage to make their escape via bed. This is a somewhat humorous escapade. Next, they travel to a supposedly deserted south seas island, but find themselves captured by native cannibals. This episode has not aged well at all. The natives are portrayed in fairly racist terms; they are certainly stereotypical primitives. I can understand that this novella, and the series in general, has a warm spot in the hearts of many, especially who enjoyed the Disney movie that was made from it. It has a similar feel to it that the Harry Potter books have: children having grand adventures via magic.
October 29, 2019
After much anticipation, reading The Magic Bedknob was a bit of a letdown. While okay as far as children's fare goes, Disney's film adaption, Bedknobs & Broomsticks, represents one of those rare occasions where the movie improves upon the source material.
The story-line is drastically different from the film. Had I known that going in, I think I might've been more open-minded & less disappointed. However, there's no getting around the fact that Miss Price's character is less compellingly written in the original book than in the film.
In the book, the children are not orphans. When they encounter Miss Price, they're on a short stay with an aunt. Carrie & Charles ("Charlie" in the film) have switched roles. In the book, Carrie is the elder, skeptical, sometimes obstinate one, and Charles her foil. Professor Emelius Browne is noticeably absent. Furthermore, there is no trip to the Isle of Naboombu. Where Miss Price & the children travel to instead is less diverting (as well as a tad culturally insensitive for today's audience).
All in all, with fewer expectations going in, The Magic Bedknob is still a fun, quick read. Having just started the sequel, Bonfires and Broomsticks, Norton seems to have found her stride the second go-round.
The story-line is drastically different from the film. Had I known that going in, I think I might've been more open-minded & less disappointed. However, there's no getting around the fact that Miss Price's character is less compellingly written in the original book than in the film.
In the book, the children are not orphans. When they encounter Miss Price, they're on a short stay with an aunt. Carrie & Charles ("Charlie" in the film) have switched roles. In the book, Carrie is the elder, skeptical, sometimes obstinate one, and Charles her foil. Professor Emelius Browne is noticeably absent. Furthermore, there is no trip to the Isle of Naboombu. Where Miss Price & the children travel to instead is less diverting (as well as a tad culturally insensitive for today's audience).
All in all, with fewer expectations going in, The Magic Bedknob is still a fun, quick read. Having just started the sequel, Bonfires and Broomsticks, Norton seems to have found her stride the second go-round.
November 5, 2025
This novel reminded me of The Phoenix and the Carpet and, having given it some careful thought, I decided that it is an excellent idea to base a children's book on some form of travelling. After all, characters in children's books are not primarily based on their psyche and, in my view at least, endless fighting and adventures are relatively tedious. Some element of travel enables the author to introduce quirky events such as landing your flying bed on an island inhabited solely by cannibals. This is an entertaining story (even if Peter Hunt considers it a farce) and I am looking forward to the sequel!
July 22, 2025
When the three Wilson children, visiting their aunt from London, find Miss Price with a damaged ankle from falling from her broomstick, they convince her to buy their silence with a magic spell that will only work if they don't tell anyone about her witchcrafty habits. With an enchanted bedknob, they can travel to London or a South Sea island with no one the wiser. But not without consequences.
This charming story is the foundation for the Disney film Bedknobs and Broomsticks. A quick read for an adult, and I enjoyed it immensely.
This charming story is the foundation for the Disney film Bedknobs and Broomsticks. A quick read for an adult, and I enjoyed it immensely.
November 24, 2021
This novella was nominated in 2019 for a 1944 retro Hugo award. It's the first part of the novel length Bedknobs and Broomstick (the book that inspired the children's movie, starring a younger Angela Lansbury). It's definitely a children's story. I'm positive I would have enjoyed it even more if I was ten. I do note that, if this story was happening nowadays, poor Miss Price would be charged with three counts of child endangerment.
March 1, 2025
When they learn their Aunt's neighbour, Ms. Price, is a witch in training, Carey and her brothers trade their secrecy for a bed-knob that can take them anywhere in the world - but can they travel across the world safely and still keep their new friend's magic a secret? Norton and Lewis bring young readers a decently adventurous tale, its pretty illustrations and enjoyable cast making for an easy to revisit family read. Where will Carey, Charles and Paul be whisked off to?
April 2, 2025
Miss Price has a great personality and treats the children in a down to earth and respectful manner. The 3 children are lovely with full personalities and where it’s thoroughly enjoyable to be with them. The problems of the story are that certain things are nonsense- if the bed lands on the street, just immediately wish move it somewhere else but more troubling was that of course the only foreigners and black people are cannibals. This was a huge turn off. Otherwise cute story.
September 16, 2025
This book was a sweet, short children's book but it lacked some of the magic the disney adaptation had led me to expect, it also didnt have Mr Brown which was a disappointment. I'm iterested to see what the next book gives us.
July 16, 2019
Very interesting. In hunting for books that Disney had turned into movies, I was pleasantly surprised to find Mary Norton inspired one.
January 3, 2021
3.5/5.
May 24, 2021
Practically nameless British children go on an adventure. With a witch. Hijinks ensue, cannibals avoided, and finally the moral of “don’t cheat” comes to fruition.
November 1, 2021
This is the story that the film Bedknobs & Broomsticks is based on. It's entertaining but rather problematic (like most children's classics).
November 15, 2021
A fun, little antiquated read. The seeds of charm seized in the Bedknobs and Broomstick film are here
May 25, 2023
To come
Read
March 22, 2024🗣️read aloud to kids
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews