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The Witch on the Corner
When she overhears someone call her a witch, Miss Pinchon thinks she must be one, tries flying and casting spells, and decides that she is a flower witch.
- GenresFiction
89 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1966
1 person is currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Felice Holman
40 books7 followersFelice Holman was born October 24, 1919, in New York City. She graduated from Syracuse University in 1941 and later worked as an advertising copywriter. She married Herbert Valen in 1941 and some of the experiences of their daughter, Nanine Elisabeth Valen, would serve as the model for her first book, Elisabeth, The Bird Watcher, which was published in 1963.
During the 1960s, she published two more "Elisabeth" stories and wrote some humorous books for children. In 1970, she published her first book of poetry for children: At the Top of My Voice. Critics praised the poems for their "originality, humor, and point." She continued to write humorous stories for young readers, including The Escape of the Giant Hogstalk (1974) that critics called filled "with giggles interspersed with horse laughs all the way."
In the 1970s, she also began writing realistic fiction for young adults. Her book Slake's Limbo (1974), the story of a boy who lives in a cave below Grand Central Station, was lauded for its "authenticity of detail" and as "remarkably taut" and "convincing." In 1975, she co-wrote The Drac: French Tales of Dragons and Demons, a collection of French legends with her daughter, Nanine Valen.
Throughout her long and prolific career, Felice Holman has received several honors, including a Lewis Carroll Shelf Award for young adult's literature and an American Library Association notable book citation for Slake's Limbo in 1978. Felice lives in California.
During the 1960s, she published two more "Elisabeth" stories and wrote some humorous books for children. In 1970, she published her first book of poetry for children: At the Top of My Voice. Critics praised the poems for their "originality, humor, and point." She continued to write humorous stories for young readers, including The Escape of the Giant Hogstalk (1974) that critics called filled "with giggles interspersed with horse laughs all the way."
In the 1970s, she also began writing realistic fiction for young adults. Her book Slake's Limbo (1974), the story of a boy who lives in a cave below Grand Central Station, was lauded for its "authenticity of detail" and as "remarkably taut" and "convincing." In 1975, she co-wrote The Drac: French Tales of Dragons and Demons, a collection of French legends with her daughter, Nanine Valen.
Throughout her long and prolific career, Felice Holman has received several honors, including a Lewis Carroll Shelf Award for young adult's literature and an American Library Association notable book citation for Slake's Limbo in 1978. Felice lives in California.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 25, 2020
I just found this old, 1966 hardcover, far back in a used bookstore. It has no dust jacket, so it is a delight to see the title picture. Even being a children’s book, “The Witch On The Corner” struck me as unique and instantly drew me. It is a worthwhile find.
Many stories commonly deem someone in a neighbourhood unfriendly, about whom they know nothing. The kids in this story have never spoken with the titular lady, nor stood close to her. That some kids make games of approaching her property is also familiar and the targeted person would have to halt that nuisance. We start with the perspective of some mischievous children, then narration switches to the single neighbourhood lady.
Her passion for gardening was clear to all but it meant more: it is her very purpose each day. She also has a pet bird. When she overheard the word ‘witch’ from neighbours enough times, she began to wonder if it might indeed apply to her. She therefore, studied at the library all day. It was amusing to read that she squeezed into her best dress and “caused a stir”, for she was not known to leave her yard! No one thought she had ever been to the library at all. Her reaction to lists of unkind spells is endearing and naturally, we find that she is quite misunderstood.
When a boy is cornered, while she actually attempts riding a broom; they are forced into a conversation and she speaks very plainly about what he interrupted. He is intrigued enough to offer assistance. Thus, this witch-in-training reluctantly accepts the input of a trio, who genuinely want her endeavour to succeed. As an illustrated children’s book, it is short but there is nothing else like it. Felice Holman is gifted.
Many stories commonly deem someone in a neighbourhood unfriendly, about whom they know nothing. The kids in this story have never spoken with the titular lady, nor stood close to her. That some kids make games of approaching her property is also familiar and the targeted person would have to halt that nuisance. We start with the perspective of some mischievous children, then narration switches to the single neighbourhood lady.
Her passion for gardening was clear to all but it meant more: it is her very purpose each day. She also has a pet bird. When she overheard the word ‘witch’ from neighbours enough times, she began to wonder if it might indeed apply to her. She therefore, studied at the library all day. It was amusing to read that she squeezed into her best dress and “caused a stir”, for she was not known to leave her yard! No one thought she had ever been to the library at all. Her reaction to lists of unkind spells is endearing and naturally, we find that she is quite misunderstood.
When a boy is cornered, while she actually attempts riding a broom; they are forced into a conversation and she speaks very plainly about what he interrupted. He is intrigued enough to offer assistance. Thus, this witch-in-training reluctantly accepts the input of a trio, who genuinely want her endeavour to succeed. As an illustrated children’s book, it is short but there is nothing else like it. Felice Holman is gifted.
August 9, 2015
"The Witch on the Corner" - written by Felice Holman and published in 1966 by Norton. A very cute middle-grade story that would make a great read-aloud.
December 11, 2022
Capn recommended:
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews