"I'm seeking a witch / and everyone knows / Your skin must be green / With a wart on your nose / Should travel by broom / Wear a tall pointy hat / Love eye of newt / Adore your black cat." And so begins this adorable holiday board book from author Angela DiTerlizzi and illustrator Allie Smith. The narrator - presumably the black cat on the back cover - enumerates all the qualities a witch should have, concluding: "And you can be frightening / if you know what I mean / But just for one night / 'cause this night's Halloween!"

The entertaining sing-song text in Seeking a Witch is well-matched by the brightly colored illustrations, which fairly leap off the page, and which capture the fun and frights of Halloween. I imagine that some might find Allie Smith's artwork rather garish, but surprisingly, given my usual feelings about the matter - I often prefer a subtler color palette - I found the visuals here immensely appealing. Perhaps I simply associate bolder colors - deep blacks, vivid oranges - with the holiday season. Whatever the case may be, this little board-book was an undoubted winner with me, and will make a sweet addition to my 'witchy-witches' shelf. Recommended to anyone looking for entertaining Halloween fare for babies and toddlers. ( )