Colin Hawkins

Colin and Jacqui Hawkins present this picture-book guide to witches, pairing an amusing text with detailed, deliciously creepy illustrations. Beginning with a description of a typical witch - a woman of great age, wrinkled face, furrowed brow, scolding tongue, and so on - the book encourages the reader to question whether their own granny might be one, offering a series of questions to help in determining the truth. Witches (and grannies) need lots of love, and the rest of the book is show more dedicated to various witchy topics - animal familiars, the witch's home, witchy hygiene habits, witchy fashion, witch cuisine, the witch's shopping schedule, magical gardening, spell-casting, magical cures, the social dynamics of witch society, broom-flying and other modes of witchy transportation, and Halloween fun - that will help the reader to understand them better. The book closes with some helpful witchy facts...

First published in 1981, Witches is one of a number of picture-book guides from this husband-and-wife team to explore the world of different fascinating figures, including Spooks, Monsters, Vampires and Pirates. I was drawn to it because witchy picture-books and early readers are a pet project of mine, and because I enjoyed the Hawkins' subsequent Wizzie Witch (1999), which also offers a catalogue/guide to the witchy lifestyle. It's a shame I didn't encounter this as a child - it was definitely around when I was a girl - because I suspect that I would have greatly enjoyed poring over it, looking at all of the humorous illustrations, appreciating all the little jokes that are included. The text itself is quite interesting, not just for its entertaining mixture of humor and witchy "facts," but because it ties the figure of the witch and the grandmother together, and makes the argument that, for the most part, witches were/are good. As the narrator says, "on the whole, witches have usually practiced their arts to good purpose," and are "warm, sincere human beings." High praise indeed! Recommended to all the little witches and witch-lovers out there, and to fans of the Hawkins' distinctive art style. show less

In this delightful catalogue of witchy pursuits and activities, husband and wife team Jacqui and Colin Hawkins set out to document the life and world of Wizzie, a "charming old witch" who resided at Cauldron Cottage, 13 Spooky Lane, Witchwood. From Wizzie's house to her clothing, from the spells she uses to the pets she keeps, Wizzie Witch chronicles every aspect of its subject's enchanting existence, finishing up with a depiction of her witchy dreams, after a busy day giving a magic tea show more party to her friends, Wendy, Wanda and Wilma.

Although it is rather discursive, and doesn't offer much in the way of a sequential narrative, this is still a charming book, one that young would-be witches and wizards will enjoy perusing. The artwork is delightfully quirky, with plenty of amusing details to keep children engrossed, while the text offers an engaging look at all aspects of a witch's life. I'm surprised, really, to see that it hasn't been rated or reviewed much online! Recommended to young readers who enjoy witchy tales and artwork. show less

I used to read this book all the time when I was younger, but now I'm wondering what I liked about it, or what lessons I could have possibly benefited from in this. The book is fun to read, it all rhymes, its about a superstar pig (my childhood dream to be a star), and she gets everything she wants. But there's the problem. Mig is materialistic and obsessed with how she looks. In such a young age we should not be subjection children to this. There is also a part where they flat out call a show more bear fat, then some of the other characters point out the "size of his thighs". I was appalled when I read this. This is not a book I ever want my future children to read. show less

A cute spin on the tale of the house that jack built, it added flip flaps with pictures under to add a little more to the books to engage a child and touch and feel. It is great how it adds on to the story. This could give students a great writing assignment of what would be the add-on you would add to the end of 'The house that jack built'. They could write or draw out the details. I would love to have this in my classroom library for young children to read and get a rhythm to reading to show more possibly help with fluency. show less