Damian Harvey

With a party in the offing, Whizzy Witch zooms off to the store in order to purchase new clothing in this early reader from prolific British children's author Damian Harvey. Having obtained an entirely new outfit, she zooms home, pleased with the dirt and soot she adds to her new clothes, along the way...

Published in 2007 as part of Franklin Watts' Reading Corner collection of early readers—given the color scheme and number of bars on the cover, it falls into the Grade 1/70 words show more category—Whizzy Witch is the first book I have read from Harvey, who appears to specialize in children's books for the early reader stage, and who has published more than one hundred titles. Although there's not much here for the adult reader, I found this one fun, and appreciated the vibrantly colorful and frenetically active artwork from illustrator Marjorie Dumortier. I tracked Whizzy Witch down solely because of my interest in witchy picture books and early readers, and am glad to have done so. I enjoyed it for the witchy content—the artwork, in particular, stood out, with so many bright colors and quirky forms—and would consider picking up other titles from these creators. Recommended to beginning readers who enjoy witchy fare. show less

A witch flies back from buying her new clothes and is delighted with the messy look caused by her rough journey in this gloriously energetic tale. It would have five stars if the mess had been just a bit more overt.

Some fun concepts. The pirates never wash until the pirate captain's (named Roger) mom comes aboard. Roger had a squint even as a lad!

Big Gorilla's got an itch right in the middle of his back. All the animals offer different suggestions but nothing seems to helps. What is waiting for Big Gorilla at home that will cure his itch?