R. W. Alley

Picture-book author and artist R.W. Alley takes the classic Halloween song, There Once Was a Witch, and makes it into a charming board book in this entertaining holiday title. The two verses of the song, which describe a witch flying on Halloween night, are spread out across seven two-page spreads, while the accompanying artwork depicts both the witch's flight, and the trick-or-treaters she encounters. The final spread gives the musical notation for the song...

I greatly enjoyed There Once show more Was a Witch, both for the adorable illustrations, and for the rhyming text. After reading it through once, I then sought out a recording of the song on youtube (see this version HERE), and read the book again, singing along. Somehow, despite loving both Halloween and witchy tales, I never knew this song, so I am glad to have discovered it! Recommended to anyone looking for fun Halloween board books, or for a pictorial accompaniment to the song. show less

One winter day, Annabelle and her brothers and sisters are inside playing when suddenly she decides she is going to the South Pole. On her way there, she is in the middle of a blizzard and comes across a huge snow giant. She tells him where she is going and he helps carry her to the South Pole. When they run into wizards, Annabelle is focused and won't be told "no" to get to her destination. This book teaches children to overcome their fears and to stay driven and focused when it comes to show more reaching your goals, but it is a bit confusing to follow. show less

Very stupid people act very stupidly around Halloween. It almost makes Amelia Bedelia look like high-brow literature.

My daughter didn't much like it when she was five. I do have to wonder if that may be because I read books I'm not enjoying with less gusto than books I like.

FOR REFERENCE:

Contents: Halloween Tricks -- Hiding from Halloween -- Where Is Doris?

Rated “Indifferent" in our old book database by Rod and Adelia.

The ghost that pops out of the old green bottle Mr. Dobbs finds is very helpful in the diner, but the rest of the help and customers are too frightened to find out what a nice ghost he really is.