Deborah Hautzig

Little Witch, that endearing young magical practitioner who first appeared in Little Witch's Big Night, and who always manages to disappoint her mother by being too good, discovers the pleasure of the written word in this fifth beginning reader devoted to her adventures. Although her mother refuses to read to her - "Bedtime stories are for children - not witches," she screams - and forbids her to bring any books into the house, Little Witch persists, eventually winning her family over by show more reading Snow White to them.

As a fairy-tale lover, I was charmed by the fact that the conflict in Little Witch Learns to Read was resolved by a reading of Snow White, with all its lovely nastiness! Mother Witch's discovery that fairy-tales can be quite frightening, and often contain many gory elements, reconciles her to their more pleasant aspects. All in all, this was a cute addition to Hautzig's series about the Little Witch, and is recommended to beginning readers who enjoy witchy tales. show less

Deborah Hautzig's Little Witch, that endearing young magical practitioner whose good behavior always seems to land her in trouble with her disappointed mother, who expects less niceness from a witch, returns in this third early reader devoted to her adventures. Hoping to be allowed to go to school with her friends, Little Witch makes a bargain with her mother, promising to be bad. But there's only so much a good little witch can do, and her first day in Ms. Brooks' class is both productive show more and happy. Will Mother Witch forgive her for breaking her promise...?

After first appearing in 1984, in the early reader Little Witch's Big Night, and then again in 1985, in Happy Birthday, Little Witch, Little Witch disappeared for more than a decade before popping up again in this title, which was first published in 1998. She's still the same good little girl though, and the conclusion of the story, in which Mother Witch is pleased, because her daughter has broken her promise (thereby doing something bad!), continues the storytelling technique of the first two books, in which common childhood realities - the importance placed on being good, on keeping promises, even on limiting sweets! - is reversed in our witchy heroine's family. Sweet and entertaining, Little Witch Goes to School is an appealing addition to Hautzig's series, and an excellent selection for beginning readers who enjoy witchy tales. show less

What secrets lie behind the doors at Misselthwaite Manor? Recently arrived at her uncle's estate, orphaned Mary Lennox is spoiled, sickly, and certain she won't enjoy living there. Then she discovers the arched doorway into an overgrown garden, shut up since the death of her aunt ten years earlier. Mary soon begins transforming it into a thing of beauty--unaware that she is changing too.

But Misselthwaite hides another secret, as Mary discovers one night. High in a dark room, away from the show more rest of the house, lies her young cousin, Colin, who believes he is an incurable invalid, destined to die young. His tantrums are so frightful, no one can reason with him. If only, Mary hopes, she can get Colin to love the secret garden as much as she does, its magic will work wonders on him. show less

Deborah Hautzig's Little Witch, that young magical practitioner who is always in trouble with her mother for being too nice, returns in this sixth beginning reader devoted to her adventures. At first disappointed that her family is going to the seashore for their holiday, as she had wanted to go to camp with her friend Marcus, Little Witch is soon reconciled to the trip. Enjoying her time on the beach, she makes two new friends, and discovers the pleasure of writing, whether that be lists or show more letters...

Like its predecessors, Little Witch Loves to Write is part of Random House's Step Into Reading beginning reader collection (Step 3). Unlike its predecessors, it is a more interactive read, with plenty of pages where the young reader must fill things in, whether that be making a list of beach objects that Little Witch and her friend gather for Marcus, or completing the fairy-tale to go along with the sand castle they build. There is also a word finder games, at one point. All in all, a fun little entry in this entertaining series. Recommended to fans of Hautzig's character, as well as to beginning readers (and writers!) who enjoy witchy fare. show less