Witch Mama

by Judith Caseley

Jenna & Mickey (2)

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Jenna celebrates her Halloween birthday by trick-or-treating with her younger brother in the neighborhood and going to a party at school where her mother gives her a special surprise.

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4 reviews
Born on Halloween day, Jenna had always had an affinity for the holiday, as had her mother, dubbed "Witch Mama" after Jenna's birth. When her timid little brother Mickey experiences his first trick-or-treating, Jenna is there at every step to reassure him, just as she takes him in hand and makes him feel safe when they attend their school's Halloween party. The book closes as they experience their Witch Mama's 'Haunted Hallway...'

I'm not sure why I have never tracked down more titles from author/artist Judith Caseley, after enjoying her lovely Apple Pie and Onions a few years back, but I'm glad I finally picked up Witch Mama, after seeing it on a list of witchy picture-books. I saw some of the same qualities here - a loving, close-knit show more family circle; a heartwarming story about everyday people; vibrant artwork - that made that earlier book so appealing. I think that Jenna's gentle and repetitive reassurances, when Mickey is feeling scared, will do much to alleviate similar fears that young readers and listeners might have, drawing their attention to the fact that Halloween is make believe, and that these aren't real ghosts and monsters and witches being confronted. Recommended to anyone seeking reassuring Halloween picture-books, or sweet family stories. show less
I thought this was a cute story of a family on Halloween. This story depicted a good way of how to deal with a girl or boy who is scared on the holiday. The author did this by reassuring Mickey that the ghosts and witches were people that he knew and saw everyday they were just dressed up. I liked this story and would definitely pull it out in the classroom in October.
Great book to read on Halloween. Very good colorful pictures
A good book to read on Halloween. Have the students write a description and draw a picture of their halloween costume.

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38 Works 1,410 Members
Judith Caseley was born in the small town of Winfield, New Jersey, a converted army development. She went to Syracuse University and majored in English, but felt she never would get all of the reading done because she worked in the cafeteria. I switched into art in my sophomore year. During her four years in college, she never took a single course show more in illustration or writing. Ten years later, from greeting cards to gallery work, she became an author and illustrator of children's books. She worked part-time as a receptionist for years until she could support herself. Much of Judith's work is semi-autobiographical. She takes small events from her life or from the lives of her children, and fictionalize them. "Field Day Friday" was based on her son Michael's field day, when his new sneaker fell off in the middle of the race. Judith wrote "Praying to A.L." while my father was dying of Alzheimer's Disease. It is a book that is close to her heart. It deals with loss, death, and rebirth. (Bowker Author Biography) show less

Series

Common Knowledge

Original publication date
1996
People/Characters
Jenna
Important events
Halloween
Dedication
To my own sweet Mama, with love

Classifications

Genres
Children's Books, Picture Books
DDC/MDS
813.5Literature & rhetoricAmerican literature in EnglishAmerican fiction in English1900-1999
LCC
PZ7 .C2677 .WLanguage and LiteratureFiction and juvenile belles lettresFiction and juvenile belles lettresJuvenile belles lettres

Statistics

Members
24
Popularity
1,106,741
Reviews
4
Rating
½ (3.42)
Languages
English
Media
Paper
ISBNs
3