Denis Bond

Part of the "Read with Little Hippo" collection, created for children just learning to read, The Witch Who Loved to Make Children Cry follows it eponymous magical practitioner as she makes herself an all-around nuisance. Enchanting the children's roundabout so that they become ill, destroying their kites in a fierce wind, popping their paddling pool, and raining on their picnic - she takes every opportunity available to cause distress, hoping to make the children cry. But when one little girl, angry rather than sad, steals her broom, she discovers that it is no fun to be the one being tricked. Will she prove she has learned her lesson, when the broom is returned, or will she be back to her old ways...?

The answer to that is a resounding yes, as the witch learns that using her long bony finger to make children laugh is a lot more fun than making them cry. This is a pleasant little tale, with plenty of witchy hi-jinks, a sweet ending, and colorful, cartoon-style illustrations. It's not quite what I would think of as a "beginning reader," despite the blurb on the back cover, as I think it's a little too text-heavy to fit that description, and I have no idea what it means, that the artwork is meant to be "supportive." Perhaps that it adds to the story, or makes the reading process easier, by offering visual clues? If so, I'm not really convinced on that score either. But leaving these issues aside, this is still a fairly entertaining tale, one that will appeal to young children who dream of getting the better of their elders, or who enjoy witchy fare.… (mais)