 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Widow's Broom
- By Chris Van Allsburg
- Genre: Picture Book
Common Sense Media says
Shivery story with a surprise ending.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this atmospheric story, accompanied by Van Allsburg's usual magnificent artwork, has an ending twist that delights kids.
What's the story?
A witch leaves behind a broom that can't fly anymore, but it can still do chores for the lonely widow who befriends it. But the neighbors think it's evil and want to destroy it. Spectacular sepia-toned illustrations highlight this shivery story with a surprise ending.
Is it any good?
The big attraction in Chris Van Allsburg's books is his stunning illustrations, but this is one of his better stories as well. Reminiscent of an entry in the old "Amazing Stories" TV series, this pleasantly atmospheric tale has a twist at the end that delights kids with the satisfaction of seeing overbearing bullies get their due through the cleverness of the meek.
The full-page pictures are done in textured shades of gray that give the impression of sepia-tone art. The style is reminiscent of the one he used in The Mysteries of Harris Burdick, but grainier. Some of them are cinematically dramatic, such as the picture of the witch looking to the skies, lit by flames, while others, such as a scene of surprised chickens being fed by the broom, are funny.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the neighbors' distrust and fear of the broom. Although the broom has not caused any harm, why do they want to destroy it?
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Kid, 12 years old
November 9, 2011
AGE
great book that might scare super young kids
A great story, but its more scary elements might creep down to the bones of younger children. A good toddler to preteen book if they like amazingly illustrated picture books with clues, mystery, and surprise endings. Van Allsburg used to be my 4th-grade hero of picture books, and he still is one of my heroes. But anyways, The Widow's Broom is a good book for young kids, but it's a shivery, creepy story at its core.
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| Author: | Chris Van Allsburg |
| Illustrator: | Chris Van Allsburg |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Picture Book |
| Publisher: | Houghton Mifflin Children's Books |
| Publication date: | January 1, 1992 |
| Number of pages: | 28 |
| Hardcover price: | $18.95 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 4 - 7 |
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