Book Details
Written by
Illustrated by
Genre
More details

The Witch's Child (by Arthur Yorinks)

common sense media says

Too scary for most picture book readers.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is definitely a book to consider closely before reading to a child. The witch is too scary for most kids at the picture book level (older kids are more likely to want to read something meatier), and images include a doll that looks like a corpse.

Positive messages: Evil meets her due by the end of the book.
Violence: Very scary images for a picture book of a wicked witch and a doll that looks like a corpse.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on The Witch's Child

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about familiar fairy tale themes that crop up in this book. For example, what does the witch in this book have in common with the witch in Rapunzel? Or Hansel and Gretel? Is the story of a straw child who comes to life familiar in other ways?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Rosina the witch wants a child and turns to magic to make her dream come true.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Arthur Yorinks is a frequent collaborator with Maurice Sendak and the men share a fascination with archetypal tales with fairy-tale elements and creepy stories that often give parents pause. While Sendak didn't join him for this story, Yorinks' fascination with the juvenile macabre is certainly on display here. It's difficult to figure out the intended audience for this creepy book about a witch who wants a child. It seems like a curiosity piece for kids old enough to want to be spooked since it's much too scary for anyone young enough to be reaching for picture books.

Jos Smith's illustrations perfectly suit the book: The story opens with the witch floating through crooked trees looking like any kid's worst nightmare. Yorinks is an adept storyteller and Smith is an effective illustrator, but this perfect marriage of author and illustrator just makes for a more frightening book. Read at your own risk and certainly vet before passing it on to the kids.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Arthur Yorinks
Illustrator: Jos. A. Smith
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Publication date: September 1, 2007
Number of pages: 32
Hardcover price: $16.95
Read Aloud: 9
Read Alone: 12

This review was written by Dawn Friedman
 
 

Review It

 

Review The Witch's Child





Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

Most useful reviews by all members

katieashburn
parent of and 4 , 7 , 10 , 13 year old
 
For some reason it is my 2 1/2 year old's absolute favorite book! We got it from the library and now that it is finally due (after 3 renewals), I'm going to look for a copy to buy.

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
 

vote now

Will you read The Witch's Child?


Already read it? What do you think?

 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors


About our rating system
ON: Content is 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