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A Job for Wittilda
When you're a witch with 47 cats and are down to your last dried rat, it's time to get out the want ads. Wittilda's attempt to work at a beauty shop ends in disaster, so she goes to Dingaling Pizza, where the applicants are told, "'Five pizzas each to deliver. The first one back gets the job!'" Wittilda balances the boxes on one hand as she flies over town on her broomstick. She is slowed down when she helps a kitten caught in a tree, but still makes her deliveries in time to land the position. The last page shows the witch and 48 cats all eating pizza together by candlelight. The rhythmic language has an effortless flow, and both text and artwork are a great mix of the traditional and the contemporary. The illustrations (oil over acrylic) are a delight, with comic touches to discover at every rereading. The evening scenes showing Wittilda flying through a luminous moonlit night are especially effective. The best book to date by this husband/ wife team, this one is a winner for group sharing."
32 pages, Paperback
First published September 6, 1993
2 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
May 20, 2019
Wittilda was a witch with a serious problem. Her forty-seven cats - strays and lost kittens always seemed to find their way to her house - needed feeding, and she was down to her last dried rat! What to do...? Get a job, of course! But when her first day working at her Aunt Bort's hair salon ended in disaster, Wittilda had to begin her search anew. And then she saw an advertisement for a pizza deliverer, and her mind took a different direction altogether...
Although I wouldn't say that it was one of my favorites, when it comes to the slew of witchy picture-books I've been reading recently, A Job for Wittilda is still an engaging little story, ideally suited for those younger readers looking for gentler Halloween style fare. Wittilda is an appealing heroine, one who puts her feline charges first. The artwork - created using oil paint over acrylics - is colorful and fun. I particularly liked some of the little details - the expressions on the cats' faces, the spider and mouse who follow Wittilda around. All in all, an entertaining tale!
Although I wouldn't say that it was one of my favorites, when it comes to the slew of witchy picture-books I've been reading recently, A Job for Wittilda is still an engaging little story, ideally suited for those younger readers looking for gentler Halloween style fare. Wittilda is an appealing heroine, one who puts her feline charges first. The artwork - created using oil paint over acrylics - is colorful and fun. I particularly liked some of the little details - the expressions on the cats' faces, the spider and mouse who follow Wittilda around. All in all, an entertaining tale!
October 21, 2010
I wasn't sure if I'd like this one, because the illustration style isn't really my cup of tea--but they grew on me as the story progressed and they are quite humorous and definitely add to the storytelling! And that story is a cute one--Wittilda's heart melts when she sees a stray cat, and she really can't say "no" to their cute meows, so she ends up with forty-seven of them! But, she needs to find a way to feed all of them since the mice supply has disappeared and the cats don't really enjoy her witchy cooking. When she learns about a job for a pizza delivery person, she thinks she will be perfect for the task. But, just as she has almost solved her problem of feeding her forty-seven cats, a new kitten appears and just might ruin everything. But, can Wittilda ignore it's cute "Meeow!"???
Overall, I found this a sweet and amusing story. Of course, for those of us in the sometimes sad and frustrating "grown-up" world we know that there can be very real problems with one person having so many cats--and the issue can't be solved by something so simple and delicious as pizza. Still, taken as it is--a charming children's book about a good-hearted witch--it is a delight! ;-)
Overall, I found this a sweet and amusing story. Of course, for those of us in the sometimes sad and frustrating "grown-up" world we know that there can be very real problems with one person having so many cats--and the issue can't be solved by something so simple and delicious as pizza. Still, taken as it is--a charming children's book about a good-hearted witch--it is a delight! ;-)
June 19, 2019
What a cute story about a witch who needs to get a job to feed herself and her cats!
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January 21, 2017
This was so much fun and now I want nothing more than to eat a huge slice of pizza.
October 16, 2019
I wish our pizza was delivered by broomstick.
January 26, 2022
I love the picture books by the Buehners. This is a fun tale about a witch who needs a job and tries out to be a pizza delivery person. The artwork is amazing, and has hidden details on every page. The story is really fun!
May 1, 2018
I'll probably be on board with any book featuring a house full of cats
October 31, 2019
A witch decides to get a job to earn money to feed her hungry kitties! This is an adorable story that’s always been one of my favorites.
November 25, 2022
Fun story and the Mark Buehner's illustrations are great.
December 22, 2022
Open Library.
March 18, 2024
Loved this! Super funny!
Especially a name like Aunt Bort! Lmao
Especially a name like Aunt Bort! Lmao
August 3, 2024
Goofy, but as a witchy cat lady, I approve.
October 23, 2024
love the cats in the book spoiler alert!!!!!
October 29, 2024
Subbing at the school library and got to read this one to the kids. Crazy cat lady story.
August 28, 2025
A very quirky little book. The illustrations weren't my favourite.
September 12, 2025
Fantastic, high-flying storyline and delightfully quirky illustrations--this one is a great not-too-spooky read for the Halloween season.
October 27, 2020
Pizza witch! Pizza witch!
November 30, 2013
A Job for Wittilda is a fun little children’s book about a Witch who had one too many cats that she could not afford. Forty seven cats to be exact! So she sets off to find a job where she can earn some money, food wasn’t just going to appear for all of her furry friends! She looks for jobs in her local newspaper and finds a listing for a hairdresser, but she takes the clients hair in her own hands and changes it to match her preferences, not the clients. This sadly gets her fired from her first job and she if off looking for another! Wittilda finds a wanted ad for a pizza delivery person and believes it is a match made in heaven! So off she goes and gets the job and she sets out to prove to others and herself that she can do it and provide for all of her cats. Wittilda shows determination and how not to give up, even when it is looking grim keeping a positive attitude can go wonders! It is a great read for around October and the illustrations are lively and colorful, it would be great in a second or third grade classroom studying characteristics similar to what Wittilda has, like determination.
Buehner, C., & Buehner, M. (1993). A job for Wittilda. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers.
Buehner, C., & Buehner, M. (1993). A job for Wittilda. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers.
March 16, 2016
When Wittilda runs out of food for herself and her cats, she need a job to buy more. So she applies as a pizza delivery person. Will she get the job?
Wittilda is offbeat and charming, and the illustration style, with its rounded edges and not-quite-scary oddball style reminiscent of The Stinky Cheese Man: And OtherFairly Stupid Tales and The Frog Prince, Continued , is appealing.
Pair with Kiki's Delivery Service book or movie, for a different kind of delivery service, or Hi, Pizza Man! for a different oddball take on pizza delivery.
Wittilda is offbeat and charming, and the illustration style, with its rounded edges and not-quite-scary oddball style reminiscent of The Stinky Cheese Man: And OtherFairly Stupid Tales and The Frog Prince, Continued , is appealing.
Pair with Kiki's Delivery Service book or movie, for a different kind of delivery service, or Hi, Pizza Man! for a different oddball take on pizza delivery.
October 22, 2015
Synopsis: Wittilda, a witch who lives with her 47 cats, runs out of food for them and decides to take up a job. After reading the job ads in the newspaper, Wittilda decides to apply for a delivery girl position at the local pizza shop.
Why I like it: The pictures are phenomenal. They're detailed enough to keep kids interested. Each time I read through it, I notice something I missed before, and I like the style of the illustrations--very saturated colors. And the cats are hilarious (one does the crossword while Wittilda is job hunting).
I can empathize with Wittilda's need to take in and care for every stray cat. If something's hungry, I'm going to feed it.
And this would make a really good not-so-spooky October story time. It's Halloween-themed in that it's about a witch and there are various "creepy" aspects (a spider, a full moon, a spell Wittilda casts on her broom) but it isn't scary--it's more humorous. And the word/picture ratio are perfect for read-aloud.
Why I like it: The pictures are phenomenal. They're detailed enough to keep kids interested. Each time I read through it, I notice something I missed before, and I like the style of the illustrations--very saturated colors. And the cats are hilarious (one does the crossword while Wittilda is job hunting).
I can empathize with Wittilda's need to take in and care for every stray cat. If something's hungry, I'm going to feed it.
And this would make a really good not-so-spooky October story time. It's Halloween-themed in that it's about a witch and there are various "creepy" aspects (a spider, a full moon, a spell Wittilda casts on her broom) but it isn't scary--it's more humorous. And the word/picture ratio are perfect for read-aloud.
February 8, 2011
I read this book with my son who is in Kindergarten. He really enjoyed it because it was about a witch and her cats, which he likes a lot! I thought the story was pretty well written, and the illustrations were both pretty to look at, and interesting... The pictures helped to tell the story. There was a recurring hidden spider and mouse in each picture, which is neat, and I have seen it in many children's books recently. Although its fun, and is meant to get the child involved, I think sometimes it distracts my son from the actual story. Although I enjoyed this book, it is not my favorite. I recommend the book to boys and girls preschool - maybe 1st grade?
June 25, 2015
In this book, Wattilda has a LOT of cats who are all very hungry. To solve this problem, Wattilda decides she needs to get a job. She starts at a hairdresser, but messes that up badly. Finally she tries for a pizza delivery job and races to be the first to deliver five pizzas. This book is charming in that it captures the struggles of a witch who would normally be considered the "bad guy". I think it is a book children can really connect with because Wattilda's mistakes are done when she is trying to do her best to help. This would be a great book to use as a lesson to students that everyone has a special way in which they can contribute.
January 9, 2016
Wittilda is a witch with A LOT of cats. The only problem, she doesn't have the cash to take care of her cats. So Wittilda starts to look for a job. She finds one delivering pizzas, but will only get it if she can deliver fast enough. It's ok though, who can beat a witch on a broom?
The story is fun, but the pictures are a masterpiece. The pictures have deep colors and are on the busy side, but in a good way. The hidden images in the pictures are great. The pictures are funny and creative and they comment on the story in bizarre ways. I would use this book to teach about sub text in picture books.
The story is fun, but the pictures are a masterpiece. The pictures have deep colors and are on the busy side, but in a good way. The hidden images in the pictures are great. The pictures are funny and creative and they comment on the story in bizarre ways. I would use this book to teach about sub text in picture books.
August 23, 2011
I absolutely love this book. My daughter brought it home from a scholastic book fair. Wittilda has a heart of gold and wants to help everyone including the 47 stray cats that she has taken into her home to live. Running low on rats for their food she has to go find a job. This is such a fun book with super illustrations. There's loads of humour, bright colors, and clever little details to search for, hidden among the hubbub on each page. I promise you Wittilda will make your laugh and win your heart.
November 14, 2008
Wittilda, the witch, needs a job to feed her forty cats. She ends up being a delivery person for a pizza store. This proves to be a perfect job for someone who travels on a broom. This would make a great read-aloud for young children. Also, this would be a great story to read to one or two children that could see the pages up close as you read. On each page they could try to find the spider and mouse that are cleverly hidden.
October 29, 2012
Poor Wittilda - 47 cats to feed, and they just finished off the final dried rat! Her skills are put to the test as she heads out to find a job just to get some kibble for her feline friends. During her job interview/simulation/competition, her character is put to the test, and she passes with FLYING colors! A nice read with a positive message about integrity.
September 30, 2008
My kids and I love this book! We have read it several times in the last few days and it always elicits giggles. I think it is a sweet, fun story...perfect for Halloween. Don't forget to have your children look for the spider and mouse in every illustration!
October 24, 2008
darling detailed illustrations and a sweet storyline of putting compassion above your schedule.... this sweet witch takes care of 47 cats! very fun, very funny, memorable book that will hold a new permanent place in my family's heart.
July 7, 2009
Wittilda has 47 cats and is down to her last canned rat. What can she do? Get a job of course! Her first job as a hairdresser didn't go so well. Can she make it as a pizza deliverer? Fun story and great pictures.
July 9, 2014
A job for Wittilda is one of my favorite books. It is about a witch and her 47 cats. And she gets a job delivering pizzas. It's a really funny book with colorful illustrations. I actually still have this book it is a family favorite.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews