Brooms Are for Flying

by Michael Rex

A funny, interactive Halloween story for preschoolers.

Bones are for shaking.
Capes are for sneaking.
Mouths are for moaning.
Tummies are for treating.

One Halloween, a little witch joins a group of young trick-or-treaters, and all participate in a wonderful foot-stomping, hand-clapping dance. But when the children take off their masks, they get a big under her mask, the little witch really is a witch -- and she shows the others that brooms really are for flying!

With his signature bold, bright artwork and simple, engaging text, Michael Rex has created the perfect Halloween book for preschoolers, who will love to do as the monsters do in this uproarious celebration. The rhythmic text begs to be chanted aloud, and the little witch provides all the thrills of this favorite holiday, without any of the chills.

Genres: Halloween, Picture Books, Storytime, Childrens, Holiday, Fiction, Witches

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2000

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little witch leads a group of trick-or-treaters through a Halloween dance in this picture-book intended for the youngest listeners. With no more than a few words per two-page spread - "Bones are for shaking. / Capes are for sneaking. / Mouths are for moaning." - accompanied by brightly colored illustrations of the witch demonstrating the action in question, Broom Are For Flying! is a book made for reading aloud with the toddler and under set. There is even a little surprise at the end, for trick-or-treaters and reader/listeners!

This is a book that really works: it does what it sets out to do, I think, and will hold the attention of its target audience, and keeping them entertained. Unfortunately, it just wasn't to my taste, something I might put down to my age, were it not for the enjoyment I have derived from other early childhood books. The pencil and computer-generated artwork just didn't do anything for me, and given the extreme paucity of text, this just made it impossible to really warm up to the book. Still, mileage varies, on these things, and I would still recommend this title to anyone looking for Halloween story-time selections for the younger childhood crowd.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

When it's time for a WIGGLE BREAK book put your hands on this one and prepare for some fun.
"Everyone ready? Follow me!" (all stand up)
"Legs are for marching" (march in place. lift those knees high)
"Feet are for stomping" (and so forth)
Pictures are populated with a pirate, an alien, a monster, a clown, a mummy, some bats, a wolf, a dog, a skeleton, a vampire, and a ghost, all led by a witch who rides a what? A BROOM, of course.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun read aloud for Halloween. There is now a cute board book version for toddlers too. Readers will be up on their feet dancing along with the movements of the Halloween characters. Flap your arms with bats, wag your tail with werewolves, so much fun.

[Elena Maddox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good for babies or toddlers

[Ms. Jeane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect book to use for young readers.

[Donna Mork · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book about what different things are for (feet are for stomping etc).
Happy Halloween.

[Jenna Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun book but totally better at Hallow'een!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations, movement and a Halloween surprise!

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun interactive have where there are different actions are mentioned. My preschoolers absolutely loved this for our Halloween party.

[Miss Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun interactive have where there are different actions are mentioned. My preschoolers absolutely loved this for our Halloween party.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice combination of funny and (not too) spooky for the littlest trick or treaters.

[Dolores · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, engaging Halloween for the little ones. Makes for a great movement break.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute board book for young children. It has fun illustrations and great moves.

[Bekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute with a little spooky twist at the end. My 7 year old got a kick out of it

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used in Milk and Cookies storytime on 10/15/24. Big hit.

Used in Baby Storytime and Little Movers on 10/25/24.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My five-year-old son picked this book out from the library last week. Yes, I know it is more than two months until Hallowe'en. He was on a purple book kick, and this one had purple on the back cover.

This book is a cute little twist on a Hallowe'en pretend story -- young listeners will really like it.


Actual rating: 3.5 stars, but I round up.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great toddler choice for Halloween. And it does the involved action for you!

10/30/10 This went well in the middle of the Halloween program. The little kids liked it, and the older kids seemed to enjoy it, too. The ending went off better than I expected. A good choice.

[Andie]

I bought this book to read to my grandchildren. They LOVE it, and so do I. It takes the reader through all the different activities Halloween characters do so that the listeners can join in (i.e. stomping like Frankenstein, moaning like a ghost, etc.). Delightful!

[Bree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Halloween theme in my Pre-K class. We read through it once and then we used it to do movement as well. Each page has some kind of movement on it like, "Wings are for flapping." We also liked the surprise at the end!

[Miss Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book about all the things different body parts are for. A little witch goes through and says each body part is good for stomping or shaking etc. Simple text and really clear pictures. Toddlers and up. Can't wait to try this out.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, cute Halloween story.

[Jen H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book. Toddlers will love to act this out with you. Wings are for flapping, eyes are for peeking, feet are for stomping.

[Stefani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of fun! Great for acting out the story.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would be a fun toddler storytime halloween book.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for toddler storytime - all about parts of body and what they're for.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written for beginning readers, a little witch along with other trick-or-treaters demonstrate how "bones are for shaking," "brooms are for flying," and "capes are for sneaking," et cetera . . .

[Jennifer]

Used for Halloween baby storytime October 2008.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

FUN!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute halloween book.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Get ready for Halloween with this rhyming picture book.