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Little Witch
Minikin Snickasnee - called Minx for short - was nine years old and wished with all her heart that she was not a witch's child. ...
It may sound like fun to be the daughter of Madam Snickasnee and be forbidden to go to school, to wash behind your ears, or go to bed at night. You might even like to see certain people you know turned into potted plants and have your own flying broomstick. ...
But Minx didn't like riding around in the dark or cooking up horrid pots of Black Spell Brew. Even a witch's child rebels, and one day, Minx sneaked off to school. ...
The principal was certainly surprised to see his newest pupil arriving on a broomstick, and life got much more exciting for a lot of people - the school-children, Mr. Beanpot the detective and Mrs. Sputter of the Parent-Teachers' Association. ...
Anyone who ever longed to cast a spell or experiment with a magic kettle will delight in the wonderful story of Minx and how her dearest wish came true. Helen Stone's gay line drawings make the little witch and her friends come alive with humor and Hallowe'en spirit.
It may sound like fun to be the daughter of Madam Snickasnee and be forbidden to go to school, to wash behind your ears, or go to bed at night. You might even like to see certain people you know turned into potted plants and have your own flying broomstick. ...
But Minx didn't like riding around in the dark or cooking up horrid pots of Black Spell Brew. Even a witch's child rebels, and one day, Minx sneaked off to school. ...
The principal was certainly surprised to see his newest pupil arriving on a broomstick, and life got much more exciting for a lot of people - the school-children, Mr. Beanpot the detective and Mrs. Sputter of the Parent-Teachers' Association. ...
Anyone who ever longed to cast a spell or experiment with a magic kettle will delight in the wonderful story of Minx and how her dearest wish came true. Helen Stone's gay line drawings make the little witch and her friends come alive with humor and Hallowe'en spirit.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1953
98 people are currently reading
1478 people want to read
About the author
Anna Elizabeth Bennett
4 books13 followersAnna Elizabeth Bennett worked at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum and the Brooklyn Public Library in the 1940s and 50s.
Later she was a children’s librarian in Massachusetts. Her best-selling children’s book Little Witch remained in print for more than forty years and inspired hundreds of children to write to the author, telling her how much they enjoyed the story.
She died in 2002 at the age of 87.
Later she was a children’s librarian in Massachusetts. Her best-selling children’s book Little Witch remained in print for more than forty years and inspired hundreds of children to write to the author, telling her how much they enjoyed the story.
She died in 2002 at the age of 87.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 299 reviews
July 12, 2019
My daughter and I are adrift. Lost. Searching for the meaning of life in a post-Harry Potter world.
We've attempted a few books after finishing Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, but nothing inspired even a spark of interest until a friend on here reviewed Little Witch, and I thought. . . okay, let's try that one. At least it's about a witch.
So, we got the book, and I was thrilled that the story was about an actual witch, named Madam Snickasee, who lives with her daughter, Minx, in “the ugliest, most rickety house in town.”
I read through the first few pages, cackling whenever I read Madam Snickasee's part of the dialogue, but after she threw several objects at her daughter and shouted “Sissy!” in her face, I started to get a stomachache.
Madam Snickasee also denies her daughter food and screams that she's “useless” and “disobedient” and calls her “stupid girl.”
Right around this point, my daughter contributed, “This is like having Bellatrix Lestrange for a mother.”
There is a joyless, abject quality to this 1953 lower grades chapter book, similar in feel to another children's book written 9 years before this one, The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes.
The witch seems to represent an abusive single mother who is living in poverty without a partner or a community and the daughter lives a solitary life without friends or advocates and fears her mother's temper, her own starvation and neglect.
The daughter, Minx, reminded me far too much of a girl I once knew whose father beat her so badly in front of us kids, right out on the front lawn of my friend's house, that he knocked the barrettes clear off of her head. The force of his blows made her fall to the ground with her ears ringing. I remember how helpless I felt in this moment, how I closed my eyes to the horror of this girl's abuse and wished her bastard of a father would collapse dead in that moment on the ground before us. I felt a similar feeling here, that the only way I'd be satisfied would be with the painful death of the witch.
Justice is served here, thankfully, and the narrative is strong as well, but there was such a sad, hopeless feeling to the book, I felt like I needed to chew a handful of antacids to finish it.
Life is so bleak for too many children on this planet. I sure as shit can't stand being reminded of it.
We've attempted a few books after finishing Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, but nothing inspired even a spark of interest until a friend on here reviewed Little Witch, and I thought. . . okay, let's try that one. At least it's about a witch.
So, we got the book, and I was thrilled that the story was about an actual witch, named Madam Snickasee, who lives with her daughter, Minx, in “the ugliest, most rickety house in town.”
I read through the first few pages, cackling whenever I read Madam Snickasee's part of the dialogue, but after she threw several objects at her daughter and shouted “Sissy!” in her face, I started to get a stomachache.
Madam Snickasee also denies her daughter food and screams that she's “useless” and “disobedient” and calls her “stupid girl.”
Right around this point, my daughter contributed, “This is like having Bellatrix Lestrange for a mother.”
There is a joyless, abject quality to this 1953 lower grades chapter book, similar in feel to another children's book written 9 years before this one, The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes.
The witch seems to represent an abusive single mother who is living in poverty without a partner or a community and the daughter lives a solitary life without friends or advocates and fears her mother's temper, her own starvation and neglect.
The daughter, Minx, reminded me far too much of a girl I once knew whose father beat her so badly in front of us kids, right out on the front lawn of my friend's house, that he knocked the barrettes clear off of her head. The force of his blows made her fall to the ground with her ears ringing. I remember how helpless I felt in this moment, how I closed my eyes to the horror of this girl's abuse and wished her bastard of a father would collapse dead in that moment on the ground before us. I felt a similar feeling here, that the only way I'd be satisfied would be with the painful death of the witch.
Justice is served here, thankfully, and the narrative is strong as well, but there was such a sad, hopeless feeling to the book, I felt like I needed to chew a handful of antacids to finish it.
Life is so bleak for too many children on this planet. I sure as shit can't stand being reminded of it.
October 31, 2018
Oh my heck! I'm not even sure what I just read!
I know I had this book as a child and, as such, I'm sure I read it many times, but not one word of this book rang a bell for me. I'm sure that even when I read this in the 80s it must have seemed dated. Reading it now is plain astonishing to see how different it is from more modern beginning reader/middle grade offerings.
4 stars for this one, mostly for nostalgia (even though I don't actually remember it), but also for making laugh out loud several times with its vintage dialogue.
Awesome Female Character score: 5/5 -- Minx the little witch is one determined chickie!
I know I had this book as a child and, as such, I'm sure I read it many times, but not one word of this book rang a bell for me. I'm sure that even when I read this in the 80s it must have seemed dated. Reading it now is plain astonishing to see how different it is from more modern beginning reader/middle grade offerings.
4 stars for this one, mostly for nostalgia (even though I don't actually remember it), but also for making laugh out loud several times with its vintage dialogue.
Awesome Female Character score: 5/5 -- Minx the little witch is one determined chickie!
February 15, 2023
“The creature laughed with a sound like water splashing softly on pebbles.”
― Anna Elizabeth Bennett, Little Witch
This is a gem of a book and one I remember fondly from childhood.
SPOILERS:
Sometimes I catch myself thinking that I got more out of some of the children's and YA books I read as a kid then some of the books I read now. Of coarse there are great books from ANY time period. Yet I wonder if children who go to school these days are exposed to the same great literature that we were.
So this book..it shines, it twinkles, it makes you fall in love with Fairies and Minx and Moonfire. I never forgot that name. Is Moonfire not one of the prettiest names in the world? Well she is a Fairy after all!
I hope children are still reading this book today and if somehow this book has escaped you, read it in adulthood as it is so sweet and such fun you will never forget it.
― Anna Elizabeth Bennett, Little Witch
This is a gem of a book and one I remember fondly from childhood.
SPOILERS:
Sometimes I catch myself thinking that I got more out of some of the children's and YA books I read as a kid then some of the books I read now. Of coarse there are great books from ANY time period. Yet I wonder if children who go to school these days are exposed to the same great literature that we were.
So this book..it shines, it twinkles, it makes you fall in love with Fairies and Minx and Moonfire. I never forgot that name. Is Moonfire not one of the prettiest names in the world? Well she is a Fairy after all!
I hope children are still reading this book today and if somehow this book has escaped you, read it in adulthood as it is so sweet and such fun you will never forget it.
July 1, 2019
What Fun! Another children's classic I'd never read, but really enjoyed....as an old person.
Named #7 in the School Library Journal poll of top 100 children's novels, this 1953 classic also topped annual lists of most in demand out-of-print books. This is the cute little 60th anniversary reprint after thirty years.
'Boil and bubble, Boil and brew! Now I cast a spell on you!
Minx is a sweet little 9 year old witch who so wants to go to school and make friends, but her nasty witch of a mother, Madame Snickasnee makes her stay home concocting Black Spell Brew she can use on local villagers.
Denied any fun, Minx risks her mother's wrath by sneaking out of the house, mixing her own potions, discovering a happy new world and a wonderful secret!
Delightful little story! How can I not give this 5 stars!
August 9, 2011
This was my favorite book as a child. Last night when I added it to my shelf here on Goodreads, I read many peoples' comments about how much they loved it and lamented it was no longer in print. Upon learning that it was out of print, I was glad to have my copy. But when I looked for it, I couldn't find it! Instead of my purple Little Witch, I had some other purple witch book that I do not recall at all. I must have unintentionally given away the wrong book. I went to the thrift store today, like I tend to do on half price Mondays, but didn't expect to find it. I was very surprised and happy to find my purple Little Witch! It was the best fifty cents ever spent. :)
November 11, 2021
Yet another entry into the "cute little witch" category. This one is supposedly a children's classic . . . that I had never heard of until I was looking for The Little Leftover Witch and this popped up on Amazon. This one was interesting in that she's a reluctant witch: her mother, Madam Snickasnee is horrible and abusive and forces her to eat frogs and make evil potions. But Minx wants to go to school and have friends, with interesting results! The ending came as a surprise, but it was very abrupt.
November 26, 2007
In elementary school (second & third & fourth grades) I read this over & over & over & over. Story of a little girl witch who wants to be nice and have friends, but who has an evil witch mother who does everything she can to squelch her good side. I felt a lot of affection for the little witch and loved being on her side. It was great fun whenever she was able to outwit her mother!
July 4, 2016
I chalk it up to growing up in the 1960s and the influence of Bewitched on TV. Before Twilight “niced up” vampires, Elizabeth Montgomery’s portrayal of good witch Samantha Stevens polished up the image of witches. Since then I’ve befriended a number of Wiccans, who can be characterized as good witches. So when I read Little Witch, I was gobsmacked to discover poor Minikin living in dread fear of her mother, Madam Snickasnee, a most evil witch, one who delights in turning innocent children — well, except for that delinquent Billy Martin — into flowerpots and in otherwise terrorizing her town. I’d forgotten that witches for centuries were feared.
Minikin — who goes by Minx — has, despite being 9 years old, never been to school, never had any friends, never had any fun. She longs to live as a normal girl, but the neighborhood children flee at her appearance, crying Witch’s child!” She spends her nights, while her mother flies out on her broomstick, trying unsuccessfully to conjure up a fairy. But an encounter with a sweet little orphan named Frances, her many siblings, and her big-hearted grandmother serve to change Minx’s life.
Little Witch has the slower pace and more moralizing tone that you’d expect from a children’s book from the 1950s; however, I enjoyed it all the same and the lessons that you shouldn’t judge someone by their family and that you should try to be brave and do what’s right are always good ones.
Minikin — who goes by Minx — has, despite being 9 years old, never been to school, never had any friends, never had any fun. She longs to live as a normal girl, but the neighborhood children flee at her appearance, crying Witch’s child!” She spends her nights, while her mother flies out on her broomstick, trying unsuccessfully to conjure up a fairy. But an encounter with a sweet little orphan named Frances, her many siblings, and her big-hearted grandmother serve to change Minx’s life.
Little Witch has the slower pace and more moralizing tone that you’d expect from a children’s book from the 1950s; however, I enjoyed it all the same and the lessons that you shouldn’t judge someone by their family and that you should try to be brave and do what’s right are always good ones.
September 18, 2014
This is the first book I ever read. I was slow and introverted. I would go to the school library and check out a lot of books, so that others would think that I read them overnight. I opened the book when I got home and started looking at the pictures the way I did all books, but then I realized that for the first time, I wanted to know what the pictures meant. I began to read it. It enveloped me in a world that paralleled my own. How often I had wanted to find out that I had been kidnapped, so many times I locked my self in the bathroom and prayed, bargained, pleaded, and even wiggled my nose like Tabitha in the hopes that my life would be transformed. That night my life was truly transformed for the first time. I learned that a good story could transport me into a different reality! I learned to make up stories in my head when I didn't have a book to read at that moment. Years later I found The Little Witch on amazon.com and bought it immediately. This story was a major stepping stone in my childhood. It now rests on a special shelf with a few other treasured books from that time in my life, along with my special hardbacks of the Harry Potter series. My oh my! What I would have given to go to Hogwarts!!!
May 1, 2011
This was my absolute favorite children's book when I was a young child. I signed it out of the school library so many times that I filled up the library card a few times. A few years ago, I was working in the library in an elementary school (different town), and they had a stack of books that they were discarding, and lo and behold...there was the book! I asked if I could keep it and they said yes. I hope some day that my daughter may like to read it.
July 26, 2012
I read this gem over and again as a child, but have looked fruitlessly for it again for nearly 20 years, and my husband finally found it again for me, and I re-read it, pleased to see that the magic has not worn off. It was a childhood favorite of my mother's as well, and she passed this memory down to me. Minikin "Minx" Snickasee was a witch's child, or so she thought...
Never had bathed, was often neglected and abused, underfed, and lived in fear of her mother. But, she had dreams... dreams that she was NOT the daughter of a witch, but a fairy instead... At the age of nine she rebelled and began attending school, meeting the lovely Frances and her large, boisterous, but kind family. The family became her saving grace, and Madame Snickasee, the old witch, was made to pay for her crimes against children and humanity in general.
And, best of all, she found that her dreams were real, and her mother, her REAL mother, was a Wood Nymph Fairy, placed under an enchantment by Madame Snickasee! Her mother, Moonfire, came to stay with Grandma and Frances' family, and Minikin finally had all the love she'd craved...
Never had bathed, was often neglected and abused, underfed, and lived in fear of her mother. But, she had dreams... dreams that she was NOT the daughter of a witch, but a fairy instead... At the age of nine she rebelled and began attending school, meeting the lovely Frances and her large, boisterous, but kind family. The family became her saving grace, and Madame Snickasee, the old witch, was made to pay for her crimes against children and humanity in general.
And, best of all, she found that her dreams were real, and her mother, her REAL mother, was a Wood Nymph Fairy, placed under an enchantment by Madame Snickasee! Her mother, Moonfire, came to stay with Grandma and Frances' family, and Minikin finally had all the love she'd craved...
February 23, 2021
3.75 stars
This was a really nice book where a girl, Minikin aka Minx, lives with a terrible witch as her “daughter” but is more like a house servant. She knows no love except brief moments of happiness where she glimpses a beautiful woman in the bureau’s mirror. Eventually, Minx decides she’s lonely and wants to go to school with the other children to learn and maybe make friends. The adults range from holding a prejudice against her since she’s a “witch’s child” to being friendly and wanting to help her. Minx is really unhappy and doesn’t want to be a “witch’s child” and is determined to live a life she wants even if she doesn’t know how to achieve it.
The story telling isn’t exactly perfect but it gets the job done. There were a couple situations that I found a bit clingy. A policeman intimidating a child was a bit weird to read about. The other was when Moonfire forces herself and Minx to move into Grandma’s home like this blasé request is supposed to be a personality trait. Think it would have been better if she said that she could only do magic in a house if she’s welcomed into it, which is why she has to surprise Grandma that way. I chalk this up to the book being from a different time period.
There are really nice illustrations throughout the book. It’s nice seeing these black and white sketches as you don’t see them much anymore. I liked this book for what it was and could see myself giving it to a child just discovering chapter books.
This was a really nice book where a girl, Minikin aka Minx, lives with a terrible witch as her “daughter” but is more like a house servant. She knows no love except brief moments of happiness where she glimpses a beautiful woman in the bureau’s mirror. Eventually, Minx decides she’s lonely and wants to go to school with the other children to learn and maybe make friends. The adults range from holding a prejudice against her since she’s a “witch’s child” to being friendly and wanting to help her. Minx is really unhappy and doesn’t want to be a “witch’s child” and is determined to live a life she wants even if she doesn’t know how to achieve it.
The story telling isn’t exactly perfect but it gets the job done. There were a couple situations that I found a bit clingy. A policeman intimidating a child was a bit weird to read about. The other was when Moonfire forces herself and Minx to move into Grandma’s home like this blasé request is supposed to be a personality trait. Think it would have been better if she said that she could only do magic in a house if she’s welcomed into it, which is why she has to surprise Grandma that way. I chalk this up to the book being from a different time period.
There are really nice illustrations throughout the book. It’s nice seeing these black and white sketches as you don’t see them much anymore. I liked this book for what it was and could see myself giving it to a child just discovering chapter books.
May 28, 2025
Packed full...
A little witch.
A big witch.
A centaur.
A naiad.
Pied Piper.
A fairy.
A nymph.
Elves galore.
And an anteater.
A little witch.
A big witch.
A centaur.
A naiad.
Pied Piper.
A fairy.
A nymph.
Elves galore.
And an anteater.
April 21, 2024
This is one of those books that I would have read over and over if I'd had access to it as a child. Pathos, adventure, hijinks, Romance, satire... it's got everything! And sweet illustrations to boot, though some of the children seem to be missing chins.... Anyway, I've read it twice in the last several years and certainly would be open to doing so again someday. I'll probably just read it on OpenLibrary next time though. Yes, recommended, and yes, I'd certainly consider something else by the author.
And for those of you who think it's bleak because the witch mother is so abusive,
---
Has been reissued, so when I saw it on the library shelf I grabbed it. Still wonderful.
And for those of you who think it's bleak because the witch mother is so abusive,
---
Has been reissued, so when I saw it on the library shelf I grabbed it. Still wonderful.
October 11, 2025
Little Witch (My Kindle Review)
First published in 1953, we follow the adventures of a little girl named Minx who is the daughter of feared witch Madam Snickadee. Despite her mother making her do experiments and brew stuff, Minx doesn’t want to be a witch and has some fun times with her schoolmates while other surprises occur.
Minx’s story is a simple but gentle and fun story that still has a whimsical feel. There certainly is some surprises for her at school and at home. It’s not like “Harry Potter” or “Percy Jackson”, but it’s a nice read for younger children as it definitely has a few similarities to Roald Dahl’s “Matilda” as it’s about finding friends, who you are and who really is your family. B+ (83%/Very Good)
First published in 1953, we follow the adventures of a little girl named Minx who is the daughter of feared witch Madam Snickadee. Despite her mother making her do experiments and brew stuff, Minx doesn’t want to be a witch and has some fun times with her schoolmates while other surprises occur.
Minx’s story is a simple but gentle and fun story that still has a whimsical feel. There certainly is some surprises for her at school and at home. It’s not like “Harry Potter” or “Percy Jackson”, but it’s a nice read for younger children as it definitely has a few similarities to Roald Dahl’s “Matilda” as it’s about finding friends, who you are and who really is your family. B+ (83%/Very Good)
August 4, 2019
A fun, vintage story about a little witch who doesn’t want to be the daughter of an evil witch. She sneaks away to school and makes some friends. Magical adventure follows, mostly the conjuring of mythical creatures. Little Witch is a quick and charming read.
“A nixie, poor ignorant girl child, is a sprite of the water.”
“A nixie, poor ignorant girl child, is a sprite of the water.”
October 26, 2021
I finally read this and found it somewhat of a disappointment. Maybe I simply expected too much (it's #7 in a School Library Journal poll of the top 100 children's novels) but I wasn't captivated. I didn't find myself caring overly much for the characters, and was rather bored with all the fantastical creatures that Minx conjured out of the cauldron. Overall, the tone just didn't work for me... I felt there was a bit too much nastiness and not enough fun -- not enough of the kind of magic that would make me dreamy and wish I was in the story. (Granted, the old witch IS supposed to be nasty and I do recommend previewing if you have sensitive youngsters, though all turns out well in the end there are .) The ending was sweet, in some ways, but in others I wished there hadn't been quite so much emphasis on BEAUTY (thank goodness there was the bit about the soup kitchen). Perhaps I just didn't read this in the right mood, perhaps I would have loved it more as a child. I know it is dearly loved by many and I'm glad it is back in print with the original illustrations. For vintage witchy children's books, I much preferred: The Little Leftover Witch, The Worst Witch and The Witch Family.
March 23, 2019
Nine-year-old Minikin, also known as Minx, was deeply unhappy with her life as a witch's child. She hated living in her dirty unkempt home, and feared her mother, the terrible Madam Snickasnee, who was known to turn young children into potted plants. Most of all, Minx longed to go to school, and to make friends her own age. When she sneaks out of the house one day, her decision to enroll herself in school involves her in a number of adventures, leading to friendship, and eventually, to her freedom from Madam Snickasnee and the granting of her heart's desire - a true family.
Having seen it recommended in a number of places - according to the blurb on the rear cover of this 60th Anniversary Edition, it was #7 in a School Library Journal poll of the top 100 children's novels - I was eager to pick Little Witch up, particularly given my 'witchy witches' project, in which I have been looking at the depiction of witches in picture and early chapter-books. Unfortunately, although it was moderately charming, I wasn't all that impressed. The story felt rather predictable - I simply couldn't work up much interest in the main character, and never felt involved in her trials and tribulations - and was written in such a way that I felt almost as if the author were giving a report of events, rather than really making them come alive for the reader. I did like the illustrations, which had a distinctly mid-20th-century charm, and were the most magical part of the book.
Having seen it recommended in a number of places - according to the blurb on the rear cover of this 60th Anniversary Edition, it was #7 in a School Library Journal poll of the top 100 children's novels - I was eager to pick Little Witch up, particularly given my 'witchy witches' project, in which I have been looking at the depiction of witches in picture and early chapter-books. Unfortunately, although it was moderately charming, I wasn't all that impressed. The story felt rather predictable - I simply couldn't work up much interest in the main character, and never felt involved in her trials and tribulations - and was written in such a way that I felt almost as if the author were giving a report of events, rather than really making them come alive for the reader. I did like the illustrations, which had a distinctly mid-20th-century charm, and were the most magical part of the book.
August 16, 2019
Little Minikin is a witch's child, and she hates her mean horrible witchy mother. She wishes she could go to school and make friends with other children, but her evil mother threatens to turn her into a flowerpot if she steps foot outside the dirty house. One day, Minikin decides to defy her mother and ventures out to school while the witch is sleeping, but all the school children are afraid of the witch's child. How can Minikin ever make friends?
What a sweet and charming story! I just love the old-fashioned writing style, and the fairy tale elements.
Minikin is so cute and resourceful. I wanted to give her a cookie and hug, poor thing.
I loved the magic and the various mythical creatures that pop into the story: centaurs, fairies, nymphs, and even the famed Pied Piper.
The plot is a funny mixture of fairy tale and innocent 1950's white-picket fence neighborhood. The characters are hilarious, and I loved all their funny quirks.
What a sweet and charming story! I just love the old-fashioned writing style, and the fairy tale elements.
Minikin is so cute and resourceful. I wanted to give her a cookie and hug, poor thing.
I loved the magic and the various mythical creatures that pop into the story: centaurs, fairies, nymphs, and even the famed Pied Piper.
The plot is a funny mixture of fairy tale and innocent 1950's white-picket fence neighborhood. The characters are hilarious, and I loved all their funny quirks.
July 10, 2015
The tale of independent Minikin, or "Minx," enchanted me as a first-grader when I dearly loved the hardcover edition in the Snail Lake Elementary library. Returning to it, I suppose it's as liberated as a 1940s cute-little-lady kid's novel can be. The fourth-grader Minx bravely steps away from the cruel world of witchery, longing for a conventional life; but she learns to embrace the upside of black magic. Her kind nature sways her community to support her flavor of witchcraft. By the end, the school principal and the town folk are clamboring for a ride on her broom.
Karl Ove Knausgaard, in Volume 3 of "My Struggle," mentions his memory of reading a novel called "The Little Witch" at the age of 8. He was deeply disturbed by the little girl's rebelliousness. I'm not sure if this was the same novel he read, but this is the "Little Witch" that so touched my young soul.
Karl Ove Knausgaard, in Volume 3 of "My Struggle," mentions his memory of reading a novel called "The Little Witch" at the age of 8. He was deeply disturbed by the little girl's rebelliousness. I'm not sure if this was the same novel he read, but this is the "Little Witch" that so touched my young soul.
October 20, 2018
Old classic - this is a reprint for the 60th Anniversary. The Amazon blurb says it's for those who like Percy Jackson or Harry Potter, but I don't think most will find them to be comparable. So, a fun re-read for those who remember this as a childhood favorite especially for Halloween. I may try it for a read aloud with the older GK's ages 8 and 11 - there are some difficult words and many old fashioned references -still a cute story. 4 stars
May 1, 2025
This is one of those books I remember with such clarity and fondness from my childhood. I can remember, some years ago (still years after I had actually read it), finding it again and reading it... And discovering that it's just as charming and agreeable a little book as it was when I was four or five. I think "darling" might be the only word to describe it.
November 1, 2015
This was one of my very favorite books as a child - I checked it out from the library multiple times a year. I was glad to have the chance to read it as an adult. Of course, it's not the same now - but I can see how it captured my imagination. I had many day-dreams about mixing different colors of potions :)
February 19, 2009
I drove my grade-school librarian nuts, because all I wanted were books about children who were witches. Actually, i just wanted about 40 more books like this one. I believe her name was Dory, which is still one of my favorite names ever since.
October 27, 2022
So many thoughts! Mainly about how much I love the names in this book. You will never hear a more perfect name for a witch than “Madam Snickasnee.” Also totally forgot about the anteater ending, and truly, how could I?
Everyone deserves a friend like Frances! And a parental figure like Grandma!! Man, I’d want to join this family too.
And now for my little personal memory rant that no one cares about:
This book is incredibly nostalgic for me- not necessarily reading it, though there were plenty of memories there, but the act of reading it/the physical copy of the book. When I was little, we had this oooold copy that I think was from my mom’s childhood, and I remember carrying it around all the time, pretending to read it before I actually knew how, and then reading it over and over once I learned. I remember so clearly the brown pages, how half of them were ripped or bent and the end pages were torn in two, and the lamination on the cover was peeling off, enough that I, as a little kid who didn’t yet fully appreciate the beauty of books, always made sure to be gentle with it. And as I started reading this new copy my mom gave me for Christmas a few years back, there was definitely something amiss. I knew it was the fact that the book itself was fundamentally different. I still enjoyed the story, but I miss the feeing of that little old hardcover copy. And I’m starting to think I know when my love of *owning* books began.
Everyone deserves a friend like Frances! And a parental figure like Grandma!! Man, I’d want to join this family too.
And now for my little personal memory rant that no one cares about:
This book is incredibly nostalgic for me- not necessarily reading it, though there were plenty of memories there, but the act of reading it/the physical copy of the book. When I was little, we had this oooold copy that I think was from my mom’s childhood, and I remember carrying it around all the time, pretending to read it before I actually knew how, and then reading it over and over once I learned. I remember so clearly the brown pages, how half of them were ripped or bent and the end pages were torn in two, and the lamination on the cover was peeling off, enough that I, as a little kid who didn’t yet fully appreciate the beauty of books, always made sure to be gentle with it. And as I started reading this new copy my mom gave me for Christmas a few years back, there was definitely something amiss. I knew it was the fact that the book itself was fundamentally different. I still enjoyed the story, but I miss the feeing of that little old hardcover copy. And I’m starting to think I know when my love of *owning* books began.
September 17, 2024
2024 EDIT: Okay, 'Little Witch', you've won me over again:
I love you. Despite how outdated and fifties you can be sometimes. And your ending is not so anti-witch (and pro-lazy beautiful fairies) as I remembered. You're just an adorable, sweet, funny, whimsical, humble, and endearing little children's novella that can be read in two hours. You've relaxed and cleared my mind, and cheered me up, put me under an ethereal, euphoric enchantment, in an afternoon on a day of very bad health, and for that I thank you.
I will keep you. Treasure you as the unique, rare, one-of-a-kind, classic little fantastical witch book that you are.
Read my original review below for more (really the only thing that's changed since I wrote it is my opinion of 'Akata Witch', 'The School for Good and Evil', and 'Harry Potter' at the end - scratch them).
Final Score: 3.5/5
Original Review:
I love you. Despite how outdated and fifties you can be sometimes. And your ending is not so anti-witch (and pro-lazy beautiful fairies) as I remembered. You're just an adorable, sweet, funny, whimsical, humble, and endearing little children's novella that can be read in two hours. You've relaxed and cleared my mind, and cheered me up, put me under an ethereal, euphoric enchantment, in an afternoon on a day of very bad health, and for that I thank you.
I will keep you. Treasure you as the unique, rare, one-of-a-kind, classic little fantastical witch book that you are.
Read my original review below for more (really the only thing that's changed since I wrote it is my opinion of 'Akata Witch', 'The School for Good and Evil', and 'Harry Potter' at the end - scratch them).
Final Score: 3.5/5
Original Review:
October 14, 2019
A lot of emphasis is given in this book to the horrible world Minx lives in: her filthy, slatternly, abusive witch mother who is violent and never allows her to wash, eat or have clean clothes. Not so much effort goes into the outside world: Mr Beanpot and Mrs Splutter are mere scribbles, and even Frances and her siblings are hardly there. With a little more balance and effort in world-building it could have been a good read, but as it is all the nice scenes are scamped over and there's too much gloom. Why are all the real-world adults so ridiculous, if that's the world Minx wants to inhabit? The "happy ending" is slapped on in a hurry, when some fun adventures could have been added.
Obviously written (even in 1953) by one of those authors who believe kids have such short attention spans it's not worth putting much into it. Those authors who never understand that kids will pore over books they love by the hour, if they can find one that's worth it, and read them again and again.
I had hoped to really enjoy this book but as it is, a shaky 2 stars. I see they've brought out an anniversary edition. I wonder why they bothered?
Obviously written (even in 1953) by one of those authors who believe kids have such short attention spans it's not worth putting much into it. Those authors who never understand that kids will pore over books they love by the hour, if they can find one that's worth it, and read them again and again.
I had hoped to really enjoy this book but as it is, a shaky 2 stars. I see they've brought out an anniversary edition. I wonder why they bothered?
January 28, 2012
I've read this short paperback book multiple times in my life (most of them during elementary school) and found it magical and delightful every time. The story of Minx (Minikin Snikasnee--the name itself shows you why it's a delightful little book!) as the reluctant witch's daughter who just wants to be a normal little girl and have normal friends probably resonates with the outcast inside all of us. As you see Minx use her ingenuity to live her most hopeful wish, you'll be charmed too. The pen and ink illustrations by Helen Stone are sweet--when I purchased the book I had to be sure the illustrations were the same as I remembered from my childhood experiences. Wonderful.
August 1, 2012
Like many other posters, I read and re-read this story many times as a child and have searched both brick and mortar and online book sellers in vain for this story. I was so pleased to read Melissa McCann's post about it being digitized and available at ePub. I downloaded it on my iPhone as soon as I read that post and imported it into Stanza. Reading it again last night, after so many years was like a reunion with a long lost friend. Thanks, Melissa! If you missed her post and are searching for this book, you can find it here: you can read it on your computer or import into an ereader device: http://www.epubbud.com/book.php?g=Q4A...
December 4, 2019
I reread this to my nieces and nephew this October while their parents were galavanting about London. It was as sweet and fun and magical for me now as it was when I was little. This book will always occupy a place in my heart. It may be the reason I invented the Witch Game to play with my nieces and nephews. What’s better than mixing up random ingredients to see what might pop out of your cauldron?
*Popsugar 2019 - a reread of a favorite
*Popsugar 2019 - a reread of a favorite
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