Witch Mama

Jenna & Mickey

by Judith Caseley

Halloween is here and Mickey is a little nervous. In this funny tale of the spookiest night of the year, Judith Casely proves she is right on target where children are concerned.

Genres: Picture Books, Halloween, Childrens, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1996

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Born on Halloween day, Jenna had always had an affinity for the holiday, as had her mother, dubbed "Witch Mama" after Jenna's birth. When her timid little brother Mickey experiences his first trick-or-treating, Jenna is there at every step to reassure him, just as she takes him in hand and makes him feel safe when they attend their school's Halloween party. The book closes as they experience their Witch Mama's 'Haunted Hallway...'

I'm not sure why I have never tracked down more titles from author/artist Judith Caseley, after enjoying her lovely Apple Pie and Onions a few years back, but I'm glad I finally picked up Witch Mama, after seeing it on a list of witchy picture-books. I saw some of the same qualities here - a loving, close-knit family circle; a heartwarming story about everyday people; vibrant artwork - that made that earlier book so appealing. I think that Jenna's gentle and repetitive reassurances, when Mickey is feeling scared, will do much to alleviate similar fears that young readers and listeners might have, drawing their attention to the fact that Halloween is make believe, and that these aren't real ghosts and monsters and witches being confronted. Recommended to anyone seeking reassuring Halloween picture-books, or sweet family stories.

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book. Big sister helps the little brother learn to enjoy the fun and fake scares of Halloween.

[Fatima · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little story but the real main character ends up being Mickey or at least it felt like it.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story of a family celebrating Halloween, and also a little girl named Jenna's birthday. Because her mother was wearing a witch costume the night she went into labor, Jenna called her mother, "Witch Mama." The story is fun and it's nice to see how Jenna looks out for her little brother Mickey. And the way that scary things are revealed to be the not-so scary after all. We enjoyed reading this story together.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pretty standard story, but it is told in a way that seemed especially sweet to me. And who wouldn't want a birthday on Halloween! There wasn't much racial diversity, but there was some, and the scary bits were moderated by the big sister who kept explaining that they were only in costume, which was a nice technique.