Witches Four

by Marc Brown

Four dancing witches who wear glasses and brush their teeth with spider paste discover that their hats, lost while they were flying upside down, have been made into houses by four homeless cats

Genres: Picture Books, Halloween, Childrens, Fiction, Holiday, Fantasy

48 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 1980

About the author

Marc Tolon Brown is perhaps best known for his series of children's books about Arthur the aardvark, which was turned into an animated television show on PBS. Brown is a three-time Emmy Award winner, for his role on the television show inspired by his books.

He lives on Martha's Vineyard and in New York City with his wife, Laurie Krasny Brown. He has three children, sons Tolon and Tucker, and daughter Eliza. The names of his two sons have been hidden in all of the Arthur books except for one: Arthur's Tooth.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

First published in 1980, this witchy picture-book from Marc Brown - creator of the immensely popular Arthur series, which I believe has also been turned into a television show - is told in rhyming verse, and accompanied by amusing and slightly off-kilter illustrations. When four witches lose their hats, while zooming around upside down on their brooms, four cats find them, and turn them into houses. But who will get to keep them, when the witches come to reclaim their lost property...?

I enjoyed Witches Four, which reminded me - both with its paper-over-board binding format, and with its illustrations - of some of the Weekly Reader books we used to get, when I was a little girl. It's odd, because although the style definitely had that late 1970s/early 1980s sensibility, something I generally don't care for (see my review of The Old Witch and the Ghost Parade ), it worked here. I wouldn't say this was anywhere near the strongest title I've seen, in my ongoing "witchy-witch" project, but it has definite appeal, and would make an excellent read-aloud. Recommended to all Marc Brown fans, and to those looking for gentler Halloween fare for younger children.

[Adrienne Blaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 1980 picture book was a favorite hand-me-down from my cousin! It still hits in 2025. If you love cats and witches, this is the picture book for you! The illustrations are comical and the verses are short and whimsical.

[BRNTerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very short full-color, fully illustrated rhyming picture book that's beyond cute. Four witches are flying upside down and their magic hats fall off. They search and find that four anthropomorphic cats are living in them. "It's raining houses!" said the cats. "How nice." They moved right in and dined on mice." The cat's won't give the hats back but the witches win in the end and the cats go with them.

[Faith Wareham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, like a few others I have read, haven't really had a central theme or message. One that could very loosely be taken away is the idea of friendship because these four witches do everything together and are very close, as do the cats appear that take their hats. I also noticed that the author decided to write this book with a rhyme pattern which is very common throughout children's books. I think that was a good choice for this story and I also think the illustrations make it very special.

[Dianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, charming, creative, and great rhythm. Highly recommended, especially for fans of witches and/or cats.

[Rebekah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story

[Anna Schatzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Really funny that the cats get the house and the witch is like Hey that’s my hat!”
Reviewed by 6 year old, Lilliana

[Lara Belanger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was one if my favorites as a kid! My son enjoyed it too!

[Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was her favorite book today. Great for littles, counting and beginning foreshadowing.

[Renee Burr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I added this book because, for whatever reason, this was my absolute favorite book when I was growing up. It is incredibly hard to find, and isn't even in production anymore! This is the story of four witches who lose their hats. Four cats go on an adventure while they are wearing the witches hats. I loved this book I think because it rhymes: "no time to stop for octopus stew!" I wouldn't use this book to teach a lesson in the classroom. But I think it's important to share my love of reading with my students and sharing my connection and love for the story in particular will show students that sometimes it's okay to just read because we want to!

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Our school started a free little library a couple months ago. I am not certain who spearheaded the effort, but it's going well. We ran out of books at one point. Today, the bin was full. I even added a book (Little House on the Prairie).

I borrowed this book. Brown is the author of Arthur. I thought I would like this. Eh . . .

Four witches lost their hats. They ended up being hats for cats. The cats did not want to give them up, but the witches, through their magic, settled that.

This is a book appropriate for preschool or Kindergarten students.

I did like one image in the book. Other than that, I would skip this book next time.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This could be my all time favorite children's book, and definitely best Halloween book. I am a sucker for rhyming kids books and this one is just so charming...."They brush their teeth with spider paste, they eat bat-wing sandwiches they like the taste." The book is pleasantly short and simple, such that it's the only thing I've memorized since high school. My kids love that I can recite the book while we drive to school.

[Terry]

This silly book entertained this parent. Even the ending was a surprise. Read the review at the Reading Tub.

[Peggy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my son's (and mine) all-time favorite Halloween books. Well, it's not really about Halloween, it just has witches in it so we like to read it around Halloween. The rhyming is good, the story is good and the pictures are fabulous!

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The images in this kind of creeped me out when I was little, but they were still interesting. Good story, as well.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Four witches lose their hats, which are then found by four cats.

[Ellen Brandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fun, easy reader by Marc Brown (pre-Arthur).

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interest Level Grades K - 2
Genre: Fiction, Halloween
Themes: Magic, Witches, Animals
Uses: Casual reading for comprehension

[Anj · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a favorite of mine when I was growing up. Now my daughter almost has it memorized. I'm a little overprotective of this book because I'm pretty sure it is out of print now.

[Wanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: Four witches discover their lost magic hats have been found by four homeless cats and turned into houses.

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kinda dumb little story but it has little witch things that I think kids will like -- frog eye soap or something like that.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book when I was first learning to read. Cute and fun.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun revisit to my childhood. I read this one before putting it up with the Halloween decorations. Cute illustrations, fun rhymes.