Witches

by Colin Hawkins, Jacqui Hawkins

Provides humorous tips on how to recognize a witch and discusses spells, cures, and witchcraft trivia.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Halloween, Witches

32 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1993

About the author

Colin Hawkins (1945) was born in Blackpool, England, and won a scholarship to art school at the age of thirteen. He and his wife, Jacqui Hawkins, produced their first children’s book, Witches, in 1981 and over one hundred titles have followed since then.

Reviews

[Abigail]

Colin and Jacqui Hawkins present this picture-book guide to witches, pairing an amusing text with detailed, deliciously creepy illustrations. Beginning with a description of a typical witch - a woman of great age, wrinkled face, furrowed brow, scolding tongue, and so on - the book encourages the reader to question whether their own granny might be one, offering a series of questions to help in determining the truth. Witches (and grannies) need lots of love, and the rest of the book is dedicated to various witchy topics - animal familiars, the witch's home, witchy hygiene habits, witchy fashion, witch cuisine, the witch's shopping schedule, magical gardening, spell-casting, magical cures, the social dynamics of witch society, broom-flying and other modes of witchy transportation, and Halloween fun - that will help the reader to understand them better. The book closes with some helpful witchy facts...

First published in 1981, Witches is one of a number of picture-book guides from this husband-and-wife team to explore the world of different fascinating figures, including Spooks , Monsters , Vampires and Pirates . I was drawn to it because witchy picture-books and early readers are a pet project of mine, and because I enjoyed the Hawkins' subsequent Wizzie Witch (1999), which also offers a catalogue/guide to the witchy lifestyle. It's a shame I didn't encounter this as a child - it was definitely around when I was a girl - because I suspect that I would have greatly enjoyed poring over it, looking at all of the humorous illustrations, appreciating all the little jokes that are included. The text itself is quite interesting, not just for its entertaining mixture of humor and witchy "facts," but because it ties the figure of the witch and the grandmother together, and makes the argument that, for the most part, witches were/are good. As the narrator says, "on the whole, witches have usually practiced their arts to good purpose," and are "warm, sincere human beings." High praise indeed! Recommended to all the little witches and witch-lovers out there, and to fans of the Hawkins' distinctive art style.

[Erika]

I’m quite convinced that my gramma is, in fact, a witch.

[Dodo]

I love this book not only out of nostaligia but for its art. It has scratchy hand-lettering and beautiful watercolor drawings which show us different aspects of a witch's life in an exposé style with humorous little comments throughout. I also love the other books by the Hawkins about vampires, monsters, ghosts, grannys etc. They were right up my alley. All of their books are quirky, funny and beautifully drawn. I just wish there was more information about the artists behind these books. I tried to find some interviews online but in vain.

[Gabriella]

- Is directed to the reader: questions, children can answer: interactive
- All about witches: ‘guidebook’, accompanied by pictures and annotations: dairy like
- Writing around pictures, so not all one style: makes it engaging
- Short paragraphs broke up: ‘chapters’, categories, so small sections can be read individually
- Plays on the fact that witches are old: sparks curiosity in children’s grandmas (as suggested)

[Dolly]

An interesting, often funny and very odd story about witches. It combines historical information with odd humor and comical illustrations. While it isn't specifically about Halloween, it's a good book to read at this time of year.

[Lucy Zheng]

This book is really funny.It is about a witch.

[Aine]

Cute. Fun.

[Donna Jean]

Illustrations are delightful! Everything you always wanted to know about witches told in a lighthearted interesting style. Fun to look at over and over again.

[Dodie]

This children’s book made me laugh. In using humor the book explores the stereotypes of what a witch is. Cute and humorous.

[Sophie Crane]

It's just Full of witchy humour.

[Netta]

Nostalginen ja hauska kuvakirja, joka kertoo noitien tuntomerkeistä.

[Erin]

I do not know if I read this book in grade 6; see other z-unknown books on witchcraft.

Edit 240706: Nope, it wasn't this book either, though it was cute!

[Caroline B]

My childhood favourite book about witches.