Dandelion and the Witch

by Olivia Snowe, Michelle Lamoreaux (Illustrations)

For fourteen years Dandelion has lived in a house with the witch she thinks is her mother, but when she shows signs of growing up the witch locks her in a tower in the woods--where a boy named Arthur hears her singing.

Genres: Fantasy, Retellings, Fairy Tales, Romance, Audiobook, Middle Grade

122 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2014

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are so many much better retellings of Rapunzel, even for young 'reluctant readers.' This had a bit more going on than The Glass Voice, but not enough to convince me to keep working through the series. Kids are going to be just as frustrated as I am at the abrupt ending that implies a future not suitable for kids age 14, and about the dropping off completely of the original parents despite them getting so many pages, and the weird art.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!! I couldn't stop reading it after discovering it. It took me two hours to read. I was able to relate to Dandelion throughout the whole story so it made the ending even more sad.
The picture at the very end of the book was so sad. Dandelion and Arthur were curled up next to each other, Dandelion playing her violin for Arthur.
This book was a suggestion from a good friend of mine and I'm so glad that I read it!! 👍

[Edith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tells that love can't be broken (gave me a nightmare) but otherwise it was great.

[Maya · Rating 2 out of 5]

short

[Evie]

Abrupt ending. Needs a sequel.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rapunzel is replaced with the more familiar weed dandelion, in this retelling of the popular fairy tale. Snowe’s version is remarkably similar to the original. Other than the change in the plant craved by the expecting mother, the most noticeable change is an update of the setting from old Europe to modern America. Like her cousin Rapunzel, a wicked witch steals Dandelion from her parents as punishment for their thievery, then eventually locks her away in a magical tower hidden in the forest. Dandelion’s prince is a junior high boy who likes to fish in the stream near the tower. Those whose fairy tale diet consists solely of animated versions may be surprised at the bittersweet ending of the fairy tale. Aimed at reluctant readers, the text is simple and direct. A larger font, plenty of white space, and grayscale illustrations with red accents further assist struggling readers. A brief source note gives a condensed version of the fairy tale Rapunzel, and lists the Brothers Grimm as the original source, while acknowledging a possible connection to an older, similar story in Persian. Also included is a writing prompt for creating an original fairy tale, which teachers may want to do as an extension to reading the story. Overall this is a serviceable, though unimaginative retelling of a favorite tale.

Book received from the Children's Literature Database for review.

[Gillian Dawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fell apart a little at the ending.

[Aliana Guzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book 😀