Zoom Broom

Gritch the Witch #2

by Margie Palatini, Howard Fine (Illustrator)

the sequel to Piggie Pie.

Genres: Picture Books, Halloween, Childrens, Humor, Witches, Animals, Fantasy

29 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Mariah Roze · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute.

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gritch the Witch goes broom shopping. If anything else happened, I've already forgotten about it.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gritch the Witch, whose first hilarious misadventure was chronicled in Piggie Pie! , returns in Zoom Broom, hungry once again! When her batscotti and eek!spresso fail to satisfy, our witchy (non)heroine decides that nothing but Bunny Bread - made with nice furry little rabbits - will do. Unfortunately (or not, as the case may be), Gritch's broom malfunctions on her way to the Farmer in the Dell's, sending her nose-diving to earth. Determined to get where she wants to go, she sets out to buy a new broom at Foxy's, only to find herself stymied by a series of hilarious misunderstandings...

Margie Palatini's trademark sense of humor, more than a little sharp, and absolutely delightful, is very much in evidence here, as is her revisionist take on traditional (and popular) tales. I particularly enjoyed the little tributes to various well known witches, as seen in Gritch's address book (Bea Witch, living in Darrin, CT, for instance), and the giggle-inducing exchanges between witch and fox, with the clever use of the Witch 1 broom (that's what I said, Gritch exclaims in exasperation at one point, I want to know which one!!). Howard Fine's colorfully intense illustrations are as well-suited to this tale, as they were to its predecessor, really emphasizing the frantic fun. All in all, Zoom Broom is a worthy sequel, one that all Margie Palatini fans - as well as any reader who enjoyed Piggie Pie! - will want to take a look at!

[Kimberly Krey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may like Piggie Pie a bit more than this one, but I still think this one is an excellent read! Lots of fun, and great to see Gritch and the Wolf once more!

[Jude · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel for the fox. He is merely trying to make a living selling rides, but he has to endure bitchy witches who want to wear him as a stole.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's totally fine if you give it five stars. It was just too over the top wacky for me, unfortunately.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional weaving of iconic lines from music, literature, and screen to create a delightful children's picture books that will give adults bales of laughter, too.

[Ronda · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the kids enjoyed this one, it was not one of my favorites. Might, perhaps have enjoyed it more if I had read the 1st book. May have to do just that, then revisit this one.

[Ashlyn Littlefield · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book because of the illustrations and the sound effects. They added an amazing touch to the story line, and is great for kids to read!

[Rebecca Ainscow · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUCH great vocabulary in here - good for word sorts. Fun read aloud.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is TBE sequel to Piggie pie. My students loved it. Gritch the witch is in need of transportation and knows just where to go. It offers the great play on words.

[Igor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like the vocabulary and context.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of Gritch and her alliteration filled adventures. It is time for a new broom for grumpy old Gritch! This time she won't be tricked by pigs in disguise, but she will need to deal with one crafty broom selling fox. So fun!

I had no idea Piggie Pie had a sequel until I shared it with my summer school boys and they went nuts. I did a little research and found Zoom Broom and Broom Mates. Of courseZoo. broom was not in print anymore, so I found it at ABEbooks and bought it. The boys have been anticipating its delivery with such excitement. It's not everyday that you can say your reading camp below grade level readers are clambering for a picture book. I love that they are so excited.

[Jacqueline]

great book for kids!!!
I read it to the kids I babysat, and actually threw in a little scruffy voice for the fun of it. The kids told their parents, they didn't read it right because their voice was wrong!!!
I loved it...I actually bought it for my house, and now share it with my niece and nephews. Who love it!

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost better than the first! ("Piggie Pie" that is...). Again, zippy alliteration and fun language from Ms. Palatini, all wrapped up in a clever, fun-for-the-whole-family story. A good one for the family library!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is par for the course for sequels...Not as good as the first, but it definitely satisfies your craving for more Gritch the Witch! Gritch has some hilarious dealings with a broom salesman who is very Big Bad Wolfish...too cute and highly recommended along with Piggie Pie.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A play on the words "which" and "witch" takes a humorous turn as a fast talking salesman (fox) tries to sell Gritch the witch a new broom. The sales pitch is full of fast talking rhyme and alliteration.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

The witch from Piggie Pie is back, and she's hungry. Off she goes to get her fill when her broom poops out. She tries to decide where to go to get another broom and finally decides to go to Foxy's lot to get another broom or possibly some other form of transportation.

[Katy Houseman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sequel to the book, "Piggie Pie". THe witch is hungry again, but this time she has a problem. Her broom broke. So, now instead of looking for somethingto eat she has to look for a new broom. But, what does she end up wih in the end...

[H. Givens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the writing, very clever "modern fairy tale" tone with lots of wordplay and puns and funny characters. Unfortunately the story just sort of ends. It feels like there should be a big pun at the end or a callback to the beginning some other bit of something, but nope...

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is great too! I still love piggie pie better, but the broom selling wolf was great!

[babyhippoface · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as Piggie Pie, but Gritch is still good for a laugh.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as much fun as Palatini's superlative "Piggie Pie" but still an amusing kids' book.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

a must read aloud over and over again

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun idea, but a little hectic and scattered for my liking.

[Wyatt · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book was ok.

[Ashanti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like that book because Grinch the Winch broke her broom so she went to the store to get anouthor one and the silly ownoer wanted to J O K E around when she needed a broom.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I likes this just as much as I liked Piggie Pie. There's one part that adults may get (the cleverness of it) better than my young daughters (4 & 5).

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book for the upper elementary school children.

[Todd Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sequel to Piggie Pie, Gritch returns looking for a new broom. Very funny stuff. Older kids get the humor better but younger kids still enjoy it too.