Witch for a Week

Elsie Pickles #1

by Kaye Umansky, Ashley King (Illustrator)

'A Bewitching tale, charmingly told and is certain to delight any witch in the making' M.G, Leonard, award-winning author of Beetle Boy  'A gorgeous story that bubbles with charm, wit and magic' Abi Elphinstone, author of The Dreamsnatcher 'Bursting with memorable characters, a huge sense of fun and a big dollop of honey, flowers and strawberry-scented magic!' Joe Berger, author of Lyttle Lies and Hubble Bubble 'A sulky raven, a grubby dog and a common-sense heroine with a strong sense of customer service. This is a funny, magical treat!' Holly Webb, author of Lost in the Snow When Elsie Pickles offers to house-sit the mysterious home of local witch Magenta Sharp, she has no idea what she's getting herself into. Left with a talking raven and a scruffy dog for company, a magical tower that has a mind of its own and a book of instruction called Everything You Need to Know, what could possibly go wrong? With an assortment of weird and wonderful neighbours banging at the door and a box of volatile magical ingredients that must be used immediately, Elsie finds out that looking after Magenta's home might not be as easy as she first thought ... does she have what it takes to be a witch for a week or will it all end in a magical disaster?  A new magical adventure from Kaye Umansky, the bestselling author of the spellbinding children's classic Pongwiffy, brought to life with charming illustrations from rising star Ashley King!

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Childrens, Witches, Halloween, Audiobook

127 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 5, 2017

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved the beginning! The writing style is so charming and felt so cozy and welcoming. I would have loved imagining an adventure like Elsie's when I was her age -- what fun to house sit for a nice witch who happens to have decorated a room in your favorite style with a wardrobe stocked with pretty dresses in your favorite color and a whole big wonderful library of books to enjoy--when her crow wasn't distracting you with his acerbic comments. And, yes, how tempting to learn the Three Little Spells and I loved that Elise was able to do something grand with the spells that originally seemed so little. It went off track for me once we started getting to the maiden next door who was smitten with the doltish woodsman simply because he had gorgeous hair. It was a bit of a yawn and ended up being a main plot point -- the love potion was so boring compared to all the other amazing things Elsie could have been learning! So, five stars for the start of the book but only three stars for the rest, though the final chapter did make me happy.

[✦BookishlyRichie✦ · Rating 4 out of 5]

***3.5 STARS!***

Such a fun, whimsical, hilarious, and quick read! Corbet was my favorite. :)

[Esther · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun, lighthearted and sweet book to read! I loved Elsie and her positivity.

The drawings really made the story magical and it all came to life for me, because of them.

This was a quick read for me, I finished it within 1 sitting and I think it took me 1.5 hours in total. Definitely a great book for younger, older and adult readers! Will continue this series and I'm already looking forward to book 2.

[Milly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I literally was sitting on my beanbag listening to espresso and then i saw this book on my shelf and remembered how much i loved it as a kid. This is the only book i have read 3 times and like all in the same year back in like 2018 gosh i loved it- who cares about the second book when you have this also I didn’t realise there are three others in the series😅😅 anyway it was nostalgic and the front cover is so fire

[Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genoten!!!!! 🧙🏻‍♀️🧙🏻‍♀️🧙🏻‍♀️🧙🏻‍♀️🧙🏻‍♀️

[Michelle Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this gorgeous, sweet, funny book. It has wonderful characters, plenty of humour and is charmingly illustrated throughout. Elsie Pickles is a likeable, no nonsense girl (with excellent customer service to boot)! It's so much fun, and I'm looking forward to the next one.

[Luna's Little Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever so often something from my unsolicited-gifted-by-publisher-TBR-pile will call out to me and despite my other TBR-piles “technically” having priority. It somehow ends up in my hands when I hadn’t really planned on reading said book… Witch for a Week was exactly that book. I received it as a surprise and put it to one side but it looked so cute and I really wanted something cute to read so I ended up sitting down and turning the first page.

A couple of hours later the book was read and I was happy.

Witch for a Week, much like the recipe in the book (this will make sense when you read it) has all the sweet ingredients you could want; a delightful story with a lovely main character, a talking crow, magical mishaps and to top up charming illustrations.

I’m already looking forward to the next book.

[Sonja Lovinbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Das Cover von “Elsa, Hexenlehrling” finde ich schon total süß und es lässt auf eine tolle Geschichte für Kinder hoffen.

Und das ist es auch. Elsa soll auf das Haus der Hexe Magenta Zack aufpassen und natürlich macht sie das gerne. Immerhin bekommt man nicht jeden Tag die Gelegenheit auf ein Hexenhaus aufzupassen. Und natürlich ergreift Elsa dann gleich auch die Gelegenheit sich selber am zaubern zu versuchen. Denn schließlich liegt das Zauberbuch da ja so einfach rum. Dabei passieren so einige witzige Dinge.

Das Buch ist für Kinder ab 9 Jahren und ich finde das sehr angemessen. Der Schreibstil ist demnach sehr einfach gehalten und locker und süß. Ich mochte das echt gerne. Aufgepeppt wird das ganze noch durch tolle Illustrationen und ich finde so haben die Kinder in dem Alter immer mal noch kleine Pausen, um sich diese anschauen zu können.

Ich finde “Elsa, Hexenlehrling” ist ein gelungener Auftakt zu einer tollen Kinderreihe. Freundschaft, Spannung und viel Magie. Was will Kind mehr?!


Ich mochte Elsa total gerne und ich glaube, dass das pfiffige Mädel hier regen Anklang bei Gleichaltrigen finden wird. Aber auch jüngere Kinder können sich diese tolle Geschichte vorlesen lassen.

5 von 5 Punkten

[Karschtl · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 Sterne

Elsa wird als Hexenhaus-Sitter engagiert und lernt in dieser Woche allerlei skurrile Gestalten kennen. Zudem probiert sie sich an ein paar einfachen Zaubertricks und fabriziert einen Liebestrank. Dieser Handlungsstrang um den selbstverliebten Holzfäller Hans und die verknallte Sylphine, der ja doch einen erheblichen Anteil an der Geschichte hatte, fand ich nur mäßig interessant. Meine Jungs konnten damit nicht viel anfangen - aber das Buch richtet sich ja vorwiegend auch an Mädchen. Nur glaube ich, dass selbst diese in der angepeilten Altersgruppe andere Abenteuer bevorzugen würden.

Das Ende der 'Woche voller Magie' kommt recht abrupt. Ich halte dem Buch zugute, dass es ja ein Teil einer Serie ist und die Geschichte somit noch fortgesetzt wird. Zahlreiche Charaktere kennen wir ja nun schon, da bietet sich einiger Stoff für weitere Geschichten an! Aber auch über Elsas Familie und ihre drei Brüder lohnt es sich sicherlich, mehr zu erfahren!

Schöne Illustrationen, oft ganzseitig und über das Buch verteilt, werten dieses magische Abenteuer auf.

[Isa (Pages Full of Stars) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely fantastic. For a children's book, I give it big 4,5 stars! It's definitely one of those books that I wish were written when I was a kid, as I would've absolutely loved it back then.

It's full of magic, charm and humour. I adore the little town setting, the characters and the whole story. My favourite elements were definitely the magical tower (I want one too! :D), Corbett the raven and the whole cast of quirky characters. This book was super fun to read and I think it will definitely appeal to the younger readers who love Harry Potter (or anyone who loves a magical read!).

I'm excited to pick up the other books in the series, whenever I need something light to read :)


For more bookish goodies, check out my Instagram, Tumblr, Twitter and Pinterest ★

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exactly what I needed to get me into the Halloween mood 👻

The story was absolutely adorable and I loved how quirky the characters were, especially Elsie.

Plus, the whole idea to babysit a witch's house sounds so much fun! I'd love to do that if it was possible.

[OjoAusana · Rating 5 out of 5]

omfg how freaking cute!!!!!!!!!! I really love middle grade books and I LOVE middle grade books to do with magic! I love the characters, like almost all of them, so much! and the story is too cute! im so happy I found out this is a series :o (also thanks scribd for the free trial its AWESOME)

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful, magical book with a fabulous main character who will definitely be a witch one day (and not just for a week).

This was just a book I had to try out when one of my library's added it to its collection. I have to say I was first and foremost pulled in by the art. I just adore Ashley King's art, and this one seemed to be full of them. But after reading this one, I have to say the story and the characters also captured me.

Meet Elsie Pickles, she lives in a tiny village and her life is pretty OK. Sure, it could be better especially since business for her family's shop isn't doing well, she has to share a tiny space with three brothers. But she is in for a lucky break when the local witch needs someone to babysit her house. Elsie is intrigued, especially when she hears about the rewards. The blue shoes she so desperately wants and a ton of gold (which will make her family happy). Plus she can read all she want (there are tons of books at the witch's house) and she will have no one who will bother her.
I just adored Elsie, and I loved her even more when she started to watch the house and all the things she did there. She was just so smart and grown-up. I loved how she applied the rules for customer service to everything that happened and how she handled people. :P
Plus then there was the whole learning magic part. Yep, as the cover already shows this girl is going to try out magic. Sure, she is hesitant at first about it, but quickly finds out it is quite fun and there are lots of interesting spells (my favourite is the tea in a cup one).

Corbett, it took me a bit to get used to him and his attitude, but eventually I saw he was just a big softie and quite nice. He became one of my favourite characters.

I am not sure how I feel about Aggie, no I am not going to be calling her by her special name. She was just quite annoying and kept whining and crying. Really, girl. The boy is just not interested in you, only in his precious shiny hair. Plus come on, the things she tried were just weird and slightly eh. I also didn't like how she pushed Elsie to make a love potion for her, but then didn't dare to do anything with it.

The Howler Sisters... well, we don't see them a lot, though we do hear that they steal stuff (for no reason) and don't get the hint that they should stay away.

We don't see a lot of the witch (duh as she is on a trip to her sister), but when we see her I do like her, even if she is a bit grumpy. :P She means well and I love how she was with Elsie. I hope that she will be able to learn Elsie even more magic in the next book.

Oh, and let's not forget Nuisance, who, despite his name, wasn't not such a big nuisance at all. In fact he was adorable and sweet and protective.

I just loved reading about Elsie's week in the tower and all the things she experienced. It was sure a week she won't forget.

And of course the art was just fabulous. I just loved the characters design, the potions, the spells. It was all drawn very fun and magically.

All in all, I can't wait for the next book to be released, I will be buying it this time (just like I will be adding this book to my collection).

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Jannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5
Aimed at 5-8 years I think, though readable by older. Very cute and engaging with lovely illustrations. Elsie is a capable sweet protagonist.
However it was just too..cute? Missing that Kaye Umansky humor that makes me snort and giggle.. I think maybe because it was aimed at a younger audience than usual..

[Katy Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly magical chapter book for fans of The Worst Witch

For those not old enough for Harry Potter, fans of magical tales, here's a great choice - Elsie, part of a noisy family, working in their shop, meets a local witch. Her customer service skills impress the witch, who offers her employment as a housesitter while she goes away for a week.

Elsie takes up the offer, hoping for quiet time for reading and maybe even learning a little magic. But a talking cat, a lovelorn neighbour, some local half-animal thieves and a hair-mad woodcutter all seem to take up a lot of her time. Can a few spells she's read help them all out?

A fun little read, short chapters and some memorable characters, a wonderful magical context and plot. Could make a great series for readers aged 6-10.

[Suzanne Bhargava · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightfully funny and sweet book about a little girl who house-sits for a witch. Featuring: a grumpy raven, a loyal dog, a vain woodcutter, kleptomaniac weregrannies, a love potion, an endless supply of cake, and a storm in a teacup.

Really good fun.

[Adriana Moretti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un simpatico racconto scritto in modo accattivante e coinvolgente. Mi sono proprio divertita a leggerlo .

[Marisa Vestita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gradevole

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5*

[Triskel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un chouette roman illustré en noir et blanc, tout en humour britannique et en douceur ! Parfait pour les 8/10 ans qui veulent un peu de magie, d'animaux et lire en solo.

Mention spéciale pour la chanson des bûcherons ! \o/

[Seli Ombre Angeliche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spesso sono così concentrata a impormi delle letture - vuoi perché si tratta di un omaggio da recensire o di un titolo che per motivi vari ha la precedenza su altri - che mi dimentico quanto sia bello entrare in libreria e lasciarsi guidare solo dall'istinto. Ed è un peccato, perché in genere è così che finisco per comprare i romanzi migliori, quelli che una volta finiti mi rimangono davvero nel cuore. Con Sette giorni da strega è andata proprio così, l'ho visto sullo scaffale e mi sono immediatamente innamorata della copertina, sarà che quello sfondo turchese mi piace da impazzire o che semplicemente quando si parla di streghette e di magia non resisto proprio, fatto sta che il libro è venuto a casa con me e, complice il numero di pagine, che non sono moltissime, l'ho iniziato subito. La maggior parte delle volte che compro un romanzo purtroppo mi vedo costretta a lasciarlo sul comodino per mesi prima di poterlo leggere, ma a volte non resisto e quando succede ho la certezza di trovarmi davanti ad un bel titolo. Sette giorni da strega ovviamente è un libro per bambini, e fa parte della collana "Il Battello a Vapore" nella serie azzurra, quindi l'età di lettura consigliata è indicativamente dai 7 anni in su, ed era davvero da un sacco di tempo che un titolo pensato per un target così giovane non mi prendeva tanto. Ripeto, sarà che se si parla di incantesimi sono di parte, ma mi sono davvero divertita molto a leggerlo e, nonostante lo avessi iniziato insieme a Tristan, ho finito col divorarmelo da sola perché le poche pagine lette con lui alla sera non mi bastavano proprio. Intanto ho adorato alla follia le illustrazioni Ashley King che arricchiscono le pagine, sono semplicemente magiche e adorabili, perfette per accompagnare Elsa nella sua avventura fatta di buffi personaggi e pozioni magiche. La trama naturalmente è molto semplice, ma uno dei pregi del romanzo è proprio quello di essere scritto bene e di offrire ai piccoli lettori una storia lineare, ma coinvolgente.

Tre cose da tenere a mente quando si tratta di magia:
leggi le istruzioni, segui la ricetta e poi... be', falla funzionare!

In genere quando mi trovo a leggere libri per bambini, adesso che sono adulta, ho notato che è possibile quasi sempre dividerli in due gruppi: quelli che avremmo apprezzato se li avessimo letti da piccoli, ma che da grandi difficilmente ci trasmettono davvero qualcosa, e quelli che invece riescono a risvegliare il bambino che è in noi e a trascinarci in un mondo in cui bene e male sono ben distinguibili, i principi possono essere trasformati in ranocchi e i draghi qualche volta si rivelano ottimi amici. Sette giorni da strega fa sicuramente parte del secondo gruppo, mi ha ricordato la sensazione che provo quando leggo i romanzi di Roald Dahl, Astrid Lindgren e Bianca Pitzorno. Sono storie semplici, ma che riescono ad arrivare al cuore del lettore a qualsiasi età. Su di me questa prima avventura di Elsa e della misteriosa strega Magenta Sharp ha avuto lo stesso effetto! Per qualche ora mi sono ritrovata avvolta dalle parole semplici, divertenti e magiche dell'autrice, e ho desiderato davvero entrare nel libro insieme ai protagonisti - una ragazzina con un talento inaspettato per gli incantesimi, una vecchia torre magica e un corvo parlante - per godermi un po' di avventura. Personalmente oltre ad essermi piaciuto l'ho trovato scritto molto bene, e se i seguiti non dovessero essere tradotti - cosa che però spero con tutto il cuore! - proverò a recuperarli in inglese. Nel caso voleste leggerlo o regalarlo a figli o nipoti comunque sappiate che questa prima avventura di Elsa può essere anche letta tranquillamente così com'è, la storia ha un suo finale, non rimane in sospeso nulla. Ve lo consiglio? Assolutamente sì! Tenendo conto del target, naturalmente. Come sapete io ho una grande passione per la letteratura per l'infanzia e questo è uno dei titoli più validi che mi è capitato di leggere negli ultimi anni per la fascia d'età 6 - 10 anni, ma è logico che se i libri per bambini non vi interessano non è una storia che fa per voi. Io ne regalerò sicuramente una copia alle mie nipoti, se avete in casa bambini potrebbe essere un testo perfetto da leggere insieme e sono sicura che qualche risata la strapperà anche a voi!

[Carmen Vicari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elsa lebt in dem kleinen Dorf Kleinbrück. Eigentlich passiert hier nicht wirklich viel. Man kennt sich und wenn man, wie ihre Eltern einen Laden hat, ist man auch immer über alles, was doch so geschieht im Bilde. Leider läuft der Laden nicht sonderlich gut und daher ist das Angebot der Hexe Magenta Zack natürlich verlockend. Für 21 Goldstücke soll Elsa auf deren Haus, einen Turm, Acht geben.

Natürlich kann Elsa der Versuchung nicht widerstehen und greift selbst zum Hexenbuch und versucht zu zaubern…

Das Buch ist in einer recht einfachen Sprache gehalten, auch wenn es manch schwierigere Wort beinhaltet. Der Satzbau ist kindgerecht und der Text wird mit vielen Illustrationen ergänzt. Manchmal wirkte der Schreibstil etwas arg konstruiert, die Handlung ist einfach, aber die Spannung bleibt bisweilen ein wenig auf der Strecke. Doch meiner Tochter (7) gefällt es recht gut. Der große Druck, verbunden mit den Illustrationen und der einfachen Sprache machten es ihr leicht, in dem Buch zu lesen.

Da das Buch den ersten Teil einer Elsa-Reihe darstellen soll, sind wir gespannt, wann es wie weiter gehen wird.

Fazit:
Ein ausbaufähiger Auftakt zu einer neuen magischen Reihe.

[Rowena ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novela infantil de fantasía con mucha magia +9 años
Preciosa historia, recuerda a “Nicky, la aprendiz de bruja”, personajes tiernos, animales que hablan asociados a la magia de la bruja, en este caso un cuervo, Corpus, no hay gatos, pero hay un pequeño perro guardián, Fastidio, que protege a todos con mucho genio. Personajes simpáticos, adorables y otros cómicos y situaciones divertidas, todo ello rodeado de mucha magia, una torre mágica, un libro de instrucciones, libros de hechizo, pociones de amor , etc.
Libro corto y entretenido, de lenguaje sencillo y siempre están pasando cosas y quieres saber qué pasará en el siguiente capítulo.
Tiene bastantes ilustraciones en tono azul, de página entera, de media y detalles que ilustran a todos los,personajes y las situaciones que están pasando perfectamente.

[Jayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The best book I've ever read".

[Zyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magia, amistad y aventuras.

Una lectura super entretenida y muy recomendable.

[Andrew Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my second Kaye Umansky review, and in contrast to her EYFS/KS1 picture book 'I Don't Like Gloria', 'Witch for a Week' is a chunkier 180-page chapter book more suited to CLPE-scale moderately fluent or fluent LKS2 readers able to take on texts like this as independent reading. Elsie Pickles leads a boring life helping in her dad's Emporium selling odds and ends to the occasional customer in the dull town of Smallbridge, until Magenta Sharp literally blows in and gives her a commission she cannot refuse (even though she wants t)! Magenta is a witch living in a nearby forest, and Elsie needs to house-sit (or more appropriately tower-sit) her home whilst she's away for the week. Managing the commitments of running the tower, getting on the right side of Magenta's pet raven Corbett - and keeping the strange and somewhat eccentrically demanding neighbours at bay - provides a week full of adventure for Elsie, and puts her customer service skills of diplomacy and people management truly to the test. This is a light-hearted adventure which will keep magic-loving Harry Potter or Worst Witch fans hugely entertained: spells concocted and cast provide opportunities to link cross-curricularly with cooking and crafting (D&T), the environment and weather (Geography) and wild animals (Science), whilst PSHE subjects surrounding respect, listening and empathy are readily identified in Elsie's dad's 'Rules of Customer Service' which she repeatedly employs to good effect throughout the book. Perhaps the story lacks any true antagonist - Elsie never really feels under threat from anyone - and some of the characters are rather two-dimensional and seem obsessive about a single subject; but maybe that partially reflects the reduced inferential potential of younger LKS2 readers - although of course teachers could ask children to analyse or develop any of Umansky's characters considerably further in their own independent ways. Male and female characters seem to conform to stereotypes (e.g. sobbing Sylphine besotted with muscle-bound Hank), and compared to Potter or Mildred Hubble, everything seems to fall into Elsie's lap rather easily, which perhaps also sets a precedent at odds with building children's growth mindset: however there are so many subsequent books at UKS2 focussed on battling the odds ('Wonder', 'Katy', 'Holes', 'There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom', 'Welcome to Nowhere', 'Running on Empty' just taken from my own reviews!) that perhaps I'm being unfair on Umansky's intentions. Either way, 'Witch for a Week' will delight readers with a concoction of lively but positive high-jinx, and would certainly persuade a reader gaining their own independence to dash to the shelf for another book once they reach the end.

[Lizzie Huxley-Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of my favourite stories come from the chapter books range, often known as 5-7 years in most bookstores. They’re so often silly and full of heart. I noticed as a bookseller the prominence of witchy books in this section – I had both The Worst Witch books by Jill Murphy and Pongwiffy by Kaye Umansky as a child, and while working Sibeal Pounder’s Witch Wars series was gaining traction. The latest in this trend is the first in a new series from Pongwiffy author Kaye Umansky.

Witch for a Week is the story of Elsie Pickles who, after a chance encounter in her father’s shop, agrees to become a house-sitter for the magical home of local witch Magenta Sharp. Together with Nuisance the local stray and Corbett the curmudgeonly raven, Elsie must contend with a series of strange visitors and a mysterious package filled with love potion ingredients. Luckily, it appears that Elsie has a gift for magic, along with her knowledge of the Top Ten Rules of Customer Service.

The illustrations by Ashley King are whimsical and brimming with character. I particularly love the depictions of the Howler Twins — I initially received an unillustrated proof copy and only after I finished the book did I come across the illustrations, which are spot on!

Witch for a Week is a charming and very fun story about rising to challenges, capability and kindness. As the first book in a new series, children will be able to follow Elsie’s adventures exploring magic – with a new book due out in May 2018. And if your budding witch needs something to occupy them in the meantime, Umansky’s wonderful series Pongwiffy is being re-published, with the first book containing two stories out now.

What to read next:
Sam Wu is NOT Afraid of Ghosts by Katie Webber and Kevin Tsang
Witch Wars by Sibeal Pounder
Sophie’s Adventures by Dick King Smith

[Cheyenne Groen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heksen zijn al eeuwen een bron van inspiratie voor verhalen. Bij het zien van de cover van Heksenweek denk je daar waarschijnlijk niet aan. In dit boek komen ook geen heksen voor die voldoen aan het beeld dat kinderen vaak van hun hebben: punthoed, zwarte kat en een bezem. De heks in dit verhaal lacht zelfs niet kakelend, heeft geen enkele wrat en draagt schreeuwerige rode kleren.

Heksenweek roept al snel de sfeer op van bekende sprookjes. Er zitten namelijk veel elementen in het boek die typerend zijn voor dit genre. Het is bijvoorbeeld niet geheel toevallig dat Elsie drie betoveringen leert, want het getal drie komt vaak voor in sprookjes. Toch is Heksenweek zeker geen traditioneel sprookje. Dit boek kun je eerder lezen als een soort parodie op het genre. Om te beginnen wordt er vaak een humoristische draai gegeven aan bekende sprookjes. Neem bijvoorbeeld de twee oude omaatjes, Evie en Ada, die staarten blijken te hebben. Dit riep bij mij meteen een associatie op met Roodkapje. Umansky gaat met dit sprookje aan de haal door wolfachtige figuren van hen te maken. Ze zijn duidelijk geen slachtoffers!

De tekst wordt regelmatig afgewisseld met illustraties van Ashley King. King heeft een vrij opvallende illustratiestijl; zijn tekeningen zijn behoorlijk plat, wat alles een vreemd perspectief geeft. Hoewel deze eigenzinnige stijl goed aansluit bij de sfeer van het verhaal, komen de tekeningen nogal cartoonesk over en dit sprak mij persoonlijk niet zo aan. Bovendien zijn de illustraties vrij statisch; wanneer er iets verandert in de tekst blijven de tekeningen hetzelfde. Neem bijvoorbeeld Lastpak. Hij wordt precies hetzelfde getekend voor en na zijn bad, terwijl we in de tekst lezen dat hij na de wasbeurt ineens ‘een behoorlijk knappe hond’ blijkt te zijn.
Heksenweek is een boek over heksen, maar met het griezelgehalte valt het behoorlijk mee. Magenta Spits is geen enge heks en ook het woud waar ze woont is helemaal niet zo angstaanjagend als de dorpelingen denken. Umansky schreef vooral een vermakelijk boek vol humor en vreemde personages, dat geschikt is voor kinderen vanaf 8 jaar. Heksenweek is het eerste deel in een nieuwe magische en vrolijke heksenserie en er volgen zeker nog drie nieuwe avonturen over Elsie, Magenta en hun bijzondere vrienden.

De volledige recensie van dit boek kun je lezen op https://dekleinekinderboekenkapitein....

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witch for a week by Kaye Umansky was a Goodreads win

I read this book in one session – with a smile on my face throughout!

I found it a charming, magical story full of humour and quirky characters. Elsie helps in the family shop which has sensible but amusing guidelines for customer service. (Keep people chatting and they just buy something) Nothing much is sold and she would really like to have a new pair of shoes. Along comes Magenta a witch, who seems to know Elsie’s deepest wishes. She is looking for a housekeeper for a week, and Elsie volunteers – a purse of money, a room of her own, and books to read – magic!

She did not realise that the witch's house was a moveable tower (but not to worry it was on long term parking for the week), or that she had a house companion (a talking raven, expert in high fives, wing to hand). She is attracted to a book on simple spells, which she can’t resist trying (the storm in a tea cup was a favourite).

As well as Elsie and the witch, we have a handsome wood cutter and a love struck wood sprite – can magic bring them together? Potions have been ordered, but they come with the instruction to use immediately. Can Elsie make sense if the fizzing, lively ingredients? Or will it be disaster?

I like the illustrations, especially the aspiring wood sprite. She loves animals and is clutching a startled rabbit. Her garden is full of things to attract wildlife, but all living creatures scatter as she arrives, as they don’t want to be her latest pet!

I enjoyed reading the book, and will pass it on to my granddaughter to read.

Ellen Hall's review (age 8 years)
This book is set in a town called Smallbridge. A girl called Elsie lives there and helps her dad manage their shop. One day a strong wind comes into the town and a witch called Magenta arrives. She asks Elsie to look after her house while she is away and persuades Elsie to say "Yes". Magenta goes off to visit her family. Elsie is in charge of a witches house. Elsie finds a book about magic and tries 3 spells. A girl wants her to make a love potion for the woodcutter....does Elsie do it? Will it all turn out ok?.....
I really enjoyed this book.

[Katja Smit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Een bijzonder vermakelijk A-boek. De eerste van een reeks over Elsie Pekel en de heks Magenta. Meteen in het begin al grappig, omdat daar klantenserviceregels worden gegeven. Elsie werkt namelijk in het warenhuis van haar ouders en daar heeft ze geleerd hoe je met klanten omgaat. De regels komen in het hele boek terug. Regel 1: wees vriendelijk, zelfs tegen onbeleefde klanten (eigenlijk: juist tegen onbeleefde klanten). Of regel 3: luister goed, knik bevestigend en kijk geïnteresseerd (niet makkelijk als je over kurkentrekkers en scharnieren praat). Ik denk dat een 7-jarige dit boek erg kan waarderen. En deze keer is de humor ook voor een volwassene goed te harden. Aanrader!

2020, A-boek, heksen, toveren.