Wizzil

by William Steig

Language:Chinese.HardCover. Pub Date: 2015-1-1 Pages: 32 Publisher: Publishing witch twenty-first century Wei Jier thoroughly bored. She becomes a fly. to harass Fulin Pu farm owner Devitt. No one thought. Devitt most annoying flies. He took the fly swatter East beat the West play. almost to Wei Jier life. This time. Wei Jier also angry. she is determined to take revenge at the Witte. So she turned into a glove. deliberately let Devitt picked her. and worn on the hand. Then. mercilessly tease him about it. Devitt eventually found a glove strange. the it off and throw it into the river. However. Wei Jier can not swim. ah. she what will happen?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Fantasy, Humor

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 23, 2000

About the author

William Steig was born in New York City in 1907. In a family where every member was involved in the arts, it was not surprising that Steig became an artist.

He published his first children's book, Roland the Minstrel Pig, in 1968, embarking on a new and very different career.

Steig's books reflect his conviction that children want the security of a devoted family and friends. When Sylvester, Farmer Palmer, Abel, Pearl, Gorky, Solomon, and Irene eventually get home, their families are all waiting, and beginning with Amos & Boris, friendship is celebrated in story after story.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/willia...

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmm, what to say about this book. The illustrations look like a Roald Dahl book and it is the same illustrator. You can tell. So that is good. William Steig does use the grotesque in his stories. I feel like this is again bashing the old crone. By herself, she is evil, but if she finds love, then she can be a wonderful person again. She needs a man. Now, I doubt this is what it's saying, but I'm reactive enough to feel it is saying that. Why can't we have a story about empowered old ladies? They feel invisible enough as it is.

It's a cute story, it just pushed my buttons wrong.

My nephew enjoyed the book and he gave it 4 stars.

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This was a fun read with lots of action and humour. Quentin Blake's illustrations are so animated and entertaining, the illustration of a glove turning into a witch in 3 steps is very good. A lovely story extolling the virtues of cleanliness and the happiness of being a family.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thoroughly bored and looking for something to do one day, Wizzil the witch is influenced by her parrot companion Beatrice, and disguises herself as a fly in order to annoy local farmer DeWitt Frimp. Outraged when he attempts to squash her, Wizzil next disguises herself as a glove, causing all sorts of mayhem and misbehavior, when the farmer puts the "happy harpy on his hand." When DeWitt, finally tumbling to the sinister qualities of his new hand-wear, tosses the glove into a local stream, Wizzil is revealed. Unable to stomach the idea of any creature drowning, even if she is a nasty witch, he jumps in to save her, only to discover that the bright clear water has caused a miraculous transformation...

When I realized that this witchy picture-book from renowned American children's book author William Steig - author of such picture-book favorites as Sylvester and the Magic Pebble and Doctor De Soto - had been illustrated by the celebrated British artist Quentin Blake - perhaps best known for his work on Roald Dahl's books - I was quite excited! As far as I know, Wizzil is the only collaboration between the two, making it quite an interesting title for admirers of Steig and/or Blake's work. I enjoyed the story, which was told with Steig's usual sharp humor, and I thought the artwork by Blake was did an excellent job of capturing the wacky goings-on in the text. I did find myself wondering, as I was reading through, what Steig himself would have made of the characters, if he has been the illustrator as well, but that's only natural, I suppose. All in all, a solidly engaging little picture-book from these two greats - not the best from either, I would say, but still worth seeking out, particularly for those who (like me) enjoy witchy tales.

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wizzil the witch is bored and easily influenced by her devious parrot. The parrot convinces Wizzil to wreak havoc on the Frimp Farm. Wizzil transforms into a fly and a work glove and drives DeWitt Frimp crazy. She shakes the house, makes Fred and Florence Frimp itch, and makes the meatballs explode at dinner. Eventually, DeWitt has had enough and he throws the work glove into the river...what happens to Wizzil after that is both surprising and shocking.

Blake's illustrations add to the tone of Steig's story and the facial expressions he creates are both humorous and insightful.

[Ilana Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you first see Quentin Blake's illustrations, it's easy to mistake this for a Roald Dahl book. And there is plenty of black humor and comeuppance that fool you into thinking Dahl wrote it. But soon you'll see Steig's signature tenderness and focus on the powers of love at the end. A winner all around!

[Audrey Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

My fourth graders devoured this as a read aloud! As a teacher, it is always enjoyable when books provide us with an opportunity to read in a silly voice, and in this engaging picture book Steig's characters bring out our inner parrot and witch. I especially liked pairing this read aloud with Steig's, "Sylvester and the Magic Pebble" to show how his writing developed over the course of 30 years.

[Shiloah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Waste of time. Boy, we had a bad run of read aloud books tonight.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this book out loud on the spot was kinda hard with all those weird words ngl

[Pamela Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book. Wizzil the witch is bored and decides to cause mischief, but the ending isn't what you'd expect.

[Josiah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maybe my viewpoint was partly influenced by the fact that the illustrations in this book were done by Quentin Blake, but the story reminded me much more of a Roald Dahl book than a typical William Steig offering.

Wizzil is the story of a mischievous (and sometimes malevolent) witch who engages in an odd revenge scheme to get even with the man that almost unwittingly killed her when she had morphed into the form of a housefly. Wizzil's plan takes an unexpected twist, though, and both she and the man that she was trying to get revenge on learn an interesting lesson when he finds out that Wizzil isn't quite as bad as she had seemed throughout the story.

I like this book as a good diversion from a highly notable author. I might give one and a half stars to Wizzil.

[Sue Berg · Rating 5 out of 5]

ah -- even before i saw the hardback picture book, i listened to the audiotape of the story that I got from the library. when the picture book arrived and i picked that up from the library -- o fell in love with the illustrations and had already enjoyed the narrated version very much. I found it hard to believe other reviews did not like this book. **sigh** I know, I know. It is all a matter of taste and maybe even the mood you're in the day you pick up this wonderful book ... ENJOY IT! Both in audio and the hardback with the delightful illustrations. :D

[Sue Berg · Rating 5 out of 5]

ah -- even before i saw the hardback picture book, i listened to the audiotape of the story that I got from the library. when the picture book arrived and i picked that up from the library -- o fell in love with the illustrations and had already enjoyed the narrated version very much. I found it hard to believe other reviews did not like this book. **sigh** I know, I know. It is all a matter of taste and maybe even the mood you're in the day you pick up this wonderful book ... ENJOY IT! Both in audio and the hardback with the delightful illustrations. :D

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a witch who turns herself into a fly, then a glove, to thoroughly annoy a man she doesn't like. When he later saves her life, her "filth" is washed away and she's a different person. It has a sort of Gospel message in it, although the author is a Jew to my knowledge. The overall theme is a good one and the silliness my children really enjoyed.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the Shrek books, so I was excited to see this at a library sale.
I read through the book and was extremely disappointed by the ending. It was pretty weak throughout but the last 4 pages made me annoyed and frustrated.

I will not be reading this book to my kids and will probably be donating it shortly.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not really sure why but I love Quentin Blake's illustrations. They are a bit frightening and, even, unnerving but I find myself drawn to them. Perhaps it is because he did the illustrations for Roald Dahl's books.

This story was just okay but I did love the illustrations.

[Ham · Rating 3 out of 5]

If it's illustrated by Blake, I give it a try.
This story was better than Blake's own, but not nearly up to the level of Mr. Dahl. I just have to give it up. Roald is dead and Quentin is no substitute.

[Lillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

i thought the pictures were really really really really funny.

[SARAH · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok...since when are witches dictated to by evil parrots? This book was a bit weird.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic Quentin Blake - messy drawings combined with the clever wit of William Stieg (of Dr. DeSoto) makes for a delightfully wicked read. I love the gnarly hands of Wizzil the witch! A new classic.

[Erica Hendrickson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quirky story about a bored, lonely witch.

[Brittney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Modern fantasy book about a "pesky" witch

[Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hahahaah this is so wacky and cute!

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected a better story from William Steig, and Wizzil looks an awful lot like Mrs. Twit. Disappointing.

[Catherine Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

William Steig and Quentin Blake in one book wow no wonder it is awesome!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Steig and Mr. Blake - how could you go wrong?! Humorous, creative and quirky are all packaged in this book.

[Alec Longstreth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy moley! A team up of two of my favorite picture book artists. Classic William Steig story, with classic Quentin Blake illustrations? I'm in!

[Carla Lake · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Wizzil, a witch. Upon trying to frazzle a victim, Wizzil discovers her true self and her life takes a tremendous change!!

[Carfig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bored witch causing trouble gets a happy ending. Steig, with Quentin Blake illustrations. Can't go wrong!

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wizzil by William Steig, Illustrator Quentin Blake- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the story of Wizzil, a witch and her parrot Beatrice. Beatrice advices Wizzil to wreak havoc on Frimp family. Frimp family consists of Devit Frimp, his son Fred and his son’s wife his wife Florence. Wizzil transforms herself into a fly and squats on Devit’s head. Devit is wearing a flycatcher work glove in his left hand and he is able to kill flies. Wizzil has observed that Frimp is a left hander. Wizzil transforms herself in to left hand glove and lies near the post office box. Next morning, Devit picks up the left hand glove and wears it. Wizzel makes Frimp unable to kill flies with his left hand. All three members at the farm are bothered by Davit’s craze to kill flies. Fred observes that the new left hand glove is the reason for the family trouble. He asks his father to throw away the left hand glove. His mother Florence also requests him. Ultimately, Devitt throws away the glove in the river. Wizzil has never bathed. Now, Wizzil is clean and transforms in a beautiful old woman who is drowning. Devitt jumps in the river to save her. Devitt is charmed by her beauty and he marries her. Wizzil is now a good old woman. Beatrice also lives with them at the farm. Coloured illustrations help the reader in relating to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of the book.

[Adrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wizzil took her parrot's advice, turned herself into a common housefly, and zizzed on over to Frimp Farm to check it out incognito.

We do enjoy a Quentin Blake and this was added to our collection over the weekend when found in a local charity shop.

This time he has teamed up with a different partner, rather than our previous suspects of John Yeoman or Michael Rosen. However, the result is the same. A wonderfully fun story with imagery to match.

He certainly has a thing for parrots as they turn up again here. A touch that made me smile. 4 stars.