Weeny Witch

by Ida DeLage, Kelly Oechsli (Illustrator)

After the witches capture the night fairies, Weeny Witch helps them escape and discovers that she too is a night fairy, stolen years before by the witches

Genres: Halloween, Childrens, Picture Books

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1968

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ida DeLage, a picture-book author who created the fourteen-volume Old Witch series, published from 1966 through 1983, spins an enchanting stand-alone fairy-tale in this 1968 story of Weeny Witch. Small and not particularly fierce, Weeny Witch stands out from her peers, and provokes the ire of the Queen of the Witches, when she is late for a midnight meeting. When the witches plot to capture and destroy the Night Fairies, who light the stars each night, Weeny Witch ends up foiling their plans, helping the fairies to escape. Taken with them to Fairyland, she discovers that she is no witch, but a stolen fairy-child, who is welcomed back by the Fairy Queen, and renamed Silverwing...

Having read all fourteen of DeLage's Old Witch picture-books, as well as her ABC Halloween Witch , but never having managed to track down Weeny Witch, which I have always understood to be one of the author's best stories, I was quite happy when my local library was able to obtain a copy through inter-library loan. Huzzah for librarians! I enjoyed the story here a great deal, probably the best of any witchy tale I have read from DeLage, and I found Kelly Oeschli's accompanying illustrations charming. The witches are depicted in a truly creepy way, while the fairies are delightfully cute. This is a difficult book to track down, but if one can find a copy, I believe readers who enjoy witchy tales (as I do) will find it quite entertaining.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite Halloween Book!!! I read it hundreds of times. I am sad I can't find a copy (affordable). The story and art work were exceptional!!!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book as a child. The story is so wonderful and magical. It has stayed with me for 50+ years. I had a freckle in the palm of my hand and I just knew I was a night fairy just like Weeny Witch. I looked for it for years and my mom found an old copy that a library was getting rid of. Oh happy day!

[Carolynn Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hands down my favorite Halloween classic. My copy has my name written in it in my 3rd-grade handwriting from back in the 1970's. This year, I read it aloud to my friends on our Dia de los Muertos road trip and I loved it as much as I always have. I wanted to make sure my Goodreads library included this masterpiece!

[Tabitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally adorable.

[Shobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I still remember obsessively taking this book out of the library as a 3 year old when I was first learning to read. It was eras old by that time and it took me till this year to finally track down that it was THIS story that had always imprinted a concept of a kidnapped princess in a ring of witches. I partially think this story is why I've always loved magical stories.

For that lasting effect, it deserves 5 stars.

[Jen Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

my favorite kids' book, along with the george and martha series

[Chrissy]

I had a copy of this book when I was little, and I loved it.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it!!!! This was one of my favorite books as a little girl!!!! So cute! A definite must-read!

[Eran · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I became obsessed with! And all the years later it is one of my most favorite memories.....I love this book.

[Tracy Guetthoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remember reading as a child. Found and bought an old, beat up copy off of eBay. Memories!!!! Loved this book.

[Kimberly Souza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story and fun illustrations.

[Jamie O · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up with this book, and to date, it is still one of my absolute favorites.