Most picky eaters would happily choose spinach or broccoli or even Brussels sprouts over the scary stew Mama Witch cooks up for Halloween.
Little Witch looks with despair at the concoction brewing just for her. “Eye of newt, toe of sock, heel of boot, salted rock.” Each spread lists new gruesome or wacky ingredients, and Riti does an admirable job representing them as funny little icons within the illustrations. Young ones will have fun matching the images to the text. Lime greens, dusky purples and peachy tones make up the palette in this retro-styled title. After each addition to the recipe, Little Witch responds with a disgusted “yuck,” “gross” or “barf.” Mama Witch urges her daughter to just taste it. Little Witch gives a litany of outlandish excuses. Parents will relate to the melodrama, and kids will relish Little Witch’s over-the-top reactions. But Mama Witch persists, and Little Witch tries it: “It’s o-kaaaay.” The tables turn when they go trick-or-treating. Little Witch enthusiastically gathers a bucketful of yummy sweets and wants her mother to try some. Mama Witch proclaims them “too sugary” and “too human,” but a nibble of chocolate makes her think it might be “not so terrible.”
Offer this up to the most discriminating eaters or readers; most likely they will dig right in. (soup recipe) (Picture book. 4-7)
