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THE LITTLE WITCH by Otfried Preussler Kirkus Star

THE LITTLE WITCH

by Otfried Preussler ; illustrated by Winnie Gebhardt-Gayler ; translated by Anthea Bell

Pub Date: Oct. 8th, 1961
ISBN: 978-1-59017-934-5
Publisher: New York Review Books

<p>All children who tremble at the thought of witches — allay your fears! — For as of Walpurgis Night last, the bad witches have been rendered powerless and only one good little witch remains. How this came to be is the content of a delightful book to be read in episodes or at one happy sitting. The little witch was given a year by the Witches' Council to master the Book of Witchcraft. With her trusted companion, Abraxas the raven, she learns to cast all the conventional spells, but puts her knowledge to real use in helping people and animals in distress. There was the poor little flower seller whose products suddenly filled the market place with their delicious odor, the cruel horse driver who soon learned the feel of a whip, the ox who was miraculously saved from roasting, the cold chestnut man who thawed out and many others on whom the little witch cast her spells. Yet it was these very good deeds that incurred the wrath of the Council. How the little witch casts her most powerful spell will leave readers thoroughly satisfied and young bedtime listeners ready for only pleasant dreams. Halloween special.</p>