The Worst Witch Series
The Worst Witch #1
The Worst Witch Strikes Again #2
A Bad Spell for Worst Witch #3
The Worst Witch at Sea #4
The Worst Witch Saves the Day #5
The Worst Witch to the Rescue #6
By: Jill Murphy
Published by: Candlewick
Summary for Worst Witch #1: Mildred Hubble is a trainee witch at Miss Cackle’s Academy, and she’s making an awful mess of it. She’s always getting her spells wrong and she can’t even ride a broomstick without crashing it. Will she ever make a real witch?
Review: These books made me giggle. Mildred’s mistakes and misadventures as a witch are sure to entice young readers. I imagine beginning readers will fall in love with Mildred and her silly tales of woe. The illustrations make these excellent books for students who are just beginning to transition from picture books. Reading the books felt reminiscent of a Harry Potter series for younger readers, and they also reminded me of Amelia Bedelia. I adored these books and plan to read them to my son when he is older.
Teacher’s Tools for Navigation: Students would have fun creating”To their own worst witch scenarios. What kinds of spells can they imagine that could go horribly wrong? I would love to read this series to young children around Halloween.
Discussion Questions: How does Mildred fail as a witch? Why do you think she is so unsuccessful?; How does Mildred show perseverance? Is she brave?
We Flagged: “To tell you the truth, Mildred was afraid of the dark, but don’t tell anyone. I mean, whoever heard of a witch who was scared of the dark” (p. 11)?
Read This If You Loved: The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, The Amelia Bedelia series by Peggy Parish
Recommended For:
Oh my, these are cute, Kellee. I know a whole lot of students, and my oldest granddaughter who will giggle and giggle! Thanks for sharing. I am not familiar with these at all.
The Bradley series does well in my library, so I can’t wait to get a copy of Alias Men in! The witch books looked a bit young, but the Ruth Chew books have been doing very well with my reluctant readers, so I’ll have to take a look at The Worst Witch!