PIllywiggins and the Tree Witch

Pillywiggins and the Tree Witch
by Julia Jarman
Andersen Press, 2012. 116 pgs. Intermediate

When Natasha and her family move to The Deepings, she discovers an old garden behind her house that seems filled with mystery and magic. For one thing, there is a rabbit only she can see perched on the branch of an old yew tree. And the tree looks and sounds like a witch. Then Jamie, a boy from the neighborhood, shows her Pillywiggins, a fairy imprisoned in stone by the Witch Tree because other fairies stole the Witch's baby boy. Can Natasha get through the fairy ring--in her house!--to retrieve Green Boy and free Pillywiggins? And if she gets in, can she get back out? These questions are answered in a more convenient ending than might seem reasonable to an adult, but children will be glad that the Fairy Queen no longer deals in changelings, and in a happy ending for all. Pillywiggins and the Tree Witch is a bit scary, but Natasha is as brave a young girl as one might imagine, and young chapter book readers should join in her adventures with pleasure.

Comments

Dude, That's Rude! (Get Some Manners) by Pamela Espeland & Elizabeth Verdick

If there's one book today's kids need to read, it is Dude, That's Rude! (Get Some Manners) . The authors provide a fun format for teaching etiquette to children. They discuss proper behavior at home, at school, at other people's homes and in public places. The information is completely up-to-date with cellphone manners and netiquette included. Fun, cartoony illustrations are on practically every page giving the book great visual appeal. This book is perfect for boys and girls in the fourth grade or older. WARNING: Bodily functions are discussed.

Faces of the Moon by Bob Crelin

Faces of the Moon by Bob Crelin Illustrated by Leslie Evans Charlesburg; 2009; unpaged Faces of the Moon is a short nonfiction book that describes the different phases of the moon and why the moon appears like it does on certain nights. This book is short and sweet so even the youngest of moon lovers will enjoy it. The layout is simplistic and easy to follow. I don’t know much about the moon so I found it very interesting.

The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester 2008

J Fiction 328 pages I almost didn't finish this book. I got to Chapter 4, and was just about ready to quit (a kind of slow story about a girl, name of Piper McCloud, who discovers she can fly, parents freak out, she becomes a social outcast, yadda, yadda) but suddenly, right there in Chapter 4, the story takes a sharp turn and becomes really interesting . Piper finds herself in the company of others like her, but not "fliers", and under the care and authority of Dr. Hellion. I won't even tell you any more. Read this book. Forester does a great job of keeping you wondering who's the good guy and who's the bad? Piper is a likeable, strong, endearing character that girl readers will enjoy. But don't NOT give it to boys! The main male character is an extremely intelligent young man who is one of the ones you wonder about . . . good or bad? This is a good one, well worth your time.

Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Search This Blog