by Catherine Johnson, @CatherinePoet
There’s so many awesome picture books on Susanna’s blog now, and I just had to add this one. Halloween is on a Wednesday and I have one more wonderful Halloween book so I figure best to show them before Halloween not after.
Well have I been dying to tell you about the wonderful surprise Phil’s parents had for me while we were at the Lake District. I was so lucky to be able to go to the Children’s Illustration Exhibition curated by the fantastic Julia Donaldson. I got to see a video of Roald Dahl’s illustrator Quentin Blake actually painting and giving tips. It was wonderful, I can’t believe how fast he draws!
Anyway I just had to do Room on the Broom today which is of course written by Julia Donaldson.
Room on the Broom written by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
MacMillan Children’s books, 2001, Fiction
Suitable for: Pre-school to Grade 2
Themes/Topics: Teamwork, using your initiative, rewards, adventure.
Opening:
The witch had a cat and a very tall hat,
And long ginger hair which she wore in a plait.
How the cat purred and how the witch grinned,
As they sat on their broomstick and flew through the wind.
Synopsis:
The witch and her cat are happily flying through the sky on a broomstick when the wind picks up and blows away the witch’s hat, then her bow, and then her wand! Luckily, three helpful animals find the missing items, and all they want in return is a ride on the broom. But is there room on the broom for so many friends? And when disaster strikes, will they be able to save the witch from a hungry dragon?
Activities: Room on the Broom activities, and more, great ideas from The Teacher’s Cauldron.
Do you have room on your broom for another fine book? 
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | books for children, Catherine Johnson, Halloween, Julia Donaldson, Room on the Broom, Stories for children, witches
That book looks like fun. I should check if our library carries it.
Cool! Good one for Halloween!
Thanks for sharing this one. I’ve seen it advertised on Publishers Weekly. Looks fun!
What a fun book for kids! A great choice for Halloween. Absolutely love that cover. Where do you find so many rhyming books?
By accident!
Great choice, Catherine! I reallylove that one – although EVERYTHING by Julia Donaldson is wonderful.
She’s one of my faves.
Ishta, I love the way she knocks out classic books every time. Awe inspiring.
That’s a good pre-Halloween choice. I tend to be more on the slow end. The themes and age group sound perfect for our household. Thanks for sharing. Have a great week.
I still dig Dahl!
Oh me too. If he’d have written pbs I’d be putting them on here every week.
Oh, I LOVE this book, Catherine!!
I’m so glad you added it – it certainly belongs on our list! Great pick!
It’s had the highest re-readability with the kids since The Gruffalo. Julia rocks!
I have typed out many of Donaldson’s books – just love the rhythms and adore the humor! Truly surprised more people don’t know her books here. AND TOTALLY JEALOUS of your visit to the exhibit!
I wish I could post some postcards that illustrators sent to writers with illustrations on the front of the envelopes. I have a photo but it’s probably not allowed to share, you’d have to twist my arm
I suppose it’s a bit like Lynley Dodd in Aus, though Julia has so many best sellers everyone ought to know her really.
Lynley Dodd books – YES! And I only found the Slinky Malinkys recently. There are quite a few German one’s I really like that never broke the ice here – I am sure it’s language and translation. There are some Swedish ones I like that are far too wordy for American tastes. Oh well!
You’ll have to give me those titles. I’ve been to Sweden, it’s a lovely country.
Pettson och Findus in Swedish. here is a link to one in English: http://www.amazon.com/Pancakes-Findus-Pettson-Sven-Nordqvist/dp/190345879X
What a fun cover, I love it! The exhibit sounds amazing, I love Roald Dahl!
It was a bit like walking through heaven looking at all the illos on the wall then watching Quentin Blake do his stuff.
Cool book! I love the cover!
It’s a fun one, Erik.
Excellent, my friend! That cover is awesomely done. I love books like this. But this one is bodaciously done! (Makes a writer wish she had written it.) Love me some Dahl!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sending you some love, my friend! Mwah! *high five*
Wouldn’t it be awesome to have Axel as your illustrator. *high five* my firework of kindness x
I LOVE this book!!!! Great choice. Julia Donaldson is a genius!!!
Oh, no. I get a trick instead of a treat… You beat me to posting this book. Room on the Broom is definitely a perfect picture book. My review of it is scheduled for this Friday. Oh, well. I’m going to go add a link to your review at the bottom of my post now
Oh no, sorry Nessa! Great minds think alike. I’m sure lots of different eyes will see it on your blog anyway. And I had a book up a few weeks ago that has been done 3 times so not to worry. I’ll link to yours too
Great minds do think alike. I’m always seeing books and going “Oh, that IS a perfect picture book.” PPBF is such a wonderful project.
[...] Room on the Broom PPBF (catherinemjohnson.wordpress.com) [...]
I love this even more now because of that new TY ad with the witch on the broom… makes me laugh all the time.