mat_tobin's review against another edition
4.0
In the park one windy day, the witch's three children arise - much to the terror of the local squirrels and pigeons. The children nonchalantly make their way through the park until they espy a young girl, Gemma, horrified that her toy boat is lost to the park's lake.
Never fear, the children will help...by turning Gemma into a frog (so that she can retrieve her boat), then the trees into a palace, pigeons into guards and so on and so on, until they're never quite sure how the undo all their hiccups. It is the youngest one who knows what to do and calls upon the greatest magic there is - the power of her Mum!
Ayto's wind-swept spreads are glorious and help whip up a humorous frenzy.
Never fear, the children will help...by turning Gemma into a frog (so that she can retrieve her boat), then the trees into a palace, pigeons into guards and so on and so on, until they're never quite sure how the undo all their hiccups. It is the youngest one who knows what to do and calls upon the greatest magic there is - the power of her Mum!
Ayto's wind-swept spreads are glorious and help whip up a humorous frenzy.
rhodesee's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this up because I adore the author's fairy tale adaptations in which she collaborates with a different illustrator. The illustrations in those are gorgeous. This book is illustrated in an entirely different style and I don't love them, but they do suit the story. So I picked it up hoping for more intricate, detailed and beautiful illustrations but what I got, was a funny, unique and creative story. My 3 year old loved it and we have read it several times now, and it doesn't loose anything on repeat!
sirkt's review against another edition
5.0
Another babysitting classic, amazing storytelling, makes me want to write children's books
More...