millinocket's Full Review: Jane O'Connor - Lulu Goes to Witch School
I always wanted to be a witch when I was a little girl. All of that magic and flying! It sounded absolutely grand. Actually, it still does, but we can deal with my immaturity later. With the whole nation reading about and watching a certain boy wizards exploits, I thought it would be nice to find a book about being magical for the younger reader. And find one I did! Lulu Goes to Witch School is a terrific introduction to witchiness for the beginning reader.
Lulu is just like any other little girl heading off to school for the first time. Shes excited and nervous, and of course she also happens to be a witch. She loves her new teacher right away, admiring her long nose and the wart on her chin. But she isnt so sure about the girl who sits next to her. Sandy Witch seems to know how to do everything already and Lulu is sure shell never be able to do as well.
Lulu Goes to Witch School puts a little magical spin on a classic tale of classroom rivalry. Lulu isnt sure what to expect when she heads off to school and she isnt sure what to do about her negative feelings toward Sandy. Lulus mom, though quite typically witchly in appearance, provides a warm, safe, calm and loving place for Lulu to explore all these new feelings. Author Jane OConnor captures those tentative first steps toward being a big kid in nice, short sentences that are perfect for readers who are in the midst of experiencing similar feelings for the first time. This is a level two I Can Read book, so there are no separated chapters and the vocabulary is kept simple for early readers.
The witchy part of the book is best explored by illustrator Emily Arnold McCully. Each page has Lulu going through very typical situations, but not quite in a typical manner. Her cubby has a bat on it and a resident mouse, her favorite dress is covered with spiders, she takes flying lessons instead of spelling tests. The pictures look like watercolor and pencil drawings rather primitive in style, but filled with cute details that will have kids spending plenty of time looking for magical tidbits.
Lulu Goes to Witch School is a fun book for the new reader. It has a little magic, like the big kids books, but is very pertinent to the littler set and the dilemmas they may face as they head off into the big wide world of school. Any little reader who has dreams of one day reading about that older wizard (or even wishes she could be a little magical) will enjoy Lulu Goes to Witch School. Now where do I sign up to go to witch school with her?
This review is part of the Fight Illiteracy Write Off hosted by dramastef and hadassachana. Please see details here and here for your chance to participate. Thanks to both Stef and Cindy for hosting such a terrific event!
Lulu Witch can t wait to start school. She has a new broom and a lunch box with Dracula on it. She likes her teacher, Miss Slime. But Lulu has a probl...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.