Synopsis
Did witches always ride brooms? No! In fact, long, long ago, witches crept about on tiptoe. On Halloween, they would scare children and cast spells . . . but always from the ground. No witch ever thought of flying - no witch until Druscilla. Druscilla was an old witch with the loudest, creakiest knees anyone had ever heard. But she was determined not to let anything spoil her element of surprise. One Halloween, after many failed attempts at sneaking up on unsuspecting villagers, Druscilla made a discovery that changed the course of witch history.
Publishers Weekly
In this underdog story set “a million spells ago,” Druscilla, the “ricketiest witch of all,” lives in a mountaintop house outside town. Back then, witches used to tiptoe to do their “spooking and spelling.” But with her creaky knees, Druscilla lacks the “element of surprise.” After an awkward donkey ride and a soggy re-enactment of Icarus's flight, she hatches an idea: “Blood of worms, wings of bees,/ A quiet flight for noisy knees./ Up and down, around the room/ Get up and fly, you beautiful broom!” The physical humor will entertain, though readers may wish for more views of Druscilla's triumphant flight. Ages 5–9. (Aug.)