The Witch's Handbook

Publishers Weekly

Got a haunting on your hands? Part of the inventively designed Field Guide to the Paranormal series (which resemble passports to another world), The Ghost Hunter's Handbook: A Field Guide to the Paranormal by Lori Summers offers help for those in need. With blocky drawings and eerie photographs, the title explains what ghosts are, where and how to find them and "What to Do if You Encounter a Ghost." An appendix suggests books and movies for further research; fill-in-the-blank pages encourage kids to document sightings. Also available: The Witch's Handbook: A Field Guide to Magic by Rachel Dickinson (with movie stills from The Wizard of Oz, Harry Potter and more). Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Children's Literature

This seems to be a big year for witches and this little handbook is chock full of information. The opening chapter asks if you are a witch and offers ways to test yourself. There us a Federal Witch Identification Exam, a page to list the reasons why you might be a witch, information about famous witches such as those from the Wizard of OZ and the TV program Bewitched, there is even a two page spread listing good witch characteristics and a similar one for bad witches. Chapter two describes witches in history and how those women who often knew herbal remedies and could help heal the sick were often considered witches. One of the more interesting sections of this chapter is the description of witch holidays. The next chapter deals with essential equipment such as a broomstick and how to make one, obtaining a familiar, and a wand. Chapter four describes magic symbols and spells with step-by-step instructions and the proper words to use for a few magic tricks. The last chapter offers more resources for those who want to do more reading about witches or watch some movies and TV shows. There is also a glossary and pages for a journal and another to create an identification card. Fun for older kids who know that this is a spoof and will find the compilation amusing. 2002, Price Stern Sloan,
— Marilyn Courtot