There Once Was a Witch

Publishers Weekly

In Five Little Pumpkins, illus. by Dan Yaccarino, five carved pumpkins watch ghosts and witches fly by on Halloween night. Bold colors, expressive pumpkins and dramatic perspectives complement the spirited rhyming text. R.W. Alley's lively, humorous illustrations for There Once Was a Witch depict a cheerful Halloween night with costumed trick-or-treaters and a fun-loving, broomstick-surfing witch. The music and lyrics for this traditional song appear on the last spread. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature

It is Halloween night and the witch is out riding on her broom. She seems to be having a bit of trouble steering, but her cat and hop-toad manage to hang on. Suddenly all the kids out for trick-or-treating seem to be joining her in the air, and then they make a landing on the porch of a very surprised neighbor. The music and words for this song are printed on the last spread of the board book. Parents can relax, there is nothing frightening in this book; the witch is always smiling and the kids are not the least it afraid. They all seem to be having a great time. 2003, HarperCollins, Ages 2 to 6.
— Marilyn Courtot