Witches' Supermarket

While trick-or-treating on Halloween night, Helen and her dog Martha happen upon a very unusual supermarket—for witches and cats only—where they are most unwelcome!

On their way to a Halloween party, Helen and her dog Martha happen upon a very creepy supermarket for witches.

While trick-or-treating on Halloween night, Helen and her dog Martha happen upon a very unusual supermarket -- for witches and cats only -- where they are most unwelcome!

Publishers Weekly

In a highly original Halloween tale, Meddaugh ( Tree of Birds ; Too Many Monsters ) again evinces a gently humorous, delightfully skewed imagination. As Helen, in a witch costume, and her dog Martha, dressed as a cat (``Witches have cats, not dogs. Everybody knows that'') set out for trick-or-treating, the woman ahead of them drops a piece of paper. Hurrying after her to return it--a coupon for a free broom--Helen and Martha hesitate when she disappears behind a door marked ``Trespassers Will Be Sorry.'' Peeking inside, Helen announces, ``It's just a supermarket!'' and the pair ventures in. But this is no ordinary food store--its counters display such fare as``Apples with Worms,'' ``Cran-Spider'' drink and ``Shake 'n Bake Snake.'' When the light finally dawns for Helen, readers, of course, will be way ahead of her--thanks not only to the book's title but to its hilarious, none-too-subtle illustrations. This knowledge only adds to the fun, however: the giggles begin early, and by the chaotic escape scene, develop into full-scale belly laughs. Definitely in the ``treat'' category. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)

Susan Meddaugh was born and raised in Montclair, New Jersey. She graduated from Wheaton College, where she studied French literature and fine arts. After working briefly with an advertising agency in New York, she moved to Boston and worked at a publishing company for ten years, first as a designer, then art editor, and finally as art director. While there, she did the illustrations for GOOD STONES (Houghton Mifflin) by Anne Epstein, and then decided to strike out on her own as a freelance illustrator and creator of children's books. Since that time, Susan has written and illustrated many popular books for children, including MARTHA SPEAKS, which was chosen as a NEW YORK TIMES Best Illustrated Book for 1992. In 1998 she was awarded the New England Book Award, given by the New England Booksellers Association to recognize a body of work. Her work also was acknowledged with a New York Times Best Illustrated Award. She lives in Sherborn, Massachusetts.