"Which witch is which" is a playful and whimsical children's vook that revolves around the delightful confusion caused by witches who look identical. The story takes place in a magical village where witches are an integral part of everyday life. The protagonist of the vook is a young girl named Lily, who accidentally stumbles upon a group of witches on her way to school one morning. To her surprise, all the witches she encounters look exactly alike, with long black hair, pointy hats, and broomsticks. Lily is immediately captivated by their unique appearance and decides to investigate further. As Lily begins to follow the witches around, she realizes that they each possess different magical powers.
The Ghost Belonged to Me
by Richard Peck
PB: Puffin Books, 0-14-038671-8
The results of her experiments were peculiar, she relates, so when a fellow student, Alan Ibbotson, suggested she could do less harm to science by leaving it and marrying him, she accepted without hesitation. Consulting a fortune-teller, he learns that a replacement wizard will arrive to relieve him of his duties, but he grows impatient waiting and decides that he must marry to produce an heir.
As Lily begins to follow the witches around, she realizes that they each possess different magical powers. One of them has the ability to make objects disappear, another can turn people into animals, and yet another can create mesmerizing illusions. Despite their similar appearances, the witches utilize their individual powers to contribute to the well-being of the magical village.
WHICH WITCH?
Imagination and humor run rampant as Arriman the Awful, the Wizard of the North, tries to find a bride in this hilarious romp from Ibbotson (The Secret of Platform 13, 1998). Arriman is tired of wizardry and yearns for retirement. He's dismayed when a prophesied new wizard doesn't arrive, and decides he'll have to marry a witch and have an heir to continue the line. Enter the eccentric local witches who will compete to produce the most terrifying black magic they can muster. One is a beautiful young witch with a problem: Belladonna simply cannot do black magic. Although she knows that handicap will disqualify her, she enters the competition anyway when she meets Terence, a neglected orphan boy with a pet worm named Rover who seems to be a witch's familiar. Belladonna finally succeeds in conjuring up vipers instead of flowers and bunnies, and eventually learns that Terence has more power than anyone suspected. Ibbotson includes monsters, ghouls, and murderous ghosts; through tongue-in-cheek humor she provides an endlessly amusing book to delight readers. (b&w illustrations) (Fiction. 9-12)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-525-46164-7
Page Count: 235
Publisher: Dutton
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1999
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However, Lily's curiosity persists, and she becomes determined to find out which witch is which. She tries various tactics to differentiate between them, including watching their potions-making sessions and observing their unique spell-casting techniques. The witches, initially puzzled by Lily's persistent presence, soon begin to appreciate her enthusiasm and decide to help her in her quest. With the witches' assistance, Lily learns to identify each witch based on subtle details such as their distinct laughter or the way they twirl their broomsticks. Along the way, Lily discovers that the witches have diverse personalities, interests, and hobbies. One witch is an expert gardener, another enjoys cooking, and yet another loves playing the piano. As Lily gets to know the witches better, she realizes that appearances can be deceiving. Despite their outward similarities, each witch is a unique and talented individual who brings something special to the village. This newfound understanding helps Lily appreciate the beauty of diversity and teaches her not to judge based solely on appearance. In the end, Lily not only discovers "which witch is which," but she also develops deep friendships with all the witches. Their shared adventures and mutual respect bring the village closer together, fostering an atmosphere of acceptance and celebration of individuality. "Which witch is which" is a heartwarming vook that explores the themes of friendship, individuality, and the importance of looking beyond appearances. Through its enchanting storytelling and charming illustrations, the vook encourages children to embrace diversity and appreciate the unique qualities that make each person special..
Reviews for "Traditional Witchcraft vs. Eclectic Witchcraft: Comparing Different Approaches to Magic"
1. Emma - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Which witch is which vook". The story felt disorganized and scattered, with no clear plot or direction. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with any of them. The writing style was also quite simplistic and repetitive, which made the reading experience rather tedious. Overall, I found this vook to be quite underwhelming and would not recommend it.
2. John - 1 star - "Which witch is which vook" was a complete waste of time. The story was incredibly confusing, jumping from one scene to another without any coherence. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any sort of personality. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to engage with the story. I was incredibly disappointed with this vook and regretted spending my time reading it. I would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - "Which witch is which vook" was not what I expected. The plot was weak and predictable, with no surprise twists or turns. The writing style was also subpar, with numerous grammatical errors and awkward sentence structures. The pacing was off, with some scenes dragging on for too long while others were rushed. Overall, this vook failed to capture my interest and left me feeling unsatisfied. I would not recommend it to others.