Snitchy Witch

by Frank J. Sileo PhD, MacKenzie Haley (Illustrator)

Overview

“Oh moon so full, round, and bright
We beg one favor of you tonight
For witches who tattle, witches who snitch,
Tie their tongues, zip their lips!
No witch shall squeal or tell on friends.
This spell will be broken when the snitching ends!”
 
Tattling is an all too familiar occurrence among children that can have harmful impacts on friends and relationships. This spellbinding story encourages children to examine the difference between snitching and telling, and the impact of their words on others.
 
Includes a Note to Parents and Caregivers with more information about snitching versus telling and what adults can do to help.
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781433830228
Publisher:	American Psychological Association
Publication date:	09/10/2019
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	1,171,872
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)
Lexile:	500L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Frank J. Sileo, PhD, is a New Jersey licensed psychologist and the founder and executive director of The Center for Psychological Enhancement in Ridgewood, New Jersey. He received his doctorate from Fordham University in New York City and is consistently recognized as one of New Jersey's top kids' doctors. He is the author of nine other award-winning children's books, including Sally Sore Loser: A Story About Winning and Losing, Don't Put Yourself Down in Circus Town: A Story About Self-Confidence, A World of Pausabilities: An Exercise in Mindfulness, Did You Hear?: A Story About Gossip, Bee Still: An Invitation to Meditation, and Bee Calm: The Buzz on Yoga. Visit drfranksileo.com and @DrFrankSileo on Twitter.

MacKenzie Haley is an illustrator who lives in Louisville, Kentucky with her cat, Booger. She studied illustration at the University of Dayton. Visit mackenziehaley.com, and @mackenzie_haley on Instagram.

Editorial Reviews

09/02/2019

No one likes a snitch—and that’s a hard potion for young Wanda to swallow at Camp Spellbound, where tattling on her fellow witches inevitably gets her attention, but not the kind she craves. In dramatic reports to the Head Witch, Wanda calls out Wendy’s line cutting and Winnie’s fingerprints on the crystal ball, quickly alienating her from the other campers. When they’ve had enough, the witches-in-training secretly gather in the dungeon to cast a comeuppance-flavored spell that prevents Wanda from squealing. Though not everyone will agree with the deeply didactic messaging (“You only tell when someone is hurt, could get hurt, or you need help from a grown-up,” writes Sileo), Haley’s slightly spooky school backdrop (books, spiders) and the rambunctious cast in pointed hats may help the lesson go down easier. A guide for “Grown-Up Witches” addressing this behavior with children is included. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

Explains the difference between tattling and telling: Snitching gets people in trouble; telling is for unsafe conditions, when someone's hurt, or when you need help from a grown-up… text for grown-ups follow the tale, explaining snitching versus telling, why kids snitch, and what adults can do about it. Haley's artwork features dark backgrounds with brilliant splashes of vibrant colors and a diverse cast.” —Kirkus Reviews

“No one likes a snitch…spooky school backdrop (books, spiders) and the rambunctious cast in pointed hats may help the lesson go down easier.” —Publishers Weekly

“While children will relate to the characters in the book, they will also be instructed on how to tell the difference between tattling or “snitching” and telling. The large colorful illustrations and engaging text make a great read aloud. Adults could use this book to start a discussion about telling vs tattling. I highly recommend this book for libraries and classrooms for elementary aged children.” —Oregon Coast Youth Book Preview Center

“Snitchy Witch encourages children to think before they tattle, and to think about the impact their words will have on others.  It encourages them to see that there is a difference in snitching and telling.  It is a really cute story that your kids will love, with the added bonus of teaching a lesson.” —Westman Reviews

“There is a lot of fun word play and a great colorful cast of characters…. Snitchy Witch is a story kids will understand whether they are the tattler or the teller. This is a perfect book to tackle social skills with children at home or in the classroom.” —Children’s Books Heal

From the Publisher

2019-07-14
A young witch gets a lesson about tattling while away at camp.

Camp Spellbound draws witches from all around to race brooms, swap potions, hold cackling contests, and decorate their hats. But Wanda, who craves the attention of the Head Witch, ruins everyone's fun with her snitching. It isn't long before the other campers are refusing to interact with her at all. Clueless Wanda asks fellow camper Wyatt why. Wyatt explains the difference between tattling and telling: Snitching gets people in trouble; telling is for unsafe conditions, when someone's hurt, or when you need help from a grown-up. That night, some campers put a spell on Wanda to keep her from tattling. She can't tell the Head Witch that Winnie took an extra doughnut or that Wendy stole spell ingredients. But when she sees Elmira altering William's broom, which might cause an accident during the broom race, she must find a way to phrase the issue so it doesn't sound like a snitch, thereby earning back her voice…and her friends. Three pages of dense text for grown-ups follow the tale, explaining snitching versus telling, why kids snitch, and what adults can do about it. Haley's artwork features dark backgrounds with brilliant splashes of vibrant colors and a diverse cast. Wanda presents white and Wyatt, black.

The Halloween theme may help the didactic lesson go down, but this is a four-season issue. (Picture book. 3-8)

Kirkus Reviews