Which Way to Witch School?

by Scott Santoro, Scott Santoro (Illustrator)

Overview

Miss Thornapple's school is not like most other schools—it's a school for little witches! Little witches must learn how magic broomsticks fly and how to whip up their own potions. And what's served for dinner in the dining hall? Gooey eyeballs! There's no telling what might happen at Miss Thornapple's school. But one thing is for sure: Even young witches have lessons to learn.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780060781835
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	06/26/2012
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	314,474
Product dimensions:	8.10(w) x 10.80(h) x 0.10(d)
Lexile:	AD940L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Scott Santoro isn't sure where he gets the ideas for his books; they usually come out of the blue. But if little witches are casting spells of inspiration, he's decided that's as good an explanation as any. He is the author and illustrator of Farm-Fresh Cats, Isaac the Ice-Cream Truck, and The Little Skyscraper. He also works as a story artist in animated feature films, most recently Flushed Away, Bee Movie, and the upcoming Gnomeo and Juliet.

Scott Santoro isn't sure where he gets the ideas for his books; they usually come out of the blue. But if little witches are casting spells of inspiration, he's decided that's as good an explanation as any. He is the author and illustrator of Farm-Fresh Cats, Isaac the Ice-Cream Truck, and The Little Skyscraper. He also works as a story artist in animated feature films, most recently Flushed Away, Bee Movie, and the upcoming Gnomeo and Juliet.

Editorial Reviews

Santoro transports readers (via flying bus) to Miss Thornapple’s school, following a group of young witches through a year’s worth of classes. This rhyming tale is anything but frightening--even scenes filled with cobwebs and lightning are brightened by color and smiling girls in matching school uniforms (including pointy hats). Santoro often stretches to make his rhymes work (“Sometimes they explore the haunted old forest./ It’s creepy enough to delight any tourist”), though the details of the school, from swimming in a swamp to learning the physics behind broom flight, should tickle readers. Ages 4-7. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

Gr 2—In rhyming couplets, Santoro presents Miss Thornapple's School for Witches. The girls are seen as they prepare for the journey ("Packing is simple,/it's done just like that./The trick is to get all your things in your hat"), travel by flying bus, and then engage in such activities as dining on eyeballs and tentacles, being able to swim in a swamp, and learning the physics behind flying broomsticks. The rhymes often seem forced ("Miss Zorch is their teacher in chemistry class,/which for a witch is important to pass"), making this an awkward read-aloud. Santoro's background as an animator is evident in both the perspectives and in the rather flat quality of the art, which resembles still shots from cartoons. Better stories about witches and about school abound.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

School Library Journal