About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is starting to navigate the social complexities of making room for new friends or feeling the pressure of group dynamics. It is an ideal choice for modeling how kindness and inclusivity create a stronger community than exclusion ever could. The story follows a gentle witch who welcomes a series of animals onto her broom, despite her cat's initial skepticism. When disaster strikes in the form of a hungry dragon, it is this very ragtag group of friends who work together to save her. It is a masterful blend of humor and heart that reinforces the idea that there is always room for one more, and that our differences are what make a team invincible. Perfectly suited for ages 3 to 7, it provides a safe space to discuss bravery and mutual support.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The witch is briefly threatened by a dragon who intends to eat her, which may be frightening for very sensitive children, though the resolution is humorous rather than violent.
Ideal Reader
A preschooler or kindergartner who is learning to share or who might be nervous about a 'scary' monster but enjoys a funny twist that empowers the smaller characters.
Parent Prep
This book is best read 'cold' with plenty of character voices. You may want to use the story as a springboard to discuss social dynamics, such as sharing or how to include others in a group. No specific context is needed, as the internal logic of the world is self-explanatory.
Age Experience
For a 3-year-old, the focus is on the repetitive rhythm, the animal sounds, and the physical comedy of the broom snapping. For a 6-year-old, the focus shifts to the social dynamics of the cat's jealousy and the cleverness of the animals' plan to trick the dragon.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many witch stories that focus on spells or spookiness, this is a story about hospitality and the 'found family' dynamic, told through Julia Donaldson's iconic, flawless meter.
Read plot summary
A witch and her cat lose several items while flying through a storm. Each item is found by a different animal (a dog, a bird, and a frog), and in exchange for returning the items, each animal asks for a seat on the broom. The witch says yes every time, much to the cat's chagrin. Eventually, the broom snaps under the weight, and the witch is nearly eaten by a red dragon. Her animal friends disguise themselves as a terrifying 'mud monster' to scare the dragon away, proving the power of their new bond.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
At first, the cat didn't seem very happy about the other animals joining. Why do you think he felt that way, and how did he feel at the very end?
2
The witch said 'Yes!' to every animal who asked for a ride. What does that tell us about her character?
3
When the dragon arrived, the animals worked together to make a 'mud monster.' What are some things we can do better as a team than we can do alone?
4
If you were designing a 'magnificent broom' like the one at the end of the story, what special seats or features would you add for your friends?
