Space Witch

As usual, Don Freeman (who also did "Corduroy" and "Beady the Bear", "Norman the Doorman", etc.) gives us a book full of fun illustrations! This time he uses what appears to be block prints (from wood or linoleum cuts) to depict this naughty little witch's space-bound adventures. Tilly Ipswitch, Queen of Halloween, has been spending time at the planetarium, and decides that this Halloween, she is going to one-up her old tricks, and try frightening creatures on *other* planets for a change! Despite her cat Kit's lack of enthusiasm about the project, she sets to work designing her rocket ship, which she names "The Zoom Broom." Using her magic spells and liberal amounts of silly putty, she concocts a plastic-like material that will be light enough for the job, and using a mold carved out of an old dinosaur tooth(?!), she sets to work bringing her design to life. Kit finds himself captive as she shuts them into the cockpit, and only the promise that they will soon be in the Milky Way (mmm! milk!) keep him from throwing a complete hissy fit. Will Tilly find creatures to scare? Will Kit be able to stand their long journey? Will they ever find their way back? And what if they run out of fuel?! Tensions are high, and Tilly, as usual, must find her way out of the mess she's created. A crash landing and a great twist ending prove to Tilly that the best place to be on Halloween is Earth, and the best broom is a plain old one. Kit couldn't agree more! Meow!