The Witch Under the Stairs

Love, love, love this book! It is/was a favorite of both my boys. My youngest son who is now four requests this one on a very regular basis. I first bought it as a Halloween book, but we read it much more often than that. And it's not really meant for Halloween anyway, it's just that it's about a witch and a little girl who is afraid to go down into the basement. The little girl eventually overcomes her fear of the witch and the witch moves out! The pictures are fantastic and my son often makes me wait while he examines pages. I enjoy reading this one, too. It's told completely from the point of view of the child - the witch REALLY is there and we see her every time the girl descends the stairs. Her coping mechanisms are realistic and humorous - taking her little brother with her, offering old Halloween candy, offering a new broom, special spells.... but what finally gets that old witch out of there is the little girl's ability to finally overcome her fear. Why would a witch stay is no one is afraid, anyway?! Highly, highly recommended!

This book delights my daughter over and over again! And I don't dread reading it over and over again! I like it because it subtly reminds us that the best antidote to our deepest fear is courage to face it. Once Frances finds the courage to confront the witch and venture into the basement alone, she sees that the witch is gone. It's is a very empowering message embedded in a fantastic kid's story. The illustrations are also very interesting to my daughter. She especially likes the one with the cross-section of the house. Frances imagines that the witch has captured her and everyone in Frances's family is looking for her all over the house. But she is tied up in the basement. My daughter likes to "instruct" the searching family, "Hey, look in the basement!!" And her eyes always get big when she sees the witch's hands coming out from the stairs to grab Frances. (This sounds a bit scary as I am writing it, but it's not at all. All this is handled with comic relief). A great story. It would make a great Halloween gift!

I read this book to the younger classes that I substitute for. Their eyes are wide open and they sit very still; quietly listening to every words. Whenever we need a quiet time I get out this book.

This book has gotten wonderful reviews from educators and kids alike. My preschool twins love it and request it from their teachers regularly. I'd like to get it from our local library but it's out of print. Why don't the publishers note the requests and make paperback copies?

This book is to date the most favorite book for all my children!