PPBF: One Witch

Author: Laura Leuck
Illustrator: S.D. Schindler

Publisher: Walker & Company, 2003
Age Level: 3-8
Themes: witches, Halloween, counting, stories in rhyme
Opening: One witch / on a hill / had an empty pot / to fill.
Summary: (from Kirkus Reviews) In jaunty rhyme, one witch gathers up a fish tail from two cats, a blackbird’s claw from three scarecrows, and similarly appetizing ingredients from similarly iconic ookie-spookies, up to the spider’s soup donated by ten werewolves.
Why I like this book: I admit I fell for the illustrations first, especially the fine pen line textures, and subtle contrast of dark red tongues and sharp white teeth, even tthe spectrum-opposing harmonies.

But I soon came to admire the simple yet horrific list of cauldron ingredient . Just yucky enough!
Resources/Activities: discuss symbols of Halloween and their origins; invite students to contribute imaginary ingredients to ‘add’ to the list, more in mucky measure!

For more Perfect Picture Book Friday picks, including teacher resources and activities, go to Susanna Hill’s blog.