Customer Reviews

Room on the Broom

5 star:		(93)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

My 3.5-year-old son loves this book. The illustrations are clever and charming and the simple, repetitive rhymes are perfect for young listeners. It is a joy to read aloud. It is one of my top 10 books to give as a gift. A witch and her cat are flying around and encounter three other animals that would like to know if there is room on the broom for an animal like them. The reply is always an enthusiastic "Yes!" (Now who wouldn't like a ride on a broom?) This book is generally not found on bookstore shelves because it is considered a Halloween book, but it is fun reading any time of year. After numerous renewals from the library, we purchased our own copy. (We also own and highly recommend "The Spiffiest Giant in Town" and "The Gruffalo.")

When our Amazon ordered book came in the mail, my husband read it and noticed that his favorite line said by the dragon, "witch without fries" is not in the book! We like the original verse, "The dragon drew near with a glint in his eyes, and said, "Just this once I'll have witch without fries." That has been replaced with "The dragon drew nearer and started to drool. He said, "I won't let you go- do you think I'm a fool?"

I believe the publisher has corrected the problem. Either way, you'll be happy to own it! Every time I am in the children's section of my local library, I look up Donaldson on the shelves and take out her books to put up on top for parents to see it and easily grab it. Children (and parents) get a beautifully illustrated story which highlight friendship, cooperation, politeness and generosity. (My son is 6 now and my daughter is 2. I love that I can still read this book to them and they love it!)

What a fun book for Halloween or anytime!

The book offers a gentle lesson in cooperation as the animals work together to rescue their friend. (It's a dirty job, but somebody had to do it--you'll see what I mean when you read the book.)

The rhymes work well for reading aloud and the vividly colored illustrations are full of details that little children will want to look at again and again.

For the most part the characters are smiling (except, of course, when the dragon tries to eat the witch). Even the youngest child will not feel threatened by either the characters or the plot.

I have a feeling this is going to be the featured story at my Halloween story hours this year.

Funny, that this is the first book my husband picks up every night to read to our daughter. He asked me to buy all of her books! He loves her style and the illustrations are excellent. My daughter loves this book and it is not scary at all! Buy this book and her others you will not be disappointed!

We loved this book when we checked it out from the library. Unfortunately, in the copy we ordered, two of the best verses were changed. Fortunately there were some other reviews talking about this problem, so I knew to check. What a disappointment--the "witch with french fries sounds delicious to me!" and "I think just this once I'll have witch without fries" lines are some of my son's favorites. In the changed version they are replaced with bland alternatives, and one verse doesn't even scan anymore. Many thanks to the reviewers who alerted me, or I would have had a very confused and sad little birthday boy.

This is one of the big favourite books with the kids at our playcentre. It is gloriously good humoured, wonderfully illustrated, and very affectionate. It is about an (unamed witch) who is flying along, first she drops her hat, then her bow, then her wand. Each time an animal finds it for her and brings it back - then joins her on the broom.

Then, when her broom breaks in half a dragon tries to eat her, but she is saved by her animals, and they ride off on a 'truly magnificent broom'. Happy endings for everyone all round - well maybe except the dragon who goes hungry. Interestingly, the british version does not have 'witch withou fries' - as fries are the Americanisation - the British version has 'witch without chips'. I notice there are at least two variations on this cultural difference, and nice to see it - I think the chips one works best, (well it does for me anyway)

Lovely illustrations, bright, clear and colourful. Very likeable characters drawn. The real magic is in the words - it is a rhyming poem throughout and very very clever - nice rhythm and the children can anticipate it well. We use it to act out during our sessions too which the children really love. there is a great deal to do and think about to extend children's learning from this - as well as social lessons (cooperation, good nature, helping your friends).

This is just a perfect book for reading aloud.
My children never tire of hearing the lyrical prose and I have read it in classrooms too with all eyes and ears glued to the words.
Julia Donaldson has a way to make the book enticing to the child and still very enjoyable for the adult who reads it to them.
The illustrations are beautiful too.
I highly recommend this and in fact all of Julia's books.

My girls, ages two and four, love this book and so do I! It's a clever rhyme and a sweet story that teaches a subtle lesson about how doing things for others can ultimately benefit oneself. I also appreciate how everything is not spelled out for the reader and there are some portions near the end that the child has to figure out. Very clever -- my favorite Halloween book this year. Nevertheless, this book is not Halloween-specific, and is definitely appropriate for any time of the year.

I have kids ages six and seven. I started reading this book to them when they were about four and they have loved it since then. Even though they have had it for a few years, they still take it out to read, that's a good sign!

We have all Julia Donaldson's books and this is one of the best. It is a pleasure to read and the charecters are great fun. Both my girls, especialy my [younger daughter], loves this book.

Several animals ask to ride with the witch on her broom. She makes room for them. When the broom is smashed, the witch uses magic to make a better and very comfortable broom to accommodate her friends. A delightful story with wonderful pictures. I recommend it highly.