The Widow's Broom [Hardcover]

Chris Van Allsburg (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

A widow finds herself in possession of an extraordinary broom left by a witch who fell into the widow's garden.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"Witches' brooms don't last forever. They grow old, and even the best of them, one day, lose the power of flight.... On very rare occasions, however, a broom can lose its power without warning, and fall, with its passenger, to the earth below ... which is just what happened one cold autumn night many years ago." So begins The Widow's Broom, the gentle, strangely captivating book by Chris Van Allsburg, who received Caldecott medals for Jumanji and The Polar Express.

The story gets under way when the lonely widow Minna Shaw finds a wounded, sky-fallen witch in her vegetable garden. The witch disappears before dawn, but leaves her old, presumably defunct broom behind. Minna begins to use it around the house and finds that "it was no better or worse than brooms she'd used before." However, one morning, Minna sees the broom sweeping by itself! Opportunistically, she trains it to chop wood and fetch water.

When the neighbors find out about this "wicked, wicked thing" (posing as an innocent, hardworking broom), they accost the widow and demand that the broom be burned. Are they successful in separating the lonely widow and her diligently sweeping friend? This is a wonderfully suspenseful book to read aloud and young listeners will earnestly hope for the broom's survival. Still, older, wiser readers, ages 8 and older, will be swept up in the story, too.

From Publishers Weekly

When Minna Shaw comes into possession of a witch's broom, it is as if good fortune itself has dropped from the sky. The broom sweeps on its own and does other chores; it can even pick out simple tunes on the piano. The widow's ignorant neighbors hate and torment the implement, though, fearing what they cannot understand; but in the end the widow and her broom triumph. This resonant tale, one of its gifted author/illustrator's most impressive efforts, effectively draws on mystery and whimsy alike--both human nature and the supernatural are powerful forces here. Van Allsburg's grainy, sepiatone illustrations variously evoke brooding, suspicion, grandeur, humor and serenity. Many individual pictures are haunting--amid a tangle of squash vines, for example, lies the fallen witch, with only one of her hands visible--and in composite they reverberate powerfully indeed. The narrative's subtle conclusion will evoke pleasurable shudders, as readers (gradually, perhaps) become aware of what has transpired. Both visually and narratively, a provocative and altogether satisfying work. All ages.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children; First Edition edition (September 28, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395640512
• ISBN-13: 978-0395640517
• Product Dimensions: 13.6 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,367 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > Children's Books > Holidays & Celebrations > Halloween

More About the Author

Chris Van Allsburg is the winner of two Caldecott Medals, for Jumanji and The Polar Express, as well as the recipient of a Caldecott Honor Book for The Garden of Abdul Gasazi. The author and illustrator of numerous picture books for children, he has also been awarded the Regina Medal for lifetime achievement in children's literature. In 1982, Jumanji won the National Book Award and in 1996, it was made into a popular feature film. Chris Van Allsburg was formerly an instructor at the Rhode Island School of Design. He lives in Rhode Island with his wife and two children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One Good Turn Deserves Another, November 26, 2002

By 

Terrie (Little Chute, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Widow's Broom (Hardcover)

Witches' brooms don't last forever. One day while the Widow Minna Shaw is out in her garden just such a witch's broom finally runs out of flying power and the witch plummets to the ground and lies injured in Minna's garden. Without a second thought the kindly Minna brings the witch inside and after tucking her into a quiet place allows her to rest comfortably while the witch heals herself. After the witch has recovered and magically summoned a ride home, Minna discovers that she has left the old broom behind. It may not have much in the way of flying power any more but it turns out to have quite a bit of spunk left in it! Nosey neighbors automatically assume that because it is magical it must be evil and they set out to destroy it. Chris Van Allsburg is in peak form in this wonderful book. His writing is so mysterious and evocative yet filled with his characteristic wry humor. The story is sweetly spooky with just the right hint of shadow and a generous sprinkling of mischief. The illustrations are absolutely perfect. The familiar style of almost sepia toned illustrations are filled with exquisite details and wonderful expressions and activity. The meddlesome neighbors have a Salem flavor to them while the witch seems mysterious and magical. Minna is delightfully understated and open to the changes. We are treated to a fun-filled Van Allsburg plot change-up at the end. Don't miss this one. It's great for Halloween or any time. I think it's his best.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book "sweeps" the category for "Best Gotcha"!, February 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Widow's Broom (Hardcover)

Fabulous illustration aside, this wonderful story offers a new take on the "sweet little old lady". When her community begins to bully her about her helpful broom, she solves her problem in a fashion that would put the fox to shame. Every fanciful child should have this book read-aloud to them enthusiastically and often!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for all ages, October 16, 2005

By 

S. Geeck "wizardoz30" (Nebraska) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Widow's Broom (Hardcover)

I am 23 and plan to teach at the secondary level, but when we read this book in one of my education classes I knew I had to share it. I bought it, went to a first grade classroom and they were hooked. Many wanted to hear it again, others wanted to get a copy for themselves, still others just wanted to look at the magnificent pictures again. It is a fabulous book and a wonderful story!