The Witch's Child

by: Arthur Yorinks; illustrated by Joseph A. Smith

Published by: Abrams Books for Young Readers

Reviewed by Elysabeth Eldering

The Witch’s Child takes us through the journey of a wicked witch creating a rag doll “child” and trying to make it come to life. Because of her meanness, the child never comes to life.

The witch has turned all the kids in the neighborhood into bushes and shrubs. She goes off, and then a lost little girl who isn’t under the witch’s spell wanders into the house and finds the doll. She loves on it and uses the “child” for protection. Because of the nurturing nature of the little girl, the doll comes to life, and in the end protects the girl from the witch.

When they defeat the witch, all the kids turn back into kids again and the world is as it should be; everyone is happy and free; kids are playing like kids are supposed to play, and there are no worries.

The illustrations are kind of gloomy and dark but these convey the darkness that wicked witches have. I would have known what the story was about by looking at the pictures if there were no words on the pages.

Armchair Interviews says: This was a well written, fun story and equally well illustrated book.