
Twitchy Witchy Itch
Priscilla Tey, Author and Illustrator
Candlewick Press, Fiction, Jun. 24, 2021
Suitable for ages: 4-8
Themes: Witches, Tea Party, Cleaning, Being yourself, Friendship
Opening: “In just ten minutes, the clock would chime tea o-clock. In just ten minutes, Itch the witch would have two witchy neighbors over for tea.”
Book Jacket Synopsis:
Tick, tock! / Three cups. / Tick tock! / Three saucers.
With nine minutes left, everything is ready. Or is it? As the clock counts down to tea o’clock, Itch the witch’s mind is in a tizzy: Is her house too twitchy? If her home to itchy? Zippity-zoom! Itch grabs a duster and broom. What spell will she say? The guests are already on their way!
Why I like this book:
Priscilla Tey’s charming story carries a sweet message for kids about how important it is to be yourself at all times. Witchy Itch’s neighbors love her home just as it is and have a grand time at tea.
The language is entertaining and repetitive, includes a few tongue twisters and a lot of fun words: Swish, swash, zipity-zoom, kaboom, witchity-woosh, ka-boosh, itchy, and twitchy. This will make for a delightful read aloud. It is a perfect seasonal read with Halloween approaching.
Tey’s lively illustrations are quirky colorful, and a tad eccentric. Just look at that cover! The expression on Itch’s face shows the growing panic she feels as spells go wrong and mayhem wins. I also love the mice, bugs, spiders. lizards and cute monkey that live in her home. Make sure you study each page because there may be some other hidden animals.
Resources: With Halloween approaching encourage kids to draw a picture of a witch doing something unusual and fun: having a pajama party, riding a skateboard, racing a car/broom, or sitting by a campfire roasting something. Be creative.
Priscilla Tey is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design. Her first book for children, In-Between Thing, was called “unique and thought-provoking” by School Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly praised her “quirky, ingenious, and highly disciplined” aesthetic. A native of Singapore, Priscilla Tey returned home after completing her degree and splits her time between illustrating and teaching.
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books (PPB) with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.
*Review copy provided by Candlewick in exchange for a review.
Sounds adorable.
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Love the cover! It is an adorable book.
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Great choice, P. I’m not sure a witch or a house could be too itchy, but once my furs were too itchy. I had to take medicine and wear a cone AND A BABY SOCK on my scratching paw! Get it together, witch, or that could be you!
Love and licks,
Cupcake
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Thanks for putting a smile on my face today, Cupcake! Her name is Itch.
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Perfect timing on your review. A parent was just asking me about a not too scary witch themed book for her 6 year old who is going to be a witch on Halloween. Thanks for featuring this fun sounding tale today.
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This is not scary at all. It is a lot of fun and quite adorable. Perfect for those who don’t like spooky/creepy!
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This sounds like such fun! And perfectly timed for Halloween. Thanks for the heads up, Patricia!
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Yes, a fun read for children. And a great message!
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This looks like such a fun book. And those words are so fun to say aloud. Thanks for feature it.
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You’re right it would make a good read aloud and discussion book. Kids will have fun with Twitchy Witch Itch!
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This one sounds perfect for kids (and adults) who love to play with language. I can’t wait to read it – and definitely going to read it out loud even if only to myself!
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I love authors who are talented with language — and this story certainly has a lot of tongue twisters.
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What a fun, new book for Halloween!
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It can be a book read throughout the year because of the wonderful message. But, Halloween would be a fun time, too!
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This one looks terrific! I’ll have to take your resources prompt in earnest too!
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