The Witch's Handbook

Priscilla Galloway was an English consultant in Willowdale, Ontario.

This amazing compendium will appeal particularly to would-be witches aged seven to twelve years old. It includes spells and superstitions, recipes and crafts, gardening and fortune-telling — all the things a successful witch needs to know.

The knitted skull and crossbones cap and scarf look interesting, but the recipes particularly appeal. As Bird tells us, “Some of the ingredients used by witches in cooking are now difficult to find, and only very old witches are strong enough to digest most of them.” Anyone else must substitute spaghetti for worms, raisins and currants for dead flies, and flaked almonds for toenail clippings. Sordid Savouries and Dubious Trifle might be popular at other times of the year as well as Halloween. Kids are not likely to be queasy, although adults will benefit from a strong stomach and a robust sense of humour.

Bird begins gently by depicting some suitable witch-homes (e.g., bat tower or mill with free electricity), and unsuitable ones (town house with nosy neighbours, or tent on a windy crag). Quickly, however, the illustrations get grottier: the larder, for instance, is graphically replete with frogspawn spread, used tealeaf muesli, poisoned apples, rotten potatoes, mouldy herbs, and cuckoo-spit champagne.

The book consists mostly of illustrations, with items tastefully (ugh!) labeled. There is little consecutive text. Youngsters who don’t read very well will have little difficulty. The book would also be a good basis for storytelling.

This book’s only claim to Canadianism is its co-publication in Canada. Malcolm Bird is British; the book was developed and written in Yorkshire. Nonetheless, Canadian children also are fascinated by the occult; this highly creative book can provide many hours of fun.