BOOK COVER IMAGE:
BOOK SUMMARY:
This is a story about an orphan named Erica Wigg, whom everyone calls Eagwig. She has just been adopted by a very unusual couple, but as Earwig said herself, the people who adopt her would have to be strange in some way. As it turns out, Earwig has been adopted by Bella, a Witch and her husband, The Mandrake, who is never to be disturbed. Earwig is somewhat excited by this new arrangement as it means she could learn magic. However, she soon discovers that Bella only intends to use Earwig as her personal slave and to help the witch create potions and concoctions to be sold to paying customers. Afraid of retaliation from Bella, Earwig complies with her orders even though the witch refuses to teach her magic. One night, while drawing on her bed, Thomas the cat begins to speak and warns Earwig that she needs to stop drawing ugly pictures of the Mandrake because it is upsetting him. Earwig is surprised and delighted that Thomas can speak and she forms a new friend, albeit strange. It is through Thomas that she learns how to make a special potion which will ward off any magic that Bella might pose on her or Thomas. Thomas is especially tired of being given worms by Bella, so he is all to eager to help. The spend an entire night creating a the special mixture and rub it all over their bodies as instructed by the recipe. Unsure if it has worked, the two are still cautious around Bella. However, Earwig becomes irritated due to lack of sleep and becomes disobedient. Bella sends her and Thomas to the bedroom and "gives them worms," but to Earwig's delight, the worms are not in their bodies and they are certain the magic has worked. In an attempt to hide the worms, Earwig fits them through a small hole in the bathroom but forgets that the hole leads to the Mandrake's den. Soon, the Mandrake is running through but not towards Earwig; instead, he reprimands Bella and commands that she teach Earwig properly. The Mandrake, it seems, is actually a very nice man and begins to treat Earwig like a real child. Earwig's wish has come true and she begins to learn magic and begins to feel wanted.
APA REFERENCE OF BOOK:
Jones, D.W. (2012). Earwig and the Witch. New York: Harper Collins.
IMPRESSIONS:
This is a science-fiction story that has a deeper theme, involving orphans and adoptions and the issues involved when a family selects a child for the wrong reason. However, the light-heartedness of Earwig and the witches involved make for a fun read. Earwig is not a highly sensitive child and therefore, she is able to deal with witches for parents very easily, even accepting it the first time she learns of their peculiarities. A pleasant surprise is that the Mandrake turns out to be a good parent to Earwig, understanding that she must be taught things and even punishing Bella for not being more patient and sensitive to Earwig's needs. It's nice to know that Earwig's adoption ends pleasantly and that she learns magic in the process.
PROFESSIONAL REVIEW:
"From the start, readers of this early chapter book fantasy will know that Earwig is not your average orphan in distress. With her “very strong personality,” she is perfectly happy at St. Morwald’s, mostly because “everyone, from Mrs. Briggs the Matron to the newest and smallest children, did exactly what Earwig wanted.” So when she is adopted by an unpleasant witch named Bella Yaga (whose only interest in Earwig, it turns out, is as slave labor) and her horned, nine-foot-tall, fire-demon companion, we’re not as worried as we might be. And indeed in very short order Earwig has made a friend in the witch’s familiar, a talking cat, and has teamed up with him to get her own back. This little fillip of a novel is over almost before it begins, but while it lasts readers are treated to a nonstop plot, memorable characters, and signature DWJ touches: a bungalow that is much bigger on the inside than it is on the outside; demons who enjoy prosaic pub food. An accessible page design incorporates Zelinsky’s plentiful line illustrations, the best of which (Bella Yaga pinching herself with the two extra hands Earwig has magicked her with, the fire-demon walking through a wall) are showstoppers. For younger readers, a worthy introduction to the delights of the late, lamented master fantasist - Martha V. Parravano
Reference:
Parravano, M.V. (2012). Earwig and the witch [Review of the book Earwig and the Witch]. Horn Book Magazine, 88(2), 110-111.
LIBRARY USES:
This children's novel can be used in a book display on the topic of witches. It is not as known as the Harry Potter series and could be a good book to recommend for children seeking additional books on the topic.
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