--And Whoosh, they were gone!--
Room on the Broom is one of my favourite children’s books. As a mum and an English teacher, I am rather picky about my kids’ reading material; there are certain criteria that a book just must meet in order for me to give it my stamp of approval. In no particular ... Read review
Advantages: fun and stimulating Disadvantages: none
...were gone!--
Room on the Broom is one of my favourite children’s books. As a mum and an English teacher, I am rather picky about my kids’ reading material; there are certain criteria that a book just must meet in order for me to give it my stamp of approval. In no particular order, the book must have good stimulating pictures, not be too long or too short, poetry must scan, choice of words must be appropriate to the reading age of the ... ...the Gruffalo series of books. Room on the Broom is of a similar ilk, so if you and your kids like the Gruffalo you’ll like this one too.
The pictures are by Axel Scheffler, who deserves a mention for having a pretty cool name, if nothing else. But his artwork is fab and this book definitely meets my high expectations for having stimulating scenery. I think pictures are so important in kids’ books, as not only do they help them remember ... more
--And Whoosh, they were gone!--
Room on the Broom is one of my favourite children’s books. As a mum and an English teacher, I am rather picky about my kids’ reading material; there are certain criteria that a book just must meet in order for me to give it my stamp of approval. In no particular order, the book must have good stimulating pictures, not be too long or too short, poetry must scan, choice of words must be appropriate to the reading age of the child, the ending should suggest that bedtime is the next step (because mummy really needs to sit down with a glass of wine), and the pages ought to be relatively indestructible or at the very least taste foul. Whether or not there is a good, logical story in there is of lesser importance, especially when your three-year-old is a complete lunatic and doesn’t understand logic anyway, (which is most of them).
But! This book does have a neat story too, so that’s an added bonus for us grown-ups! In short, a witch (a good one), whilst riding on her traditional broomstick, loses various bits of clothing and accessories. As she hunts for her wayward apparel, she meets new anthropomorphic friends and they hop on the broom too, to join in her avian adventure. After the fourth addition to the broom, it breaks under their immense weight, and they all tumble down to the ground. Almost immediately, the witch is snatched up by a mean old dragon who wants to eat her. Luckily, her new-found friends collaborate to disguise themselves as a big scary monster and frighten the dragon away. The witch celebrates her narrow escape by magicking up a new broomstick for herself and her chums, but this time it’s the new deluxe version with all the mod-cons. For those who like moral stories, I guess it’s all about team-work. I prefer to think it’s about fraud being a means to undreamt of materialistic wealth, but perhaps that’s just me.
Julia Donaldson is more famous for writing the Gruffalo series of books. Room on the Broom is of a similar ilk, so if you and your kids like the Gruffalo you’ll like this one too.
The pictures are by Axel Scheffler, who deserves a mention for having a pretty cool name, if nothing else. But his artwork is fab and this book definitely meets my high expectations for having stimulating scenery. I think pictures are so important in kids’ books, as not only do they help them remember the story (which in turn aids comprehension and learning), but they also ignite the imagination. From the parent or carer’s point of view, pictures give extra scope for talking about the book – you don’t always have to stick to the printed word if the pictures are detailed enough for you to expand the story a bit. Scheffler’s illustrations are gorgeous – they are fun, beautifully coloured and shaded and full of lots of lovely little details, without overcrowding the picture.
The length of the book is just right, at 12 double page spreads, with each page being slightly larger than A4 (landscape). Each spread is done out a little differently, so there is a varying amount of text, and positioned in different areas of the page, which helps to maintain interest. The book usually takes me about 5-10 minutes to read aloud, but I can stretch it out a bit longer quite easily by using the pictures as a talking point, and it’s also quite easy to do a faster version by just missing out the odd verse here or there (be careful not to get caught out cheating like that though).
The poetry is great – lots of fun and with just the right amount of repetition. Too much repetition is boring, but it’s a shame not to have any at all, since kids learn so much more quickly when it’s used. Each time the witch has to land her broomstick to find her lost clothing, we hear “Down! cried the witch, and they flew to the ground, they searched for the XXXXX but no XXXXX could be found.” And as they take off again with the witch fully-dressed and a new friend on the broom, we hear “The witch tapped the broomstick and whoosh” they were gone!” The poetry reads really nicely – the words gel together well, they scan, Donaldson uses alliteration effectively (“moors and mountains” and “fields and forests they flew” etc), and the climax of the story allows the reader to put on some good old silly voices of growling and screeching that all toddlers will think absolutely wonderful.
The ending is not the most bedtime-friendly end in the world, but it’s ok. I prefer a final page where all the characters are tucked up soundly in bed, so that my girl is put in the right frame of mind. However, this books ends with the witch and her buddies flying off into the moonlight, with an owl watching them go, so it’s easy enough to suggest that they are all flying off to bed since it’s night time.
The pages are not particularly sturdy in this book. It’s quite a large size, but the paper is of a normal thickness, not reinforced for tiny podgy hands to grasp. As such, if your child attempts to turn the page too quickly, it will likely tear. My daughter tends to eat books she gets bored of, and we’ve had this one for about a year without a nibble to a corner, which is proof that it is worth conserving for another day and another read. In fact we read this one nearly every evening and it’s still looking remarkably unbattered. I tend to hide books which I get bored of reading but this one has remained a firm favourite with both myself and my daughter – more so than the Gruffalo, in fact.
The book is suitable for children from age 2 upwards. The upper age limit would depend on the child, but I guess around 7-8 years would be about right. RRP is £5.99, which is very reasonable I think.
Advantages: Great rhyming text and brilliantly illustrated! Disadvantages: Some children may be a little scared of the beast that emerges from the ditch!
...asks the witch if there's room on the broom for him;
"Yes! cried the witch and the dog clambered on. The witch tapped the broomstick and whoosh! they were gone."
And so the story continues with different things falling and the witch having to land the broomstick to hunt for them, each time a different animal finding the item and asking if there was room on the broom for them.
Due to the weight of the animals on the stick, it eventually gives way ... ...the dog and the frog.
Down they went tumbling into a bog.
The witch's half broomstick flew in to a cloud,
And the witch heard a roar that was scary and loud...'
The roar is that of a dragon who declares that he wants witch and chips for tea and so the chase begins. Exhausted the witch looks as if she has accepted her fate as the dragon draws nearer until.... from the bog appears a terrifying beast with four heads, wings, feathers and fur. It ...
neenn 22.04.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Room on the Broom - Julia Donaldson
'Room on the Broom' is an absolutely delightful picture book written by Julia Donaldson (who also wrote 'The Gruffalo' and 'The Smartest Giant in Town'). In this book she has collaborated with Axel Scheffler who is a wonderful illustrator.
Before you even open the book, you are drawn into the story by the picture on the front cover which shows a witch flying on her broomstick with her cat, cauldron and her magic wand. She is wearing traditional ... ...She even has a wart on her nose. However, we know she is going to be a friendly witch because she has a smile on her face and both she and her cat look happy!
The storyline in 'Room on the Broom' is really quite simple but engrossing. The witch and her cat are flying along when the wind blows off her hat. Immediately they land in order to look for it, and eventually they see that a dog has it. He gives it back and asks if there is 'room on the broom' ...
kingfisher111 30.11.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Room on the Broom - Julia Donaldson
Advantages: Suitable for all ages, colourful, lovely story Disadvantages: pricey, huge for little hands
My two year old son loves books and as my friend worls in a bookshop I can guarantee what his Christ mas present was going to be! Of course, a book!
This Christmas, I was not quite prepared for the book he was going to receive.
The parcel was about 40cm square and thin and bendy. On opening the present, I saw a bold colourful front cover with the title 'Room on the Broom', Itis illustrated with a witch with a crooked nose and a wart, wearing the ... ...top and purple skirt to match her orange bow in her ginger hair, I can not give any points for dress sense! (Sorry, I was trying to be funny!) She is carrying a cauldron in one hand and her wand in the other. Riding the broom with her is a ginger stripey cat.
The author is Julia Donaldson and the illustrater is Axel Schleffer. The book is from a series called 'BIG BOOKS' (for obvious reasons) They are new publications (2003) of Ted Smart. There ...
kerryzach 07.01.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Room on the Broom - Julia Donaldson
Advantages: Great fun for adults as well as children, encourages child participation through rhyming and reptive lines. Disadvantages: None whatsoever
...as can be, is there room on the broom for a dog like me?'. The dog joins the witch and the cat. The story continues with the witch losing various items (a very careless witch!) and having to land to search for them. Each item that is lost is found by an animal who then joins the witch on the broom. As well as the cat and dog, there is also a bird and frog. Eventually the broom snaps in two and all the animals fall to the ground. The witch remains ... ...a cloud, she is then confronted by a fire breathing dragon who fancies 'witch and chips' for his tea. Just as the dragon is about to enjoy his 'feast' , a horrible 'beast' (the four animals covered in mud) rises from a ditch. The 'beast' shouts 'Buzz off, that's my witch', the dragon leaves the witch and goes away. The witch is very grateful and casts a spell, creating a luxury broom with fitted seats for herself and all the animals.
My conclusion
...
jippo 15.01.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Room on the Broom - Julia Donaldson
...to change. I bought Room On The Broom from the Early Learning Centre and it cost me the princely sum of £5.99 in paperback. The book itself is written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, the same people who did The Gruffalo (another favourite of my daughter and myself), The Smartest Giant In Town and Monkey Puzzle. The front cover shows a witch and her cat on a broomstick flying through a starlit sky over a stream. The stars and ... ...all ages. I find Room On The Broom a pleasure to read, and after reading it at least twice a day for 4 days I’m only getting into it more. Mia can’t read it for herself yet, but by looking at the pictures she makes a damn good effort of “reading” the story back to me. I think that if a child can tell a story from the pictures alone, that’s got to tell you something about a book.
Published by Macmillan Children’s Books
ISBN 0-333-90338-2 Paperback
...
Dodie 26.05.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Room on the Broom - Julia Donaldson
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Advantages: The perfect formula for getting children engaged in reading. Disadvantages: None, if you buy the board book. Paperback gets worn out more quickly!
This board book is a definite must. We started off with the paperback version and have read it so many times it's falling to bits!
My two boys aged 5 years and 3 years, both love joining in with the amusing rhyming story that has repetitive words and phrases perfect for getting children involved.
The story has all the necessary ingredients to entertain children, a witch, a dragon, spells, an assortment of animals, and of course a wonderfully silly and happy ending!
The illustrations are just as captivating with plenty of hidden gems, such as insects and animals to search for and discuss adding an extra dimension to the book.
Anyone who has read any of the other books written and illustrated by JuliaDonaldson and Axel Scheffler, (The Gruffalo being a personal favourite) will know that these picture books are both a joy ...
Advantages: Fantastic Book with Amazing illustrations Disadvantages: None
Room On The Broom is written by JuliaDonaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffer. Fantastic book wih amazing illustrations.
JuliaDonaldson is best known for her prize-winning picture books, but she began her career as a singer and a songwriter, and even spent time busking round Italy and France. She continues to perform her stories, songs and plays to sell out audiences and is the most celebrated writer for young children in Britain today.
Axel Scheffer is a star of children's book illustration. His many books have been published in over 30 countries and he has brought to life characters as varied as a dim-witted butterfly, a scruffy giant, an itrepid snail and a Ticklemetoo not to mention a gruffalo or two.
JuliaDonaldson is one of my favourite childrens book writers. Room on the broom is clever, charming, witty ...
The witch acompanied by a striped cat go for a ride on her broom but it is a very windy and blustery night, before long the witches hat blows away in the wind, they go to find it only to find that a spotted dog has already found the hat, he returns it and asks for a ride on the broom stick so off they fly, the witch, the cat and the dog but before long the witches hair bobble blows away and when they find it a green parot has it and agrees to return it in return for a go on her broom, she agrees and once again the witch, the cat, the dog and the paroty fly off into the sky.
All of a suddent the wind blows the witches magic wand off and they have to go and find it, it is on the bottom of a pond and a helpful frog offers to fetch it for her in return for a go on her broom stick so she agrees and once again they fly off, the witch, thee ...
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