Room on the Broom - Julia Donaldson

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 ... Read review

Advantages: great story book
Disadvantages: none

'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' ... Read review

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 ... Read review

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 ... Read review

Advantages: See below
Disadvantages: See below

...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 ... Read review