JoAnne Nelson (1) (1936–)

A group of witches decide to fly to the moon on the Summer Solstice in this rhyming early-reader from JoAnne Nelson, but their little sister keeps forgetting various things she needs for the trip. From her broom to her hat, her cat to her light, she searches for each item, until finally she is ready to join the others...

Originally published in 1989 as part of Price Stern Sloan Publishing's Read Again Sing Again collection, The Witches' Little Sister is a fun read-along tale for beginning readers. The 1989 edition, which I read, was illustrated by Jerry Zimmerman in a colorful, cartoonish style that, although not really to my taste, will no doubt prove entertaining for younger children. I understand that a second edition was published in 2007, with artwork by Jack McLellan, but I have not seen that version. Although no mention is specifically made of the solstice here, the story opens on that day - "The witches had a meeting / on the 21st of June, / and decided they'd go riding / in and out around the moon" - which surely cannot be an accident. I therefore decided to add this to my "Summer Solstice" shelf, despite the lack of further connection. Recommended to early readers who enjoy witchy fare.… (más)

I like this book because of the repitition and the rhyme. The book continuesly repeats "but peanut butter and jelly is my favorite thing to eat" this makes this book an awesome shared reading or whole group read so the students can join in with the teacher. It also is great for fluency. Secondly, I like this book because of the rhyme. "I often eat potatoes and gravy with my meat; but peanut butter and jelly is my favorite thing to eat," the rhyme scheme throughout the book makes it predictable and good for young, new readers. Overall the purpose of this book was to entertain.… (más)