The Witch’s Britches

The Witch’s Britches by P. Crumble, illustrated by Lucinda Gifford (Scholastic Australia)

PB RRP $14.99

ISBN 978-1-76015-153-9

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

What would happen if it started raining magical underwear? Ethel, a young witch, is about to find out. A gust of wind steals her britches from her washing line and blows them off towards the park. Can Ethel catch up to them before too much magical damage is done?

Crumble is very clever with humorous rhyme. Her stories always have great imagination and silly situations which children love. The Witch’s Britches is a funny story with a catchy rhythm.

Each week she washed her britches with care.

Her magic relied on clean underwear.

The vibrant illustrations add to the fun and it is through them that the personalities of Ethel and her cat emerge. Along with the colour and movement, there is plenty to see in the pictures when you look closely; the seasons changing outside the window, what people are doing before the magic undies hit, and many other subtle details.

This is a story which will engage preschool children, hit their funny bones and be read many times.