Jean Lewis

When King Digaling hears mysterious clanking noises coming from the basement of Castle Dingaling, he immediately jumps to the conclusion that his home is haunted, summoning Wacky Witch to solve the problem. Discovering that it is the Midnight Knight, intent on stealing the royal gold, who is the true culprit, Wacky Witch's hex has an unintended consequence: hiding the great chest of treasure—even from herself! Now the day on which King Dingaling gives out his own weight in gold to his subjects has arrived, and the chest is nowhere to be found. Can Wacky Witch fix her mistake and save the day again...?

Published in 1973, Wacky Witch and the Mystery of the King's Gold is the second picture-book I have read featuring this somewhat befuddled magic-maker, following upon the 1971 Wacky Witch: The Royal Birthday. The character starred in a twenty-volume comic book series that ran from 1971 through 1975, put out by Gold Key, the comics imprint of Western Publishing Company. Western also owned Whitman Books, which published Wacky Witch: The Royal Birthday, as well as Little Golden Books, which published this title, as well as two paperback picture-books (Wacky Witch's Cookbook and Wacky Witch: Ghastly Guests) in 1996. Although I don't think Wacky Witch is destined to become one of my favorite witchy heroines, I am pleased to become better acquainted with her, as part of my "witchy-witches" project. The story here is simple but entertaining, and the artwork colorful and immediate, in a cartoon-like way. Recommended to picture-book readers who enjoy witchy fare done in a more humorous, comic book vein.… (mehr)

When King Dingaling orders Wacky Witch to prepare the best birthday party ever for his favorite nephew, Prince Ping, that somewhat muddled magic-maker, thinking she is phoning Burwood Forest Bakery, instead rings up those cheese-stealing outlaws, Bobin and his Merry Mice (Nott and Ham, by name). On the day of the party, when the promised cheesecake does not materialize, and the Royal Cheese is found to be missing, the error comes to light. Fortunately, Wacky Witch is able to set all to rights, with her magic...

In 1971, the Wacky Witch comic book series was launched by Gold Key, the comics imprint of Western Publishing Company, whose other properties included the famous Little Golden Books imprint. The comic book series ran from 1971 through 1975, and included twenty issues. Also released in 1971, Wacky Witch: The Royal Birthday was a small picture-book published by Whitman Books, another Western Publishing imprint. A Little Golden Book picture-book followed in 1973 (Wacky Witch and the Mystery of the King's Gold), and then, many years later, in 1996, two paperback Little Golden Books picture-books - Wacky Witch's Cookbook and Wacky Witch: Ghastly Guests - were issued. Despite my interest in witchy picture-books, early readers and comics - essentially, witchy fare where the visual depiction is as important as the narrative one - this was my first encounter with the character. I found the story simple but entertaining, in a cartoon-special kind of way, and I particularly liked the bits of Robin Hood parody, in the characters of Bobin and his Merry Mice. The artwork is colorful and cute, in a very simple, cartoon-like way. I definitely plan to track down the three other picture-books featuring this character, and perhaps also the comic book series, at some point. Recommended to picture-book readers who enjoy witchy fare of a more comical, cartoonish nature.… (mehr)

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang [A Little Golden Book] is a picture book adapted by Jean Lewis. The original story is written by Ian Flemming. The book is about the Potts family, and their adventure with a magic car. The family names their car Chitty Chitty Bang Bang due to the sounds it makes while being driven, floating or flying through the skies. This version is has vibrant pictures and is geared for a young audience.
I really enjoyed the vibrant pictures in this book. I found it easy to read and was able to follow the storyline with ease.
As a classroom extenders, I would add a sink and float activity to the sand and water play table. During group we would chart who would rather be in a magic car being floated, flying or by roadway. In art, we could craft our own "magic" cars using hot wheels, glue and collage materials.… (mehr)