Shawna J. C. Tenney

Brunhilda the witch loves to stir up trouble in this entertaining picture-book from author/illustrator Shawna J.C. Tenney. Relishing her warts, her ugly dress, and most of all, her spells to make everyone around her suffer, she is happy being repulsive and miserable. Then one night her cat stirs up some magic, and she wakes up the next morning transformed: her warts have disappeared, her dress is pink and frilly, and every time she utters her favorite spell, rather than causing mayhem, she brings cheer. Dismayed at first, Brunhilda begins to be won over by the happiness and gratitude of those she helps. That night, she and her cat cast another spell, setting some things back to how they were, but letting others remain changed...

Although Tenney has illustrated a few other books, Brunhilda's Backwards Day is her debut as both author and illustrator, and it is a sweet witchy confection, pairing a humorous "bad witch learns to be good" story with bright, colorful artwork. I wasn't sure, midway through the book, that I particularly cared for it, as I didn't like the way the author seemed to be tying to kindness to things like wearing a pink, frilly dress, or looking more conventionally attractive (the disappearance of Brunhilda's warts). Happily, these superficial changes are discarded at the end, and Brunhilda goes back to her warty, purple-dress-wearing self. The changes of behavior and outlook remain however, subtly emphasizing that it is these things, rather than the surface concerns of appearance, that truly matter. I don't know that this will ever be a favorite of mine - the artwork is a little too cute and cartoonish for my taste - but it is a welcome addition to my witchy picture-books project! Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories featuring witches and/or changing one' behavior and outlook.… (mehr)