Not Just a Witch

By Eva Ibbotson

Book Overview

A witch who wants to Do Good? In the world of Eva Ibbotson, this means trouble. Heckie, a graduate of one of the best witch schools, settles in the town of Wellbridge, determined to discover evildoers and turn them into . . . animals. She turns the mean owner of a nasty nursing home into a warthog, a bank robber into a mouse, and a cruel chicken farmer into a fish. The Wellbridge Zoo is pleased, but Heckie's do-gooding is about to land her and some of her young friends in big, hairy trouble.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0525471014
• ISBN13: 9780525471011
• Release Date: June 2003
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.6" x 0.9" x 5.7"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

JB

Not Just a Witch by Eva Ibbotson, is an exciting book that enchants young reader's minds. Heckie, an animal witch, quarrels with her closest friend Dora. They left each other for what feels like forever. They end up finding themselves close and in need of each other. Will their lives collide again? What I liked about Not Just A Witch was that the author puts immense detail in everything including the pictures. I couldn't believe how gifted the author is. The author's message was that, if you are really friendly with someone no quarreling can break that!

AB

Not Just a Witch written by Eva Ibbotson, is a story about two witches who have a huge fight. Dora, and Heckie the witches, had a huge fight in college so they weren't friends for a long time. When Heckie moved to Wellbridge, she met a boy named Daniel. His parents don't pay attention to him. What I liked about the book is how Heckie can turn people into animals with her toe and knuckle. Also Dora can turn people into stone. I also liked how Mr. Knaksap was so evil and very smart. The Author's message is don't trust everyone you meet. You may think you know who they are but turn out to surprise you!

HD

Not Just a Witch, by Eva Ibbotson, is a story about an animal witch named Heckie and a boy named Daniel. Daniel first meets the witch when he and his friend Sumi babysit a rich family's child named Basil who the witch turns into a pug. Also Daniel has his doubts about the witch because of that incident. What I like about the book is its twists and turns. It always kept me wanting for more. The book was awesome. Eva Ibbotson is a great author. The author's message was believe in yourself and you can get out of depression. Also you can change what you have done.

Wonderful, and wickedly funny

This author never ceases to amaze me. She knows how to tickle any childs funny bone with her outrageous characters and the adventures that the children in her stories find. When you read an Ibbotson book, you feel as if she is writing it just for you. Very enjoyable for adults too. This story is about some kids in a small town who meet a good witch named Heckie with rather unusual powers, she can turn people into animals. You see Hecki and her best friend that is also a witch recently moved to town, and they both like kids. But after a disagreement, they stop being friends. Heckie begins to turn really bad wicked people in their village into animals. And as animals they become nice, and the wickedness goes away. But one day Heckie falls in love with the a scheming con man, who plans to use her powers for his own gain. The kids and her old friend must rescue her from herself. Very enjoyalbe reading!

Not Just a Witch is not Just for Children

Eva Ibbotson's delightful humor combined with Prunella Scales's flawless reading makes this audio book a winner. Two witches, lifelong friends, have a falling out when they appear at a party wearing identical (live) snake hats. They move away from one another and both are courted by an evil man who plans to use their powers to become rich. The plot is fast moving and funny, but it is the many humorous touches that make this story a hit with adult listeners as well as children. Who can resist a balloon inflated by politicians' hot air -- education ministers claiming that more testing will improve education, and an atomic energy minister claiming that nuclear waste is good for fish! Scales reads as if she believes every word so listeners soon forget there is a narrator between them and enter fully into the story. Great listening for ages eight and up.