“The Witches” - Roald Dahl

🍫 Since childhood, this has been my favorite Roald Dahl book. I was excited to read it along with my boys. Happily, it has retained all of its remembered charm. Additionally, although Ashwin (11) has also read it before, it’s the sort of book he didn’t mind diving into again.

🍫 It’s ever-so creepy at the outset, but quickly becomes an action-packed adventure. Sanjay (8) wasn’t the least scared, although his eyes did widen at the possibility suggested by our nameless young narrator, that his own teachers could be disguised witches.

🍫 The arc of the plot is simple and linear, making this an engaging story for discussing the elements of basic plot structure. The illustrations by Quentin Blake are delightful, and to my mind, forever associated with Roald Dahl books.

🍫 As for film adaptations, we watched the old Angelica Huston film last Halloween and enjoyed it. It stuck close to the plot, and Huston made a terrific and terrifying Grand High Witch. I haven’t seen the newer adaptation featuring Octavia Spencer as grandmama.