The Widow's Broom Review

Children's Book Review

Synopsis of The Widow’s Broom by Chris Van Allsburg

“One cold night a witch’s broom loses its power and lands in Widow Minna Shaw’s vegetable garden. Minna takes it in and soon learns that while it weeps no better or worse than any other broom, it can chop wood, fetch water, and even play some simple tunes on the piano. The neighbors are suspicious, though, and after the broom teaches two bullying children a well-deserved lesson, it is branded a “wicked, wicked thing,” and Minna is told she must give up her companion.”

Review:

4.5 Stars

This is the first children’s picture book I have read in possibly 10 or more years. This is a great book to read around the Halloween holiday or during the fall. Inside of the book, some things like prejudice and discrimination were soon towards the broom just because it was a little (okay a lot) unusual. Sure, the broom had belonged to a witch, but the actual broom itself was caring to the older woman. On the flip side, the widow Minna Shaw, was a caring old woman. She had rescued the fallen witch from her garden and let the witch recover. In return, it can be concluded that the witch had left the broom possibly as a small thank you.

This is a great book to show young children to help people you normally wouldn’t. It also show them not to be mean and judge people (especially before they meet them). As a 19-year-old, this book honestly had me on the edge of my seat when the neighbors made the old woman give up her friend and companion.

This is a great book for all ages!

Happy reading until next time,