The Widow's Broom

Rating:
Summary: Clever and well-written; something anyone can enjoy!
Review: Chris Van Alsburg is widely known as an excellent story-teller and this book is no disapointment. He weaves a fascinating, sweet'n'sour tale of a widow and the witch's broom that she holds so dearly to her heart. Moving and craftily written, I suggest this book for anyone who wishes to read a good old fashioned tale of friendship.

I would not reccomend this book for children under 6 years. Though it has a happy ending, it does have some darker themes that would be inappropriate to present to young children if only for the reason that they wouldn't understand them.

Regardless, an excellent book if you are in the market for one. Happy reading! -Lia

Rating:
Summary: 3rd Graders LOVE THIS BOOK!
Review: I do a Chris Van Allsburg Author Study in my 3rd Grade classroom, and the kids love this one. ...Widow's Broom is the one they remember the most. I highly recommend it to children of all ages.

Rating:
Summary: For All Age Groups
Review: I first read this book in a pre-kindergarten classroom, and thought it was wonderful. Now we read it every Halloween, and my 11 year old loves it as much as my 5 year old does, they just understand it on different levels. It's a wonderful way to begin a discussion of prejudice, or fanaticism. Besides that, it's just a charming story.

Rating:
Summary: The Widow's Broom by Chris Van Allsburg
Review: I still remember the days of when I used to borrow this from the local library as a small child. This used to be one of my favourite books alongside of "The Wizard of Oz" and "Alice in Wonderland," and many other fantasy books. This one was an exceptionally original and unique illustrated picture book about a widow who earns a strange gift (the broom) from a witch who stayed with the widow to heal from a crash. When the witch leaves, the widow notices that the broom has special powers and can move and clean the house - of course the neighbours are suspicious and jealous and want to get their hands on the broom. One of the things about this novel that makes it so special is the wonderful, sepia tone illustrations that add plenty of atmosphere to the reader's experience. There is one illustration that is very creepy to me and always be a powerful image - the witch standing in the night looking youthful and strong, staring out into the night sky. An excellent book for children and adults alike. Spellbinding reading!

Rating:
Summary: The Widow's Broom by Chris Van Allburg Reveiw by April
Review: The main characters of this book are a witch, Minna Shaw, a broom, and the Spiveys. This story starts out with a witch flying on her broom. The broom loses its magic to fly, and makes the witch tumble and fall to the ground. The witch lands in Minna Shaw's garden. Minna Shaw was a widow who lived in a small white farmhouse. Widow Shaw knew she was a witch, but helped her any way because she is a kinded-hearted person. Minna takes the witch into her house, and at midnight, the witch left with her wounds all healed. The witch saw another witch circling in the sky. THe witch flew down and picked up the witch that Minna found. The witch left her old broom there, since it didn't fly anymore.
The next morning, Minna Shaw wakes up to an empty house. She wasn't that surprised by it though. She also saw that the witch left her broom there. Widow Shaw justed figured that the broom lost its powers and was like a normal broom. Then she saw that the broom was sweeping the floors by itself. She was very scared by this, but later on, got used to it. Minna Shaw taught the broom how to do other tasks, like feeding the chickens, chop wood, fetch water, bring the cows from the pastures, and to even play the piano.
The Spiveys, Minna's neighbors, found out about the broom. They didn't like it at all because they thought that it was the work of the devil. Sometimes the broom got bored and started to sweep the roads. Two of the Spivey boys were taunting the broom. The broom got loose and knocked both boys over. They got their dog to attack the broom. The broom set the dog sailing through the air. The boys told their father what had happened to them. They still haven't found their dog yet. Mr. Spivey and three other men went to go destroy the broom.
Minna shows them where she keeps the broom. What will become of the broom? Will Minna ever see the broom again? What ever happened to the Spivey's dog? Read the rest of the story if you want the answers to these questions. I liked this book because it gives you a great describion of what is going on. It also has great pictures that help you follow along with the story.

Rating:
Summary: The Perfect Halloween Story for Grade School Children...
Review: The Widow's Broom is a fabulous tale of magic, witchcraft and conpanionship. The story focuses on a lonely widow named Minna Shaw whose brief encounter with a witch leaves her with a seemingly ordinary household broom. Minna soon comes to learn that the broom is anything but ordinary as it is enchanted. Trouble soon finds Minna Shaw in the form of her neighbors the Spivey's who denounce the broom as "evil." The events that follow are immensely entertaining and captivating. The twist ending makes the story all the sweeter. Van Allsburg's illustrations are nothing short of breathtaking as he deserved another Caldecott medal for his work here. Overall, kids will fall in love with this enchanting tale and adults may who read it may do the same. Highly Recommended for ALL ages.

Rating:
Summary: The Widow's Broom Book Review
Review: The Widow's Broom is an outstanding book about an old widow named Minna Shaw, who finds a witch's former broom that has lost the power of flight in her kitchen. At that moment, the broom was sweeping the floor of Minna's kitchen all by it's self. At first, she was frightened, but the magical broom seemed harmless, and it was doing a very good job sweeping the floors like magic, and she thought it might be very good at other jobs too. The Widows broom was a fabulous story and I would highly recommend that you should read it no matter how old you are.

Rating:
Summary: One Good Turn Deserves Another
Review: Witches' brooms don't last forever. One day while the Widow Minna Shaw is out in her garden just such a witch's broom finally runs out of flying power and the witch plummets to the ground and lies injured in Minna's garden. Without a second thought the kindly Minna brings the witch inside and after tucking her into a quiet place allows her to rest comfortably while the witch heals herself. After the witch has recovered and magically summoned a ride home, Minna discovers that she has left the old broom behind. It may not have much in the way of flying power any more but it turns out to have quite a bit of spunk left in it! Nosey neighbors automatically assume that because it is magical it must be evil and they set out to destroy it. Chris Van Allsburg is in peak form in this wonderful book. His writing is so mysterious and evocative yet filled with his characteristic wry humor. The story is sweetly spooky with just the right hint of shadow and a generous sprinkling of mischief. The illustrations are absolutely perfect. The familiar style of almost sepia toned illustrations are filled with exquisite details and wonderful expressions and activity. The meddlesome neighbors have a Salem flavor to them while the witch seems mysterious and magical. Minna is delightfully understated and open to the changes. We are treated to a fun-filled Van Allsburg plot change-up at the end. Don't miss this one. It's great for Halloween or any time. I think it's his best.

Rating:
Summary: WALTER'S REVIEW!!!!!!!!!
Review: You really should read this book called THE WIDOW'S BROOM.
It is funny and exciting. An old lady gets an unusual
gift from a witch that stayed in her house to heal.
The gift caused a stir with all of her neighbors.
So go ahead and read this book.