Trick-or-treating one Halloween night with his friends, David allows himself to be pressured into playing a trick on his elderly neighbor, Mrs. Oliver, whom the local children have dubbed "Old Mother Witch." Sneaking up onto her porch, he stumbles over something in the dark, and discovers that real life can be more frightening than story creatures like monsters and witches. It turns out that Mrs. Oliver has had a heart attack, and lying helpless on her porch, needs David's aid...

Old Mother Witch is the second book I have read from author Carol Carrick, following upon her retelling of Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp, and the sixth from illustrator Donald Carrick. It pairs an immensely poignant but understated tale of intergenerational mistrust and fear with strikingly expressive artwork that captures both the shadowy menace of Halloween night, and the warmth of David's home. The initial story idea - a grouchy old woman is named a witch by the neighborhood children - reminded me of Stephanie Morgan's The Witch Down the Street, a picture-book that is part of the Tales from the Care Bears series. The Carricks' story however, has deeper emotional currents, sensitively exploring the way in which the very young sometimes fear the very old, whom they do not understand, as well as the role peer pressure plays in encouraging unkind behavior. Finally, through David's actions in helping Mrs. Oliver, and later, his remorse for his conduct, it offers the hope of friendship and a better understanding between the generations. I found this an immensely poignant and lovely book, appreciating both story and illustration, and I will look for more from both of the Carricks. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories that encourage a more thoughtful and kindhearted approach to how we treat the elderly, even when they appear grouchy or aloof. ( )

This was a great old children's book. It is Halloween and the kids are out trick or treating. There is a mean old woman who lives in the neighborhood and the kids think she is a witch. They dare the one kid to to go knock on her door and when he goes to the house... he gets a surprise. Definitely didn't see it coming and it's a great book for kids to read to learn a lesson on how people should be treated with respect. ( )