Mitzi loves creepy things, so naturally when she decides to get a pet, she wants the creepiest one possible...but it turns out that - ugh! - an adorable little kitten happens to be the right fit.

See also: Miss Brooks Loves Books (And I Don't!), Shrek

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Re-read September 2019 / October 2019

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Re-read November 2020 ( )

Summary:
Hoodwinked is about a little witch named Mitzi who wants a pet. She is in search of a pet that a witch is suppose to have. She needs a pet that is creepy and not lovable. The search becomes a lot harder then she thought is would be.
Personal Reaction:
This was my daughters favorite book when she was young. She memorized it and read it to her pre-k class when she was four. I love that the book teaches us that we should never judge a book, person, or animal by their cover.
Classroom Extension:
1. This would be a good time to talk about how people and animals are different from each other. That just because someone is different then you does not make them a bad person.
2. We could do an activity were we draw our favorite animal. Then act it out for the class and see if they can guess what animal we are acting out. ( )

Mitzi was a little witch who loved all things creepy, from the spiders and cobwebs which populated her home, to her many relatives (Uncle Churly, Aunt Malice, Madam Vex). So naturally, when she set out to select a pet, she wanted the creepiest available. What she discovered instead, however, was that creepy pets don't always offer the most satisfying companionship. Then a detestably adorable little kitten turned up on her doorstep, and after a very pleasant evening together, Mitzi decided that looks weren't everything...

Hoodwinked is my first picture-book by Arthur Howard, but it won't be my last! I thought the story was a lot of fun, and appreciated the message that common interests and emotional connection are more important than image, when selecting a companion. I also thought the illustrations were just adorable, tying in to all the creepy themes of the Halloween season, without being that frightening. The only thing I can find to criticize, is the fact that Mitzi takes and returns a number of animals, in the course of the story, something that, in real life, I'm not sure should be encouraged. Still, that's a minor point, and I think a responsible adult could explain that point. Overall, just a winsomely witchy tale, perfect for a Halloween read-aloud! ( )

This book was absolutely adorable. The illustrations are fun and colorful. It is a great book for kids around halloween. It also teaches the valuable lesson of doing what makes you happy, not what you think others want you to do. ( )

a witch should only be surrounded by creepy things. thats especially how this little witch feels. she needs a familiar but only the creepiest of pets will do. after many tries and failed attempts, she realizes its not what something looks like but what's inside that counts. this could be a used in a lesson about appearances not mattering or about pets.