The Blue-Nosed Witch

A wonderful tale of a young witch's adventures that begin when her alarm clock is set a little too early on Halloween. Blanche and her cat Brockett experience humorous encounters with all too human trick-or-treaters and adults dispensing their seasonal goodies. Blanche's recounting to her witch friends of her adventures among humans, their Halloween rituals, and treats would make any cultural anthropologist proud.

Here is the story of a little witch named Blanche who is constantly getting into trouble because of her youth and carefree attitude. She belongs to an order of responsible, adult witches, and is only a member because of her ability to turn her blue nose on and off! The Tale begins on the eve of Halloween Night, where the witches have big plans to perform a flight formation late that night. Afraid of being late, Blanche sets her alarm clock extra-early, and, ends up flying out much, much too early for the coven meeting. She meets up with children her own age who teach the young witch how to have fun trick-or-treating on Halloween Night! I first read Margaret Embry's story of Blanche The Blue Nosed Witch in a "Collier's Junior Classics" Collection entitled "Harvest Of Holidays". Although the version presented in this collection (although I didn't know it at the time) was abridged, I was completely taken in by the imaginative story and the characters you immediately fall in love with. It also has a timeless quality to it that all great stories seem to have: a "Once-upon-a-Time" feeling. One day browsing the neighborhood Library I came across a bound library copy of The Blue Nosed Witch. As a child it never crossed my mind that the story might have been excerpted from an actual book! Quickly leafing through the pages I found a complete story and beautiful illustrations by Carl Rose on almost every page. Oh, the Joy! This wonderful story has become a tradition for me and must be taken out every Halloween. I believe this book belongs in company of Charles Shulz' classic cartoon "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" and Robert Bright's "Georgie's Halloween" as essential Halloween Treats!

This book, about a young, callow witch by the name of Blanche, is a tender and sentimental story of Halloween in the 1950s. It will take you back to a simpler time in your life, when problems were about friendships and fun, and it'll open your heart to forgotten innocense. I still have my copy from 1956 when the book was published, and although I'm in my late forties, I still treasure it, and read it aloud to my friends every Holloween. The author, Margerat Embry, was the original JK Rowling, and Blanche was Harry Potter's great, great, cousin. Try and get a copy, you'll remember your childhood dreams.Dr Michael Brooks [email protected]