Kids into books: Broomsticks in Space

Author: Kate Saunders

Illustrator: Tony Ross

Age: 7-10 years

Publisher: Macmillan, $10.95


Nobody in Tranters End was at all startled when they saw two determined witches flying from garden to garden with their tape-measure. Though it is far from usual to find two genuine witches, dressed in dusty rags and pointed hats, in a quiet English village, Old Noshie and Skirty Marm had become part of the scenery there. There had been some fuss when they first arrived, and several hair-raising magic incidents, but the villagers were now quite used to having a pair of witches living in the belfry of their church. they had even stopped thinking Old Noshie and Skirty Marm looked odd. Though of course, they did. Witches are not at all like humans - as you would know at once if you ever saw one. Their skin has a leathery toughness, and their hair is like the hard string used for tying parcels.