A Bad Spell for the Worst Witch
#3 of 8 in The Worst Witch Series
on Goodreads (3,937)
What’s inside...
In 'A Bad Spell for the Worst Witch,' the third book of Jill Murphy's 'Worst Witch' series, the story follows Mildred Hubble, a well-meaning but accident-prone student at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches. Mildred's troubles begin when she accidentally turns Ethel, her arch-enemy, into a pig after a spell goes awry. To make matters worse, Mildred is blamed for the disappearance of the school's star pupil, Enid Nightshade, who has turned herself invisible. As Mildred struggles to reverse the spells and clear her name, she faces the threat of expulsion. With the help of her friends Maud and Enid, Mildred manages to set things right, proving her worth and securing her place at the academy despite her reputation as the 'worst witch.'
Why read this book
- Engaging story sparks imagination and creativity.
- Highlights resilience and learning from mistakes.
- Encourages empathy and understanding diverse perspectives.
- Supports development of reading skills and confidence.
The Big Picture
- Teaches resilience through mistakes and challenges.
- Highlights honesty and integrity in difficult situations.
- Encourages discussions on friendship and loyalty.
What parents love
- Perfect blend of magic and meaningful lessons.
- Engaging plot with relatable character struggles.
- Addresses rivalry and mistakes in a child-friendly way.
- Encourages empathy and resilience through story.
Diversity & Representation
- Features female protagonist in a unique, magical school setting.
- Encourages empathy through diverse character interactions and conflicts.
- Promotes inclusivity in problem-solving and collaborative learning environments.
Discussion points
What do you think Mildred learned from her mistakes? How would you handle similar situations?
Why do you think friendship is important in this story? How do Mildred and her friends help each other?
How do the teachers at Miss Cackle’s Academy help the students grow? Can you think of a time a teacher helped you learn something important?
What do you think makes Mildred a unique character? How can we celebrate what makes each of us unique?
Tip: Role play these questions
To foster a deep connection with the book's themes, focus on empathizing with the characters. Share personal stories where you faced challenges and learned from them, mirroring Mildred’s experiences. Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about friendship and learning from mistakes, drawing parallels to their own life. This approach not only enhances comprehension but also instills values of resilience and empathy.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Overcoming fears
Explanation: In the story, Mildred Hubble faces her fears of failing and being seen as the 'worst witch' by continuously trying to improve her witchcraft skills, despite setbacks.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of perseverance and courage when dealing with their own fears, whether it be trying out for a school play, joining a new sports team, or speaking in front of the class.
Example Lesson: Friendship and support
Explanation: Mildred's friendships play a crucial role in helping her navigate the challenges she faces at Miss Cackle’s Academy. Her friends provide support and encouragement when she needs it most.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of having supportive friends and being a good friend to others in their own lives, enhancing social skills and emotional understanding.
Example Lesson: Accepting differences
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters come from various backgrounds and have different abilities, which are ultimately celebrated and accepted.
Real-World Application: This aspect of the story encourages children to appreciate diversity and be inclusive of others who might seem different from them, promoting empathy and respect.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: Mildred often makes mistakes with her spells and potions but learns important lessons from each mishap.
Real-World Application: This mirrors real-life situations where children make mistakes and learn from them, helping them develop problem-solving skills and resilience.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Mildred learns to take responsibility for her actions throughout the book, a crucial step in her growth and development.
Real-World Application: Teaching children the importance of owning their actions and learning from them, fostering a sense of accountability and personal development.