Watch Out for Witches
Hodder Story Book Series
What’s inside...
A fairy godmother forgets to make all her wishes and young Prince Pompom grows up a very stupid, unpleasant kind of prince. While out in the woods one day, he encounters five witches who one-by-one scare him into changing his ways.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
128 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the witches in the story behaved the way they did?
What would you do if you met a character like the ones in the book?
How do the characters in the story show bravery?
What can we learn from how the characters resolved their problems?
If you could change one part of the story, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the story and ask what they would do differently.
Discuss the moral of the story and how it applies to everyday life.
Praise your child for insightful comments or creative thoughts about the story’s outcome.
Use the characters’ experiences to teach lessons about friendship, courage, and problem-solving.
Keep the conversation light and enjoyable, using humor and personal anecdotes related to the story’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: In 'Watch Out for Witches', characters often collaborate to solve problems and overcome obstacles posed by witches, demonstrating how working together can yield better outcomes.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of cooperating with others, whether in school projects or during playtime, thereby enhancing their social skills and problem-solving abilities.
Example Lesson: Courage in facing fears
Explanation: As the characters confront witches and various challenges, they display bravery and resolve, which helps them succeed in their quests.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to face their own fears and challenges head-on, whether it be trying new activities or standing up for themselves and others.
Example Lesson: The power of creativity
Explanation: The story showcases how characters use creative thinking to outwit the witches, demonstrating that sometimes unconventional solutions are the best ones.
Real-World Application: Inspires children to think creatively in their daily life, enhancing their problem-solving skills and encouraging innovative thinking in both academic and personal situations.
Example Lesson: Resilience through adversity
Explanation: Throughout their adventures, the characters experience setbacks yet continue to persevere, ultimately learning from their experiences.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of persistence and learning from mistakes, helping them understand that resilience is key to overcoming difficulties in life.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Characters in the book learn about the backgrounds and motivations of the witches, leading to moments of understanding and empathy.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to seek to understand people who may seem different or difficult at first, promoting a more inclusive and empathetic viewpoint in their interactions.