Hoodwinked

by Arthur Howard

Overview

Mitzi is a witch who likes creepy things. So when she decides to get a pet, she wants the creepiest pet possible. But the bats she tries are too batty, the toad does nothing but eat bugs, and the warthogs . . . well, that's a whole other story.
Mitzi is in despair. She wants a creepy pet that is fun-and that will share her secrets. It seems too much to hope for, until one rainy night when something unexpected scratches on her door. . . .
With gentle humor and a touch of magic, Arthur Howard reveals how true friendship sometimes turns up in the most surprising places. 8-1/2 X 11. Full-color illustrations

Author Biography: ARTHUR HOWARD is the author-illustrator of Cosmo Zooms and When I Was Five. He is also the illustrator of the popular Mr. Putter & Tabby series. Mr. Howard lives in New York City.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780547564166
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	09/01/2005
Sold by:	HARPERCOLLINS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
Lexile:	560L (what's this?)
File size:	23 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Arthur Howard created the lively illustrations for all of the Mr. Putter & Tabby books and has written and illustrated several picture books of his own. He lives in New York City.
 

Arthur Howard created the lively illustrations for all of the Mr. Putter & Tabby books and has written and illustrated several picture books of his own. He lives in New York City.
 

Editorial Reviews

Despite her dainty button nose and freckles, Mitzi wears a purple witch's gown and eats skull-shaped Rice Creepies cereal. She needs a frightful pet to match her gothic style. When a fuzzy marmalade kitten appears, Mitzi sighs, "You're simply not creepy enough." But she changes her mind after an evening of prowling, and names her sidekick "Hoodwink." Howard (Cosmo Zooms) uses cute-fierce characters and cobwebby settings in this comical rejection of sugar and spice. Ages 3-7. (Sept.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

K-Gr 3-Mitzi is a creepy little kid who flies around on a broomstick, has creepy relatives, and likes creepy things. Naturally, when it is time for a pet, only the creepiest will do. She gets a toad, but he does nothing but eat bugs all day. He is exchanged for two bats, but all they did "was hang around with each other." The lady at the pet shop then suggests warthogs, but they're too wild-eyed and toothy, even for Mitzi. Disconsolately, she flies home to mope. But wait! A kitten appears at the door, and the little witch allows it to stay, supposedly for one night only. "You're simply not creepy enough." It turns out, though, that the adorable little creature is the perfect companion for Mitzi, prowling the attic, watching the creature feature on TV, and telling secrets in the dark. In fact, Mitzi learns that "looks aren't everything" and that Hoodwink is just the right pet. The pictures are perfect for this lively story-lots of fangs and slimy, scaly, weird, and wiggly outlines fill the pages. While the toad and bats are strongly reminiscent of James Stevenson's work at his best and funniest, these illustrations have their own impressive individual character. Every page is a delight. Don't miss this one.-Ruth Semrau, Upshur County Public Library, Gilmer, TX Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

School Library Journal

When it's time to choose a pet, a young witch named Mitzi requires something that is definitely not cute or cuddly. Her creepy relatives have appropriately creepy pets, like piranhas and crocodiles, and one so creepy that it cannot be identified. At the pet store, the shop lady with the short green nose and long blue teeth helps her in selecting from an assortment of repulsive creatures. Mitzi brings home a slimy toad and a pair of bats, but they don't participate in her activities or respond to her in any way. The toad just keeps eating bugs and the bats just "hang around with each other." When a kitten appears at her door, she reluctantly invites it in. Though it is "simply not creepy enough" and much too cute, she discovers that it provides true companionship and love. She names the kitten "Hoodwink," in recognition of her surprise at actually loving a pet so adorable. In a nice twist on the homily, she admits that appearances are indeed deceiving. Howard employs simple, child-friendly language that never simpers. His colorful, appealing cartoon illustrations go beyond the text to depict a charming, eccentric little witch doing perfectly ordinary witchlike activities. Mitzi may be a witch, but she is entirely non-threatening. She eats "Rice Creepies" for breakfast, travels to the pet store by broomstick, reads "Vulture Culture" with great interest, and wears slippers that look surprisingly like the Tasmanian Devil. These illustrations enhance and enrich an amusing story that is sure to please. (Picture book. 3-8)

Kirkus Reviews

"Howard . . . uses cute-fierce characters and cobwebby settings in this comical rejection of sugar and spice."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Every page is a delight. Don't miss this one."—School Library Journal (starred review)
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From the Publisher