Witches' Supermarket - Hardcover

Meddaugh, Susan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0395570344 ISBN 13: 9780395570340

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1991

Synopsis

While trick-or-treating on Hallow-een night, Helen and her dog Martha happen upon a very unusual supermarket -- for witches and cats only -- where they are most unwelcome!

About this title

About the Author

Susan Meddaugh was born and raised in Montclair, New Jersey. She graduated from Wheaton College, where she studied French literature and fine arts. After working briefly with an advertising agency in New York, she moved to Boston and worked at a publishing company for ten years, first as a designer, then art editor, and finally as art director. While there, she did the illustrations for GOOD STONES (Houghton Mifflin) by Anne Epstein, and then decided to strike out on her own as a freelance illustrator and creator of children's books. Since that time, Susan has written and illustrated many popular books for children, including MARTHA SPEAKS, which was chosen as a NEW YORK TIMES Best Illustrated Book for 1992. In 1998 she was awarded the New England Book Award, given by the New England Booksellers Association to recognize a body of work. Her work also was acknowledged with a New York Times Best Illustrated Award. She lives in Sherborn, Massachusetts.

Reviews

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- Helen (dressed as a witch) and her dog Martha (dressed as a black cat) digress from their trick-or-treating to follow an elderly woman down a dark alley and into a grocery store. But why are the apples with worms more expensive than those without them? Why all that cat food but no dog food? Why such an incredible selection of specialized brooms? And why so many black cats all over the store? "Everyone is certainly ready for Halloween," Helen notes as she observes the shoppers' unusual attire. Helen, and readers, puzzle together over all this strangeness, until the definitive clue reveals the store's true specialty. Numerous touches in the pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations are surprising and funny. The weird and the familiar are blended with a tone just irreverent enough to keep it fresh. Young readers will be tickled to see this twisted form of their familiar grocery market. Lots of humorous details are offered for the observant; they are a riot, especially as a backdrop to Meddaugh's deadpan story delivery. The Witches' Supermarket has what it takes: suspense, humor, and intriguing clues. A book that's as much fun as Halloween itself. --Liza Bliss, formerly at Leominster Public Library, MA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

In a highly original Halloween tale, Meddaugh ( Tree of Birds ; Too Many Monsters ) again evinces a gently humorous, delightfully skewed imagination. As Helen, in a witch costume, and her dog Martha, dressed as a cat ("Witches have cats, not dogs. Everybody knows that") set out for trick-or-treating, the woman ahead of them drops a piece of paper. Hurrying after her to return it--a coupon for a free broom--Helen and Martha hesitate when she disappears behind a door marked "Trespassers Will Be Sorry." Peeking inside, Helen announces, "It's just a supermarket!" and the pair ventures in. But this is no ordinary food store--its counters display such fare as"Apples with Worms," "Cran-Spider" drink and "Shake 'n Bake Snake." When the light finally dawns for Helen, readers, of course, will be way ahead of her--thanks not only to the book's title but to its hilarious, none-too-subtle illustrations. This knowledge only adds to the fun, however: the giggles begin early, and by the chaotic escape scene, develop into full-scale belly laughs. Definitely in the "treat" category. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Helen is wearing a witch costume and her dog Martha is disguised as a black cat when they follow a lady who has dropped a coupon for a free broom into what turns out to be an emporium full of weird customers and gruesome groceries (lots of clever names: ``fast,'' ``traditional,'' and ``state-of-the art'' brooms; candies like ``Hot Cauldrons,'' ``Hava-Kava-T,'' and--in a touch of black humor--``Cherno-Belle Chewies''). After Helen (and readers) have had a chance to explore the delights revealed in the lively illustrations, she's discovered--but the mayhem Martha generates among the witches' cats allows dog and girl to escape to the street. Imaginative Halloween fun. (Picture book. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Edition details

• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
• Publication date: 1991
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0395570344
• ISBN 13: 9780395570340
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32