THE LITTLE WITCH

   “Once upon a time there was a little witch who was only a hundred and twenty-seven years old”-that’s how the story of the Little Witch and her talking raven Abraxas begins. "The Little Witch" (Pol. Malutka Czarownica) was written by Otfried Preussler, a German children's author. "The Little Witch" was written in 1957 and first published in Poland in 1960. Preussler invented this story for his little daughter who did not want to go to sleep because she was afraid of bad witches. Preussler tried to explain to her that witches do not exist. Then his daughter asked him if he was sure. His desire to answer this question became an inspiration to write the adventures of Little Witch.

   Every year, on Walpurgis Night, all the witches of the land meet to dance on Brocken Mountain. Little Witch is still too little to be invited, but this year she decided to sneak in anyway - and got caught by her evil aunt Rumpumpel. Little Witch was judged for her offense by Great Witch. Her broomstick was burned and she was made to walk home. She was told that she had a year to become a good witch if she wanted to be invited to Walpurgis Night next year. After all, what does it mean to be a good witch? Little Witch advised by Abraxas began to become a better witch and by the end of the story, she proves to be the biggest and best witch of all, but not the way the mean witches expected it.

   "The Little Witch" is one of those magical books that, when read in childhood, are being remembered for a lifetime. I regret that I did not know this book when I was young, but it made me feel like I was a child again for a moment. The novel is full of spells and extraordinary adventures that make it special and one of the most important and beloved. I've already read "The Little Ghost" written by Preussler to my children and they enjoyed the story, so I believe "The Little Witch" will steal their hearts as well.

"The Little Ghost" and "The Little Witch" by Otfried Preussler