Winnie And Wilbur: Winnie the Witch

Winnie lives in a big black house with Wilbur her big black cat, and the problem is she keeps sitting on him. Her solution involves a sequence of spells that leave Wilbur looking increasingly outraged and extremely colourful before Winnie finally lands on an answer that satisfies everyone. It is very funny, Korky Paul's illustrations are absolutely extraordinary, and children want it read again immediately.

We love it because:

• Korky Paul's illustrations are packed with extraordinary detail: every page has something new to spot, from the frog on Winnie's necklace to the spell books piled on the floor, and children pore over them long after the story is done
• The problem-solving logic is beautifully silly: each of Winnie's attempts makes complete sense within the story's own rules, which makes the mounting chaos feel inevitable and hilarious rather than random
• Wilbur the cat is one of the great picture book characters: deeply unimpressed by everything Winnie does to him, and entirely justified
• The original and best of a long-running series, and a very good place to start

What's in the box:

• Paperback, 32 pages
• Full colour illustrations by Korky Paul throughout
• By Valerie Thomas, published by Oxford University Children's Books

Great for:

• Ages 3 and up
• A birthday gift, a Halloween treat, or simply one of those books that earns a permanent place in the bedtime rotation
• Reading aloud with full dramatic effect, which this book absolutely rewards

Important to know:

• Paperback, 32 pages
• Dimensions: 27.8 x 21.5cm (10.9 x 8.5 in)
• Full colour illustrations throughout
• ISBN: 9780192748164
• Published September 2016