Children's Book Reviews

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A Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett
HarperCollins, May, 2004
Hardcover, 288 pages
ISBN: 0060586605
Ages 9 and up
Ordering information:
Amazon.com

A Hat Full of Sky
by Terry Pratchett

Now eleven years old, Tiffany Aching knows that it is time to apprentice herself to a real witch, in order to realize her full potential. Clearly she has talent, after saving the world from the evil Queen of the Elves (with only a frying pan as a weapon) (See, The Wee Free Men), but she knows she has much to learn. So Tiffany leaves her farm to apprentice herself for a year to Miss Level, a witch with two bodies and a poltergeist housekeeper. Tiffany finds that being a witch isn't at all glamorous or exciting -- she spends most of her time doing charitable works for the local farmers, which she finds most unappealing. Tiffany has another problem, though. She is being stalked by an hiver, a formless entity which takes over the minds of powerful witches. But the tiny, blue, whiskey-loving, contentious, cursing little men known as the Nac Mac Freegle love Tiffany like a sister and immediately set out to rescue her. Now if only they can resist going near any pubs on the way to the rescue, they might just have a chance at saving their beloved Tiffany.

Tiffany Aching, the precocious protagonist from The Wee Free Men is back in a second adventure set in the English chalk country. The enigmatic Mistress Weatherwax and Death, two of Pratchett's most interesting characters, make appearances in this very funny tale. Tiffany has to grow up quite a bit in this adventure. She learns some hard truths about recognizing the worst parts of one's personality in order to find one's true self, and she begins to understand the nature and responsibility of real power. Terry Pratchett is one of our most skilled societal commentators and satirists. But, perhaps more importantly, he is a compelling storyteller whose books will appeal to both children and adults.

--Claire E. White

Moses: The Long Road to Freedom by Ann Keay Beneduce, Illustrations by Gennady Spirin
Orchard Books, February, 2004
Picture Book, 32 pages
ISBN: 0439352258
Ages 4-8
Ordering information:
Amazon.com

Moses: The Long Road to Freedom
by Johnathan Emmett, Illustrated by Rebecca Harry

The story of Exodus is retold in this abbreviated version for children, which is enhanced by its stunning illustrations by Gennady Spirin. The beauty and richness of the Egyptian royal court is richly portrayed by Mr. Spirin's dramatic watercolors. The plague of locusts shows hordes of locusts devouring everything in sight, and the horror is accentuated by the fact that the locusts crawl right out of the page margins seemingly onto the reader's lap. The Pharoah is portrayed as a stubborn and cruel man, while Moses looks kindly, but stern. The Egyptian women and the Israelites who are dancing with joy at the end of the story are full of life and energy. This book is a perfect introduction to the powerful story of the Hebrew slave who gave up the life of an Egyptian prince to lead his people to freedom. Parents will find the book a joy to share with their children, as they learn about the Old Testament.

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Children's Book Reviews

A Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett

Moses: The Long Road to Freedom by Ann Keay Beneduce, Illustrations by Gennady Spirin