"Dorrie and the Blue Witch" is a children's book written by Patricia Coombs. The story follows the adventures of a young witch named Dorrie who lives in a spooky haunted house with her cat, Gink. In this particular tale, Dorrie encounters a powerful, mysterious Blue Witch. One day, Dorrie wakes up to find that Gink has turned blue. Worried about her feline companion, she sets out to find a way to reverse the spell. Dorrie consults her magic books but cannot find a solution.
But a mean Blue Witch knocks on the door and demands Dorrie should go with her. Perturbed by this witch with her sparks and harsh voice Dorrie thinks on the spot to deal with this unwanted guest.
The writing is thoughtfully created with use of close repetition of possibly new, longer or harder words such as frowned or banister to give children the opportunity to build their confidence. It is excellent for building stamina towards MG chapter books with alternating filled pages and then a big illustrated page with a sentence or two- it didn t feel daunting for her which was brilliant.
Dorrie consults her magic books but cannot find a solution. However, she comes across a mention of the Blue Witch and decides to seek her help. Dorrie sets off on a journey through the nearby woods, guided by her magical broomstick.
Dorrie and the blu witch
Dorrie and the Blue Witch (Dorrie the Little Witch #2)
by Patricia Coombs
Date: 1964
Publisher: Lothrop, Lee and Shepard
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 48
Format: e-book
Source: Open Library
When Dorrie is left home alone by the Big Witch, she decides to have a tea party with Gink. There is a knock on the door. Expecting Cook to arrive any minute, Dorrie opens the door. Instead of Cook, she finds the bad Blue Witch. Dorrie scours Cook’s magic cabinet, uses its contents to capture the Blue Witch and receives a gold cauldron for her efforts.
I was a big fan of Dorrie the Little Witch when I was a kid. Now, decades later, I didn't even remember why I loved the books so much. So when a Goodreads friend reminded me about this series, I went in search of some of the books.
I'm not sure if Dorrie and the Blue Witch was one I read as a child or not (I have a feeling I'm going to be drawing a blank on most of them), but I can see why I enjoyed them. The story here is cute and empowering. Dorrie has to figure out how to deal with a potentially nasty witch who wants to steal her away. So she thinks and comes up with a rather clever solution to the problem. (Her mother eventually completes the solution, but that wouldn't have been possible without Dorrie's help in the first place.) This book is over fifty years old, but it doesn't really feel like it. In this case, anyway, the story doesn't really have any elements that make it seem dated.
As a voracious young reader, I probably loved the fact that there's a lot of text. Technically, I guess these are picture books, but there are some pages that are most or all text. So they're definitely not for the earliest readers (unless someone reads the books to them), but kids who are getting more proficient at reading and who'd like something a little more challenging than a picture book could potentially gobble these up.
The pictures are charming. They're black and white with a touch of colour (blue, in this case. of course; I suspect other titles may have their own specific colours to punch up the monochromatic colour scheme).
Overall, I'm glad I took this trip down memory lane. Dorrie is just as fun as I remember.
Quotable moment:
Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5
Overall: 4 out of 5
The plot in a nutshell: A young witch on her own is visited by a bad witch
Along the way, she encounters talking trees, playful ghosts, and other magical creatures. Finally, she finds the Blue Witch's cottage, which is said to be invisible to anyone who is not truly in need. Inside the cottage, Dorrie meets the Blue Witch, who is a wise and kind-hearted sorceress. Despite her appearance, the witch promises to help Dorrie with her predicament. She explains that the blue spell is a result of a mischievous imp, and only the Golden Flower of Chirton can undo it. In order to find the Golden Flower, Dorrie must embark on another adventure. The Blue Witch provides her with a magical map that leads to the flower's hidden location. Dorrie follows the map, facing various challenges and obstacles along the way. She learns valuable lessons about patience, bravery, and the power of friendship. After a series of trials, Dorrie finally finds the Golden Flower of Chirton. She brings it back to her house and performs the necessary spell to reverse Gink's blue color. The cat returns to his normal state, and Dorrie is filled with joy. In the end, Dorrie expresses her gratitude to the Blue Witch for her help. The Blue Witch encourages Dorrie to continue exploring her magical abilities and reminds her that kindness and compassion are essential qualities. Dorrie returns home with a newfound confidence and a stronger bond with Gink. Overall, "Dorrie and the Blue Witch" is an enchanting tale that showcases the power of friendship and determination. It teaches children the importance of helping others and being brave in the face of challenges. The book's whimsical illustrations and engaging storyline make it a delightful read for young readers..
Reviews for "The Legacy of Dorrie and the Blu Witch: Inspiring Future Generations"
1. Amy - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "Dorrie and the Blu Witch". The characters were flat and uninteresting, and the plot was predictable. The writing style felt rushed and lacked depth. Overall, it was a forgettable read that didn't captivate my attention. I wouldn't recommend it.
2. Mark - 1 star
I found "Dorrie and the Blu Witch" to be extremely boring. The story was slow-paced, and it felt like nothing really happened until the last few chapters. The dialogue was cliché and lacked authenticity. I struggled to connect with the characters and didn't feel invested in their journey. It felt like a wasted opportunity for an interesting concept.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I was hoping for an enchanting and magical tale when I picked up "Dorrie and the Blu Witch", but I was left feeling underwhelmed. The writing was mediocre, and the plot lacked originality. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth. It felt like a recycled story with nothing new to offer. Overall, it was a disappointing read that didn't live up to my expectations.
4. John - 1 star
"Dorrie and the Blu Witch" was a complete letdown. The storyline was predictable and unoriginal, and the pacing was uneven. The writing style felt amateurish, with awkward dialogue and repetitive descriptions. The characters were forgettable and lacked complexity. I couldn't find anything redeeming about this book and would not recommend it to anyone.
5. Emily - 2 stars
I wanted to like "Dorrie and the Blu Witch", but it just didn't grab my attention. The plot dragged on, and the action sequences felt forced and out of place. The world-building was shallow, and I was left with more questions than answers. While the concept had potential, the execution fell short. Overall, it was a disappointing read that failed to capture my imagination.