Once upon a time, in a mystical land, lived a wayward witch named Willow. Willow was known for her unpredictable nature and her constant longing for adventure. It seemed like she was always getting herself into trouble, whether it was accidentally turning people into frogs or causing chaos with her flying broomstick. One day, while exploring the enchanted forest near her cottage, Willow stumbled upon a peculiar creature. It was a small, furry monster with bright, colorful feathers sticking out of its head. It seemed lost and confused, and Willow couldn't help but feel an instant connection with the creature.
It seemed lost and confused, and Willow couldn't help but feel an instant connection with the creature. Curiosity got the best of her, and she decided to bring the monster back to her cottage. She named it Fizzle, as its presence seemed to ignite a spark of excitement within her.
Momo celebrating time to read
Polly is the wayward witch of the title. She has no skill for spells (or so it seems) and sadly she has no witch friends. The feelings monster is Buster. He is a monster but he is also Polly's bestest best friend in the whole world.
In this world of witches and warlocks there is huge prejudice against monsters and this was the aspect of this book that I found most interesting. Think about a passage like this :
"Then Buster stands to one side to let the witches get on first, just as his mother has taught him. And just as his mother has taught him, he is careful to pick a seat at the back with the other monsters - not in front where the witches like to sit. After all a monster must always know their place."
The idea of a feelings monster is also an intriguing one. When Buster is happy he swells up to an enormous size but when he is sad he shrinks. Polly goes on a school excursion to the National Gallery where they study portraits of famous humans. On the same day, Buster, and his class also go the gallery. Polly knows their special friendship must be kept secret. She says some cruel things about monsters as a way to stay friends with a classmate and Buster hears her.
"Buster is curled up on the hard floor in a great ball. Polly has never seen him so small and so grey. It's as if every last bit of light has been squashed out of him, and all that's left is a hard mass of grey fur, twisted and dry as a dishcloth."
It is this awful scene that literally sparks wild magic out of Polly.
This is a joyous story with some clever ideas. I especially love the food. Polly's mum cooks awful things such as mealworms, thistle and kale salad, and for recess she has bats' ears. Meanwhile next door the monster family enjoy flummery cake topped with bilberries and slathered with cream and Buster brings jamcakes when they meet up in their special tree. What a perfect word - slathered. I should also mention Polly's teacher and her wonderful clothes.
"She has curly red hair . and she jangles with silver jewellery when she walks. Instead of the plain black school cape most of the Academy teachers wear, Miss Spinnaker wears a velvet cape embroidered with colourful threads and studded with little octagonal mirrors. Polly thinks Miss Spinnaker is glorious."
This is the first book in a new series by Sally Rippin author of the popular the Hey Jack and Billie B Brown books. Sally has written over 60 books.
Here is an interview with Sally Rippin . You can find some teaching notes here . You might also enjoy Thalia the Failure by Robin Klein, The worst witch series by Jill Murphy and The power of Poppy Pendle .
"She has curly red hair . and she jangles with silver jewellery when she walks. Instead of the plain black school cape most of the Academy teachers wear, Miss Spinnaker wears a velvet cape embroidered with colourful threads and studded with little octagonal mirrors. Polly thinks Miss Spinnaker is glorious."
Willow soon discovered that Fizzle had the ability to absorb and reflect the emotions of those around it. If someone was happy, Fizzle would radiate joy. If someone was sad, Fizzle would absorb their sorrow and reflect it back in an attempt to heal their pain. As time went on, Willow and Fizzle became inseparable. The wayward witch realized that Fizzle's unique gift could be used for good, so she decided to travel the land, helping people in need. Wherever they went, Fizzle would bring joy and comfort to those who needed it most. Of course, Willow's mischievous nature sometimes got in the way. She would often get distracted by shiny objects or tempted by the thought of causing a little chaos. But Fizzle was always there to remind her of the importance of spreading love and positivity. Together, they journeyed through the enchanted land, bringing light to the darkest corners and helping those who had lost hope. Willow learned valuable lessons about empathy and the power of emotions, while Fizzle continued to grow and evolve in its ability to heal and comfort. In the end, Willow and Fizzle became beloved figures in their community. Willow's unpredictable nature was now channeled into bringing happiness and joy to others, and Fizzle's ability to reflect emotions became a source of inspiration and comfort to all who encountered them. And so, the wayward witch and the feelings monster continued their adventure, spreading love and happiness wherever they went, and reminding all who crossed their path about the magic of empathy and the power of acceptance..
Reviews for "The power of empathy: The wayward witch's journey with the feelings monster"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars: I was really disappointed with "The Wayward Witch and the Feelings Monster". The plot was lacking and the characters felt one-dimensional. I couldn't connect with any of them and found myself skimming through the pages just to get to the end. The writing style also felt choppy and inconsistent, which made it even harder to stay engaged. Overall, it was a forgettable read for me.
2. Michael - 1/5 stars: I regret picking up "The Wayward Witch and the Feelings Monster". The story felt overly cliché and predictable, with no originality or surprises. The dialogue was cringe-worthy, filled with cheesy lines and forced humor that just didn't land. The pacing was also off, dragging in some parts and rushing through others. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a unique and well-written fantasy novel.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars: I was so excited to dive into "The Wayward Witch and the Feelings Monster" but it quickly fell flat for me. The world-building was lacking and the magic system felt confusing and underdeveloped. The characters were also underwhelming, lacking depth and growth. The romance subplot felt forced and rushed, leaving me feeling unsatisfied. Overall, it had so much potential but failed to deliver on all fronts.
4. David - 3/5 stars: "The Wayward Witch and the Feelings Monster" was an okay read for me. While the concept was interesting, the execution fell short. The pacing was off, with long stretches of nothing happening followed by sudden bursts of action. The writing style was simple and straightforward, but lacking in descriptive language. There were some moments that I enjoyed, but overall it was just an average book that didn't leave a lasting impression.
5. Emma - 2/5 stars: I couldn't get into "The Wayward Witch and the Feelings Monster". The plot felt disjointed and confusing, with too many subplots that never fully came together. The characters were inconsistent, making it hard to care about their journey. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, taking me out of the story. I struggled to finish this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.