Badjelly the Witch is a children's book written by Spike Milligan. It tells the story of two children, Tim and Rose, who venture into the forest to try and find their lost cow, Lucy. However, their search leads them to a scary and unpredictable encounter with Badjelly the Witch. The main idea of the book is to showcase the power of imagination and the importance of bravery. Throughout their adventure, Tim and Rose rely on their vivid imaginations to help them overcome the challenges they face. They encounter all sorts of strange, fantastical creatures and situations, all of which are products of their imagination.
Badjelly the Witch, with audio CD
by Spike Milligan
Published by Puffin
ISBN 9780143772286
Before they go to sleep, they ask Binklebonk if he has seen Lucy and the Tree-Goblin tells them that he saw a Cow with a Straw Hat go by his Tree this morning. When the three travelers are captured by the evil Bedjelly the witch, who threatens to turn them into sausages, Dingle-mouse escapes and runs off in search of his massive eagle friend Jim.
They encounter all sorts of strange, fantastical creatures and situations, all of which are products of their imagination. The character of Badjelly the Witch serves as a representation of fear and the unknown. She uses her magic to try and capture Tim and Rose, but their bravery and quick thinking ultimately save them.
Book Review: Badjelly the Witch, with audio CD, by Spike Milligan
In the interests of full disclosure, I grew up on this story. I used to listen to Dick Weir’s radio show for kids on weekend mornings (morning TV wasn’t a thing until I was a bit older), and it was always a great day when he played Badjelly. I also raised my now-adult daughter on the story of courageous siblings who are searching for their lost cow, and meet a cast of interesting characters along the way. I am, as you can already tell, a fan.
What I wanted to see was if today’s kids would still appreciate Badjelly in all its un-PC, analogue glory. So, roll on up, my 5-7 year-old students: welcome to a piece of your teacher’s childhood.
I read the book in chunks. Milligan helpfully broke the text into sections, so I stuck with this and read the story over a couple of days like a mini-novel. The kids loved it. They laughed at the funny bits and gasped at the tense bits. They enjoyed the pictures (in colour, no less!) and were impressed that Spike Milligan had actually handwritten his story, just like they do.
What I was really looking forward was watching the children listen to the CD. I didn’t own a copy of the book until I was an adult, so my memories are aural. I’ve probably listened to the story about a hundred times … I’ve heard it so many times that when I read it aloud, I can’t help but read it in my best Spike Milligan imitation.
The kids enjoyed the CD, but couldn’t listen to the whole thing in one go … I’m not sure if it’s the “attention span of today’s yoof”, or just that classroom floors after lunch don’t foster the same cosy feelings as my childhood lounge floor in my PJs.
In hardback and in colour, with the CD, this has got to be the definitive version of Badjelly the Witch. If your household has small people in it, you need a copy. If you know small people, they need a copy. If you’re like me and grew up in the late 70s, you probably need a copy too, for nostalgia’s sake.
Reviewed by Rachel Moore
Badjelly the Witch, with audio CD
by Spike Milligan
Published by Puffin
ISBN 9780143772286
One day, when Tim & Rose go to Lucy's shed to get Milk from her, they discover that the door is open and Lucy is not in the shed. The children set out to find her but become lost in the Great Black Forest at night. When the children feel tired and need to find somewhere to sleep for the night, Binklebonk the Tree Goblin (Russell Brand) offers to let them sleep inside his tree home to keep them safe the Tin-Lion (Voiced by Jim Carter). Tim & Rose get settled in their own rooms and have a Goblin's supper, containing Nuts, Honey and Dandelion Tea. Before they go to sleep, they ask Binklebonk if he has seen Lucy and the Tree-Goblin tells them that he saw a Cow with a Straw Hat go by his Tree this morning. The Children are glad to learn that it is Lucy and that she's still out there in the forest.
This teaches young readers that they can face their fears and overcome them with courage and creativity. The book is filled with humorous and playful language, making it engaging for young readers. Spike Milligan's unique style of writing, including rhymes and wordplay, adds an element of fun and whimsy to the story. Overall, Badjelly the Witch is a charming children's book that encourages imagination, bravery, and the power of storytelling. It serves as an entertaining and educational read for young readers, teaching them important life lessons in a playful and imaginative way..
Reviews for "The Legacy of Badjelly the Witch: Why It Captivates Generation after Generation"
1. John - ★★☆☆☆
I was really excited to read "Badjelly the witch" based on the positive reviews, but I ended up being quite disappointed. The story felt disjointed and lacked a clear direction. The characters were underdeveloped and I couldn't really connect with any of them. Additionally, I found the humor to be quite childish and forced. Overall, I just couldn't get into the book and it didn't meet my expectations.
2. Sarah - ★☆☆☆☆
I really struggled to enjoy "Badjelly the witch". The writing style was incredibly simplistic and felt more suited to a children's picture book than a novel. The book lacked depth and substance, and I found myself bored throughout most of it. The characters were one-dimensional and the plot was predictable and uninteresting. I had hoped for a captivating and engaging read, but unfortunately, this book fell short for me.
3. Michael - ★★☆☆☆
I have to say, I was not a fan of "Badjelly the witch". The story felt chaotic and confusing, with no clear structure or flow. The humor, which many people seemed to enjoy, fell flat for me and I didn't find it funny at all. The illustrations were the only redeeming quality of this book, as they were quite well-done. However, they couldn't make up for the lackluster storytelling and overall unimpressive content. I would not recommend this book to others.
4. Emily - ★★☆☆☆
"Badjelly the witch" was not the enchanting and delightful read I was hoping for. The writing style felt choppy and unpolished, making it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the story. The characters were forgettable and lacked depth, which made it hard to care about their journey. The book also seemed to drag on for longer than necessary, with unnecessary scenes and dialogue slowing down the pace. Overall, I was left wanting more from this book and it just didn't captivate me like I had hoped.
5. David - ★☆☆☆☆
I cannot understand all the praise for "Badjelly the witch". I found the story to be incredibly boring and unoriginal. The humor felt forced and didn't elicit any genuine laughs from me. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, making it difficult for me to connect with the characters. Additionally, the plot felt disjointed and lacked any real sense of direction. Overall, I found this book to be a complete letdown and I would not recommend it to others.