Once upon a time in a mystical village, there lived a witch with a big nose. The villagers, being superstitious, believed that her prominent nose was a sign of her extraordinary powers. With her long, crooked nose, she stood out from the crowd, both feared and respected by all. The witch, named Esmeralda, had inherited her magical abilities from her ancestors. She had spent her entire life studying and perfecting her craft, mastering potions, spells, and enchantments. Esmeralda was known far and wide for her expertise in healing ailments and solving problems that seemed impossible to solve.

The Witch with the Long, Sharp Nose

A native of Lynchburg, Virginia, Ms. Faulkner developed her love of history growing up and taught school in Virginia before moving to New York City where she wrote many books for children.

Esmeralda was known far and wide for her expertise in healing ailments and solving problems that seemed impossible to solve. With her big nose, Esmeralda possessed an exceptional sense of smell. She claimed that her nose could sniff out the ingredients for any potion or detect the presence of magic in the air.

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The eponymous witch with the long, sharply-pointed nose lived in a small cottage with a tall chimney, on the edge of a vast forest. With her lived three black kittens, and a young girl named Jennie Maria. Setting off to town one day, to do the shopping, the witch warned Jennie Maria not to look in the chimney while she was gone. Naturally, having exhausted all of her other activities, and becoming bored, the girl did just that, and found a feather bag full of money. Terrified, when she couldn't get the bag back into the chimney, Jennie Maria panicked, taking off into the forest. Passing two houses, where she found no refuge, the exhausted girl eventually came to rest in the home of a young boy. But the witch, returned home from her shopping, was on her trail.

Originally published in 1972, The Witch with the Long, Sharp Nose was apparently a story handed down in author Nancy Faulkner's family for many generations. Faulkner is better known for her works of historical fiction for young readers - The Traitor Queen , The Sacred Jewel , etc. - and this is one of only a few picture-books she penned. The story is interesting, with a certain amount of whimsy - I loved the witch's long nose, which gets so tired at one point that it drags upon the ground - and it sets up an engaging premise, with Jennie Maria becoming frightened and running off. That said, a number of things didn't quite make sense to me - why, for instance, did Jennie Maria take the bag with her, when she fled? - and I was left wondering what happened in the end. The story cuts off as the witch drives Jennie Maria home, poking the girl with her nose, but there is no indication what will happen next - will Jennie Maria be punished? will the two settle back into their lives? It's impossible to say. Although the open-ended conclusion left me wanting more, I did enjoy this fairy-tale-style story, and I appreciated the accompanying artwork from Ronald M. LeHew, done in a cute, colorful style that reminded me just a bit of Mary Engelbreit. This is a fairly obscure book - I had to request it through inter-library loan - but if one can obtain a copy, I recommended it to picture-book readers who enjoy fairy-tales, witchy fare, and vintage illustrative styles.

Fifteen Eighty Four

The villagers often sought her help when they needed to find lost objects or when someone fell ill. Esmeralda's big nose was also a source of inspiration for her creativity. She used it as a magical tool, blowing dust off ancient scrolls and books, providing clues for her spellcasting. The witch's nose became a symbol of wisdom and intuition, a repository of ancient knowledge and secrets. Despite her extraordinary abilities, the villagers couldn't help but be a little wary of Esmeralda due to her striking appearance. Some whispered about her big nose being a curse or a mark of evil. Little did they know that it was merely a physical trait that had no bearing on Esmeralda's character or her intentions. One day, a young girl named Lily approached Esmeralda in search of a remedy for her grandmother's illness. The girl had heard stories about the witch's magical abilities but was still unsure due to her intimidating appearance. As Esmeralda worked her magic, Lily realized that appearances could be deceiving, and true power lay within. Over time, the villagers started to see past Esmeralda's big nose and appreciate her for who she truly was – a kind-hearted, wise, and powerful witch. They began to understand that her distinctive feature was simply a part of her unique identity, representing her strength and connection with the mystical world. Esmeralda continued to use her extraordinary powers, guided by her big nose, to assist those in need. She became a beloved figure in the village, a symbol of hope, and a reminder that true beauty lies in one's actions and inner qualities, rather than in their outward appearance. As time went on, the villagers learned that it was important not to judge others based on their physical attributes, as everyone has their own special gifts and talents. Esmeralda's big nose serves as a reminder of this valuable lesson, leaving a lasting impression on the villagers for generations to come..

Reviews for "The witch's big nose: celebrating uniqueness and embracing nonconformity"

1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Witch big nose." The storyline was confusing and lacked coherence. I struggled to connect with the characters and found their actions and motives to be unrealistic. Additionally, the humor fell flat for me, and I didn't find myself laughing as often as I had hoped. Overall, this book just didn't live up to my expectations.

2. Sarah - 1 star - I couldn't stand "Witch big nose." The writing style was amateurish, with repetitive phrases and awkward sentence structures. The plot was predictable and lacked originality. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to care about their fates. I found myself skipping pages just to finish the book and move on to something better.

3. Michael - 2.5 stars - "Witch big nose" was a very underwhelming read for me. The pacing was slow, and it took too long for the story to gain momentum. I also found the dialogues to be stiff and unnatural, which made it hard for me to engage with the characters. The ending felt rushed and didn't provide sufficient closure for the various plotlines introduced throughout the book. While there were some interesting ideas sprinkled throughout, overall, I felt let down by this novel.

4. Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Witch big nose," but unfortunately, it didn't deliver. The characters were rather forgettable, and I struggled to remember who was who throughout the story. The writing style was also too simplistic for my taste, lacking the depth and complexity I usually enjoy in fantasy novels. The world-building felt lacking and could have been developed further to make the setting more immersive. Overall, this book left me feeling unimpressed and wanting more.

The witch's big nose in art: exploring its significance in different cultures