The curse of shadows and thorns is a mysterious and ancient phenomenon that has fascinated humans for centuries. It is said to be a malevolent force that brings darkness and misery to those it afflicts. The curse is believed to originate from a long-forgotten event or entity that was wronged and seeks revenge. Legends surrounding the curse often describe its victims as being plagued by constant darkness and shadowy figures that follow their every move. These shadowy figures are said to be thorns growing from the depths of the curse, with the purpose of causing pain and suffering. The curse is said to not only affect the physical well-being of its victims but also their mental and emotional state, driving them to despair and isolation.
But Polly the witch and Buster the feelings monster have been best friends forever. It’s the sort of friendship that makes your heart squeeze with happiness. Somehow, they've managed to keep their friendship a secret. Until one day, when everything changes.
Their friendship is very important to Polly as Buster has an wonderful ability to make her feel better, And even if you never find that thing you are good at, you will always be special to me. Her sister, Winifred, is good at everything and appears to take great delight in spying on Polly and constantly getting her in trouble with their mother.
The curse is said to not only affect the physical well-being of its victims but also their mental and emotional state, driving them to despair and isolation. Throughout history, many cultures and societies have attempted to understand and combat the curse of shadows and thorns. Various rituals and spells have been created, passed down through generations, in an attempt to ward off or lift the curse.
The wayward witcl and the feelings moster
Sally Rippin has previously brought readers of younger junior fiction the series of Billy B Brown and Hey Jack!
The Wayward Witch and the Feelings Monster is the first page-turning book in Sally's new series, Polly and Buster. This series is perfect for the more advanced readers of junior fiction books. It encompasses themes of family, friendship, learning difficulties, loyalty, acceptance, emotions, bullying and prejudice in a sensitive, non-preachy manner.
In the story The Wayward Witch and the Feelings Monster the reader is introduced to Polly Proggett, a young witch who has immense problems with casting spells and making friends at school.
Polly's favourite teacher, Miss Spinnaker, tries to help Polly by placing her in a group of very good potion makers. However, Polly is too embarrassed to ask for help and as feared the wart disappearing potion goes disastrously wrong. Polly is teased by Malorie Halloway which fuels Polly's temper and she squirts the wort potion into Malorie's face, causing a catastrophe. The situation leaves Polly with a heavy heart, wishing that she could do things right and be liked by other witches.
At home things are just as difficult. Polly's once happy family of four became a family of three after her father was killed in a mine accident. Her sister, Winifred, is good at everything and appears to take great delight in spying on Polly and constantly getting her in trouble with their mother.
Luckily, Polly has her monster friend, Buster. Their friendship is very important to Polly as Buster has an wonderful ability to make her feel better, 'And even if you never find that thing you are good at, you will always be special to me'. Buster has a secret ability, he is a feelings monster whose body changes shape and size with his emotions.
While Polly loves Buster, she is greatly conflicted by the pressure she feels to not acknowledge their friendship publicly, as it is socially unacceptable for a witch to be friends with a monster.
In the world that Polly and Buster live in, there is segregation between witches and monsters. One example of this segregation is that monsters must sit at the back of the bus, ' After all, a monster must always know their place. ' Polly cannot understand why this prejudice towards monsters appears to be gaining momentum within the witches and warlock community. She finds her own loyalty towards Buster challenged when both their schools attend an excursion at the National Gallery.
At the National Gallery Miss Spinnaker assigns Polly and Malorie as partners, hoping that the girls could learn to work together. During the excursion Malorie realises that Polly is a talented drawer and the girls begin to form a friendship. Polly likes this feeling of acceptance and having a witch as a friend.
To protect this new friendship Polly chooses to deny knowing Buster when he starts to wave at her and call her name . Her actions causes Buster to shrink into a small grey ball which makes him a target for the other monsters to bully. Will Polly help Buster or will she do whatever it takes to be friends with Malorie?
The consequence of Polly's choice will create other difficult decisions for Polly as the story unfolds. Will she loose a friend? Will she be popular at school? Will she join the movement against monsters? And will she ever cast a spell that works?
The Wayward Witch and the Feelings Monster is a great first book of a new series, that leaves the reader wanting to know what happens next. Sally Rippin has created a thought-provoking story with dashes of humour. The characters in the story are complex, emotional and intriguing. The book is produced with the reader's level in mind, with a text size that is appropriate and Sally's illustrations gives the reader some glorious visuals to look at while reading.
The Wayward Witch and the Feelings Monster is a spell-binding story, please excuse the pun.
Teachers Notes for The Wayward Witch and the Feelings Monster are available here.
If you would like to read Sally Rippin's answers to our 12 Curly Questions see here .
Title: The Wayward Witch and the Feelings Monster
Author/Illustrator: Sally Rippin
Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont, $19.99
Publication Date: 1 June 2017
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760129019
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However, these attempts have often been met with limited success, as the curse seems to have a mind of its own. One common belief is that the curse can only be lifted by finding and rectifying the original wrong that caused it. This involves delving into the depths of history and uncovering the truth behind the curse. Often, this endeavor requires great courage and sacrifice, as the forces behind the curse are not easily defeated. The curse of shadows and thorns has been the subject of many tales and stories, both in literature and folklore. It serves as a cautionary reminder of the consequences of our actions and the importance of seeking redemption and forgiveness. In modern times, the curse of shadows and thorns continues to captivate people's imaginations. It has become a popular theme in movies, books, and video games, often serving as a central plot device that drives the story forward. Overall, the curse of shadows and thorns is a fascinating concept that has endured throughout history. It represents the dark side of human nature and the consequences of our actions. Whether it is based on actual events or purely mythological, the curse serves as a reminder of the power of forgiveness and redemption..
Reviews for "Confronting the Curse: Overcoming Shadows and Thorns"
1. Katie - 2/5 stars - "I was really excited to read 'Curse of Shadows and Thorns' based on all the positive reviews, but I couldn't get into it at all. The characters felt flat and uninteresting, and the plot moved at a snail's pace. I was hoping for a thrilling and suspenseful read, but instead, I was left feeling bored and unengaged. The magic system was poorly explained, and it seemed like the author was making things up as they went along. Overall, 'Curse of Shadows and Thorns' was a huge disappointment for me."
2. Mark - 3/5 stars - "While I didn't hate 'Curse of Shadows and Thorns,' I didn't love it either. The story had potential, but it lacked the depth and complexity that I was expecting. The world-building was minimal, and I found it hard to believe in the magic and fantastical elements that were introduced. The characters were average and easily forgettable, making it hard for me to truly invest in their journey. It had moments of intrigue, but ultimately, I was left unsatisfied with the overall execution."
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - "I had high hopes for 'Curse of Shadows and Thorns,' but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The writing style was uninspiring, and it felt like a chore to get through each chapter. The story lacked originality and felt like a rehash of other fantasy novels I've read before. The romance subplot was predictable and didn't add much to the story. Overall, I found 'Curse of Shadows and Thorns' to be forgettable and wouldn't recommend it to others looking for a captivating fantasy read."