The Witch with the Remarkable Nose: A Story of Love and Redemption

Once upon a time, in a small village on the outskirts of a dense forest, lived a witch. This witch, however, was not your usual, cliché witch with a pointy hat and a broomstick. No, this witch had a rather distinctive feature that set her apart from the rest - a considerable nose. This witch's nose was not just big; it was enormous. In fact, it was so large that it seemed to have a life of its own. It had a mind of its own, too, as it would twitch and wiggle in different directions, almost as if it had a sense of smell that was far beyond that of a typical human being.

Grizelda was always pretty feisty but I have to be honest and say those things you mention grew enormously as the plot developed. I owe a lot to my publisher, Maverick, for that. I initially wrote it as a funny book but Maverick saw potential in the premise for something a bit deeper and Kim Nye (the Managing Editor) encouraged me to really bring out Grizelda’s character and give it a strong theme.

As for what children will take from it, it s not for me to decide and I always like to leave that to the reader but at heart I suppose it s a story about self-confidence and not being afraid to stand your ground. As girls are particularly vulnerable to cultural standards that dictate how their bodies should look, it s especially important to see a female character defy these.

It had a mind of its own, too, as it would twitch and wiggle in different directions, almost as if it had a sense of smell that was far beyond that of a typical human being. The villagers were both fascinated and frightened by the witch's nose. They would gossip amongst themselves, speculating on its powers and abilities.

Which Nose for Witch? by David Crosby & Carolina Coroa: Review + Interview

David Crosby is a rising star of the picture book world. His debut, Pirates vs. Monsters, won the prestigious Bishop's Stortford Award in 2021, despite being up against books by well-established and even famous authors. His second story, the hilarious and heartwarming Halloween-themed tale Which Nose for Witch?, has just been published.

We were delighted to chat to David about his amazing books and how he creates them. Read our review of Which Nose for Witch? and learn what inspired this story. Discover David's tips for successful rhyming, what it's like to share a name with a celebrity and which nose he would choose for himself.

So, what's this story about?

As witches come of age, it's traditional for them to swap their 'baby nose' for a grown-up (and hideous) one. When it's time for Grizelda to choose hers from The Conk Boutique, she encounters a problem. Grizelda can't find anything suitable, but could the solution to her predicament be as plain as the nose on her face?

What can we learn?

Just because something is expected, doesn't mean it's right, and even if something hasn't been done before, that doesn’t make it impossible.

What makes this stand out? This is an entirely unique take on the typical witch tale, with a fabulously self-confident main character and a wonderful mother-daughter relationship at its heart.

About the illustrations. They're fantastic — so animated and amusing! There are lots of clever background details like mischievous mice, candle-lit mirrors and a witch-specific notice board which enrich Grizelda's world. I love the little star ornament on Grizelda's broomstick, the spider that's always suspended from her hair and how rustic her mother's wand is. The facial expressions and body language of the characters makes them and their interactions even more real and relatable.

Why we love it.

Grizelda encourages children to break the mould and resist the pressure to conform to the ideals of others. As girls are particularly vulnerable to cultural standards that dictate how their bodies should look, it's especially important to see a female character defy these. I think we've all been either Mum or Grizelda at different times in our lives! It's brilliant to see such a relatable scenario, despite the magical setting.

Why you need it. Grizelda is an excellent role model who isn't afraid to trust herself or stand by her convictions. I love how comfortable she is in her own skin. As children and parents are mirrored in its pages, Which Nose for Witch? will appeal to both. Although this book is ideal for reading as Halloween approaches, it's an empowering and entertaining story suitable for any time of the year.

Watch a trailer for Which Nose for Witch?:

Read our Q&A with author David Crosby.

Which Nose for Witch? is an interesting and highly original take on witches! How did you get the idea for this story and what do you hope children will take from it?

Everything came from the idea that all witches are born with your “average” nose and reach a day in their childhood when they get to choose their grown-up witch nose.

My original plan was for a high concept book with the title “A Witch’s Guide to Picking Your Nose” and I remember thinking it could be like a guide book – pick a nose shape, now choose how many warts and so on – and I could get in loads of funny words for “nose” such as “conk”, “schnozz”, “beak” and the like and then get some laughs from the apparent drawbacks of each choice. I imagined it looking a bit like Oi Frog with very comedic and vivid illustrations.

I also had rather grand thoughts that it could come with a reflective “hall of mirrors” type final page to give children and their grown-ups a laugh and even a face filter app where you can pick your own witch’s nose. Of course, those things cost fortunes so I remembered I’m not Julia Donaldson and put such thoughts from my mind!

Anyway, there was a flaw in my plan, which is that there are really only two or three archetypal shapes when it comes to witches’ noses – long and pointy, or hook-shaped, or a combination of those two – and I didn’t think I could stretch the idea far enough for a 12 spread plus picture book.

So, I ended up coming up with a proper “narrative” story instead in which we follow a young witch on the day she gets to choose her grown-up witch nose. Grizelda was born! As for what children will take from it, it’s not for me to decide and I always like to leave that to the reader but at heart I suppose it’s a story about self-confidence and not being afraid to stand your ground.

I love how confident, brave and self-assured Grizelda is. She isn’t afraid to speak her mind, trust her instincts, go against tradition and do what she wants. Was this an important element of the story from the beginning or did it emerge as the plot developed?

Grizelda was always pretty feisty but I have to be honest and say those things you mention grew enormously as the plot developed. I owe a lot to my publisher, Maverick, for that. I initially wrote it as a funny book but Maverick saw potential in the premise for something a bit deeper and Kim Nye (the Managing Editor) encouraged me to really bring out Grizelda’s character and give it a strong theme.

My first book, Pirates vs. Monsters, barely changed from submission to final version but this one went through a lot of drafts and development. I had so much support from Kim and Juliet West at Maverick throughout. It was tough at times and it was a steep learning curve but I feel I really improved my writing as a result of Kim and Juliet’s challenge and guidance. Maverick are known for championing and supporting new authors and that reputation is well-deserved.

It must have been exciting to see Carolina’s illustrations for the first time! Were Grizelda and the various noses just as you’d imagined?

It was! Getting the illustrations back is always the most exciting part of the picture book process. They’re never exactly as you imagine them because obviously illustrators aren’t mind readers and can’t see inside your head! But make no mistake, illustrators are the magicians of the picture book world. I’m in awe of them. I don’t know how they do it. I absolutely loved Griz and her mum – they are adorable and have a cinematic quality. I think you can feel the love in their mother/daughter relationship in the illustrations and, judging by the feedback we’re getting, it’s really connecting with readers. Carolina went above and beyond with those noses – there were more than I could ever have possibly imagined!

Do you have a favourite spread from the book and if so, which is it and why?

Ah man why did you have to ask that? It’s too hard to choose! I’m torn between three. I love the one that ended up on the front cover, where Griz is holding the jar with a nose in it. I'm also fond of the final spread, with a very confident looking Griz on her broomstick in front of the parade of shops. And I really like the one where Griz and her mum first enter The Conk Boutique. They have that look of sheer wonder in their eyes; I love her mum’s expression in this one. Oh go on, it’s the one in The Conk Boutique then! That’s actually the one Carolina did as an initial sample too.

Which nose, if any, would you choose for yourself?

I think any nose would be better than my nose! It’s been bashed and bent in my footballing days by flying elbows! It’s funny because a strong nose is a bit of a family trait (some family members might say a curse ha!) so I’m quietly amused that I’ve ended up having this book about noses published. If I had to choose, I’d have to go for the pointy one with two warts on the end for pure comedy value. Although I do enjoy an ice cream, so I’d probably regret it come the summer!

My first book, Pirates vs. Monsters, barely changed from submission to final version but this one went through a lot of drafts and development. I had so much support from Kim and Juliet West at Maverick throughout. It was tough at times and it was a steep learning curve but I feel I really improved my writing as a result of Kim and Juliet’s challenge and guidance. Maverick are known for championing and supporting new authors and that reputation is well-deserved.

Some believed that the nose could detect the presence of magic, while others thought it could sniff out danger from miles away. Despite her unusual feature, the witch was quite friendly and loved interacting with the villagers. She would often use her considerable nose to help those in need. If someone lost a valuable item, the witch would lend a hand (or rather, a nose) and sniff it out in no time. If a child went missing, the witch would follow the scent trail and bring them back safely. However, not everyone trusted the witch and her nose. There were a few villagers who saw her as a threat, someone to be feared and avoided. They spread rumors about her using her nose to cast spells and curses on people. These rumors only fueled the fear and mistrust in the hearts of the villagers. One day, a young girl named Emma stumbled upon the witch's cottage while playing in the forest. She was not afraid of the witch or her nose; in fact, she found it quite intriguing. Emma approached the witch with innocence and curiosity, asking if she could get a closer look at her remarkable nose. The witch, touched by Emma's genuine interest, granted her request. She explained that her nose was not a source of evil or darkness, as some believed, but rather a gift. This nose allowed her to connect with her surroundings in ways that others could not. It helped her understand the needs and desires of the people and creatures around her. Emma was amazed by this revelation. She saw that the witch's nose was not something to be feared, but rather something to be admired and respected. From that day forward, Emma became the witch's closest friend, and together they worked to dispel the fears and misunderstandings of the villagers. With each act of kindness and helpfulness, the witch and her considerable nose began to win over the hearts of the villagers. They soon realized that she was not the source of their fears but a beacon of hope and compassion in their community. In time, the village came to appreciate the witch for who she was - a wise and caring woman with a remarkable nose. They no longer saw her as a witch, but rather as a friend and ally. And so, the witch with the considerable nose became an integral and beloved part of the village, proving that true beauty lies not in appearances but in the goodness of one's heart..

Reviews for "The Witch's Nose: An Indicator of Her Magical Abilities"

1. Jack - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Witch with a considerable nose". The story felt disjointed and lacked a clear plot. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it hard for me to connect with them. Additionally, the pacing was slow and made the book drag on. Overall, I found it difficult to stay engaged and ended up not enjoying the reading experience.

2. Sophie - 1 star - "Witch with a considerable nose" was a complete letdown for me. I found the writing style to be dry and lifeless, lacking any sort of excitement or emotion. The story itself was predictable, with no surprising twists or turns. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and the interactions between characters felt wooden. I struggled to finish the book and would not recommend it to others who are looking for an engaging and captivating read.

3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Witch with a considerable nose", but it failed to captivate my interest. The writing felt amateurish and lacked sophistication. The world-building was minimal, leaving me with a lack of understanding of the magical elements within the story. The main character, despite having a unique physical characteristic, was one-dimensional and lacked growth throughout the book. The overall plot was weak and didn't offer much excitement. Unfortunately, this book was a miss for me and I wouldn't recommend it to fellow readers.

The Witch with the Enchanting Nose: A Tale of Beauty and Curses