Fuse 8 n’ Kate: The Witch Next Door by Norman Bridwell

The final Halloween-inspired episode of October is always a bittersweet time. And once more, pity my sister. I happened to notice that there’s a Clifford the Big Red Dog film out in theaters at the moment and it got me to thinking. Clifford = creator Norman Bridwell. And didn’t Norman Bridwell do a Halloween book of his own once? One that I happened to remember from my own childhood? Alas for Kate, this means that we are doing a THIRD witch and broom-related picture book in a row. I’m in a witch rut! I can only do witches!!

Listen to the whole show here on Soundcloud or download it through iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, PlayerFM, or your preferred method of podcast selection.

Show Notes:

I like Kate’s theory that the witch wandered into a Manic Panic store and just lifted the first shade of green she was able to see. Particularly since I personally believe that that is also where she got those socks.

Hard not to notice that she’s approaching it like a sheriff entering a saloon. Also, someone didn’t pay her parking.

One thing that I do honestly appreciate about my sister is that when she looks at an image like this one, she immediately zeroes in on … the vulture. Hard not to contemplate why it was that Bridwell felt inspired to add it to this illustration.

Kate votes for this to be the scariest image in this book. I like it because it allowed me to make a “dad joke” (How does she smell? Terrible!).

“And then we come to the most scientifically inaccurate picture .” I kind of went down a rabbit hole trying to figure out how bats actually do drink.

Kate has a whole theory with these two, that they’re undercover witches themselves ala The Americans.

We’re still trying to figure out how this solution to angry neighbors applies to your average Home Owner’s Association.

It’s not fancy, but if ever you want to create a Witch Next Door cupcake, here’s the recipe.

Kate Recommends: Muppets Haunted Mansion. (By the way, I have a theory that Gonzo is the de facto leader of the Muppets now because he’s the only original cast member still working with the company anymore). Kate also did the Haunted Mansion Game. ” ‘It can’t hurt you’ RAVES Kate Atienza!”

Betsy Recommends: I’ll be writing a lot more about this later this week, but here’s Evanston Public Library’s 101 Great Books for Kids.

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