Synopses & Reviews
andlt;b andgt;Heidi Heckelbeck displays her witching skills in this second book of a new young chapter book series!andlt;/bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;bandgt;Now readers between the ages of five and seven can read chapter books tailor-made for a younger level of reading comprehension. Heavily illustrated with large type, Little Simon's young chapter books let young readers feel like they are reading a and#8220;grown-upand#8221; format with subject, text, and illustrations geared specifically for their own age groups!andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;/bandgt;Heidi Heckelbeck seems like any other eight-year-old, but she has a secret: Sheand#8217;s a witch in disguise. Careful to keep her powers hidden (but excited to use them all the same), Heidiand#8217;s learning to live like any other kidand#8212;who just happens to be witch. And with easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, Heidi Heckelbeck chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Thanks to meanie Melanie Maplethorpe, Heidi is cast as a scary tree in the school play, andlt;iandgt;The Wizard of Ozandlt;/iandgt;. Heidi decides to get even with Melanie by casting a spell on her. The result of the spell? Melanieand#8212;who has the lead role as Dorothyand#8212;will forget her lines. As the day of the play nears, Heidi carefully collects all the ingredients she needs. But when she casts her spell, will Heidiand#8217;s revenge be as sweet as she thinks?
Review
COVEN, Wanda. Heidi Heckelbeck Casts a Spell. illus. by Priscilla Burris. 118p. (Heidi Heckelbeck Series). CIP. S andamp; S/Little Simon. 2012. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-4088-3; pap. $4.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-3567-4; ebook $5.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-3568-1. LC 2011014336. andlt;BRandgt; Gr 1-3and#8211;Heidi Heckelbeck, a witch, is upset about a girl in her second-grade class who is unaccountably mean to her. When she gets fed up with Melanie, she finds a way to make her nemesis forget her lines for the school play. Heidi spends much of the book assembling ingredients for her spell, such as a puppy tooth and a piece of straw. When she works her magic and Melanie starts to cry, she feels bad, reverses the spell, and everything works out well. The typeface is large and clear, and the word choice is simple. Small to full-page pictures prompt early readers on every page. This is a slight story with no surprises. There is little humor or suspense, but its sheer simplicity might make it a rewarding choice for early or struggling readers.and#8211;Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK andlt;BRandgt; andlt;iandgt;School Library Journalandlt;/iandgt;, May 2012
Synopsis
Heidi Heckelbeck displays her witching skills in this second book of a new young chapter book series
Now readers between the ages of five and seven can read chapter books tailor-made for a younger level of reading comprehension. Heavily illustrated with large type, Little Simon's young chapter books let young readers feel like they are reading a "grown-up" format with subject, text, and illustrations geared specifically for their own age groups
Heidi Heckelbeck seems like any other eight-year-old, but she has a secret: She's a witch in disguise. Careful to keep her powers hidden (but excited to use them all the same), Heidi's learning to live like any other kid--who just happens to be witch. And with easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, Heidi Heckelbeck chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.
Thanks to meanie Melanie Maplethorpe, Heidi is cast as a scary tree in the school play, The Wizard of Oz. Heidi decides to get even with Melanie by casting a spell on her. The result of the spell? Melanie--who has the lead role as Dorothy--will forget her lines. As the day of the play nears, Heidi carefully collects all the ingredients she needs. But when she casts her spell, will Heidi's revenge be as sweet as she thinks?
Synopsis
Meet Heidi Heckelbeck. Heidi is just like any other 8 year-old. She eats peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch. She hates all vegetables. She picks on her younger brother, Henry. She begrudgingly does her homework. She’s a witch. A witch? Yup. That’s right. Heidi is a witch in disguise.
Heidi loves practicing her witching skills. Her parents worry that one day she’ll slip up and their secret will be discovered, but Heidi insists that she’s always careful to disguise her powers. (She has had some close calls, though.) While Heidi’s witching skills will come into play in each book, the fact that she’s a witch won’t be the central aspect of each story. Heidi will encounter the same challenges that any 8-year-old would, and she will need to find a way to balance her desire to use her powers and her need to fit into her new school.
Thanks to meanie Melanie Maplethorpe, Heidi is cast as a scary tree in the school play, The Wizard of Oz. Heidi decides to get even with Melanie by casting a spell on her. The result of the spell? Melanie--who has the lead role as Dorothy—will forget her lines. As the day of the play nears, Heidi carefully collects all the ingredients she needs. But when she casts her spell, will Heidi’s revenge be as sweet as she thinks?
With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Heidi Heckelbeck chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.
About the Author
Wanda Coven has always loved magic. When she was little, she used to make secret potions from smooshed shells and acorns. Then she would pretend to transport herself and her friends to enchanted places. Now she visits other worlds through writing. Wanda lives with her husband and son in San Jose, California. They have three cats: Hilda, Agnes, and Claw-dia.Priscilla Burris has illustrated numerous books and materials for children, parents, and teachers. She enjoys cake painting and creating art for products that include murals, greeting cards, and rubber stamps. Priscilla lives with her family in Southern California.