Synopses & Reviews
Only a witch can fly.
But one little girl wants to fly—more than anything. So on a special night, with the moon shining bright and her cat by her side, she gathers herself up, she grips her broom tight, and she tries. And she fails. And shes brave. And she tries again. Until . . .
Utterly enchanting, New York Times-bestselling author Alison McGhees lyrical language and Taeeun Yoos transcendent linoleum block prints create a bewitching tale about finding ones own path that will send your heart soaring.
Only a Witch Can Fly is a 2010 Bank Street Best Childrens Book of the Year.
Review
Praise for Only a Witch Can Fly:
“The effortless quiet of McGhees words is beautifully matched by Yoos pictures. …Theres more than enough magic in these pages…for young readers and for their parents, who might otherwise give up on finding anything truly enchanting about Halloween.” —The New York Times Book Review
“Its an enchanting book that makes a compelling point about the perseverance needed to follow your dreams. Its not hard to imagine such a potent message resonating with young readers this Halloween.” —BookPage
"This sophisticated picture book is rich with imagination… More personal, quiet, and transcendent than most Halloween books, this is not a call to witchcraft, but rather to following ones heart." —Booklist“Like its protagonist, this book soars." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review “This gentle, lyrical tale, written in the unusual poetic stanzas of a medieval sestina, recounts a young trick-or-treaters dogged attempts to make her dreams of flight come true. …This is a quieter, more reflective addition to Halloween collections that offers an enchanting storytime read-aloud.” —School Library Journal “Beneath the vintage spooky setting lies a subtle message about perseverance and individuality.” —Publishers Weekly
“Written as a sestina, a poetry form that originated in the twelfth century, the words and pictures evoke the magic of Halloween and a little girl's longing to fly.…superb linoleum block prints with hints of another time fill each double-page spread.” —Childrens Literature
About the Author
Alison McGhee is the award-winning author of numerous books for children and adults, including the New York Times-bestselling picture books Somebody, illustrated by Peter Reynolds, and A Very Brave Witch, illustrated by Harry Bliss, and the novel, Shadow Baby, a Pulitzer Prize-nominee and a Today Show pick. McGhee is a professor of creative writing at Metropolitan State University and a founding member of Hamline Universitys MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. She lives in Minnesota with her family.
Taeeun Yoo received the Founders Award—for the most promising new talent of the year—from the Society of Illustrators for her debut picture book The Little Red Fish, about which Publishers Weekly in a starred review raved, “exhilarating visual images . . . shutting the book feels like awakening from a dream.” She also illustrated stunning new covers for Madeleine LEngles A Wrinkle in Time quintet. Born and raised in Korea, Yoo came to New York City to study illustration at The School of Visual Arts, where she earned her MFA. She lives in New York City.