Linda Smith (1) (1961–2000)

"On a knotty little hill, / In a dreary little funk, / Mrs. Biddlebox rolled over / On the wrong side of her bunk." So begins this rollicking rhyme of a picture-book, as the eponymous Mrs. Biddlebox finds that everything about the day either gives her a headache or makes her grumpy. Finally, having had enough, she uses her magical broom to sweep up the dreary, gray day, baking it (together with some sunshine) into something altogether better. Delightedly feasting on her cake, Mrs. Biddlebox confronts the beauties of the night, before heading to bed...

Having enjoyed author Linda's Smith's Mrs. Crump's Cat, as well as numerous titles from illustrator Marla Frazee, from her own The Farmer and the Clown to Liz Garton Scanlon's All the World, for which Frazee was awarded a Caldecott Honor, I was sure that I would enjoy Mrs. Biddlebox, particularly as I have a weakness for witchy picture-books. I was not wrong, and although I had to wait quite a while to read it - the very kind children's librarian at my local branch personally brought a reference copy of the book from another branch, so that I could read it on the library premises - it was worth the wait! The story has a matter-of-factly magical quality that is quite appealing, and the text itself is a pleasure to read. The accompanying artwork is delightful - beautifully expressive, and perfectly suited to the enchanted nature of the tale. The final scenes, in which stars sparkle against a bluish/blackish night, were simply gorgeous! Although Mrs. Biddlebox is never named as a witch, her magical broom, and the fact that she is described at one point as taking "witchety" pleasure in her spell, make it clear that she is. Highly recommend, to all picture-book readers who enjoy magical tales, as well as to fellow fans of Frazee's lovely artwork. I was sad to read, on the rear dust-jacket blurb, that Smith died of breast cancer in 2000, having only penned five picture-books. What a terrible shame!… (mere)

There lived an old lady who was very grumpy and didn't like children. She also had a cat who was just like her and hated kittens and other small things. When a family with five children move next door, the old woman becomes annoyed and decides she is going to find a way to get rid of them. When she comes across a witch with a potion to get rid of the children, her plan backfires when it doesn't work and the children turn into grumpy and needy old people! The old lady goes back to the witch to get a new potion in order to change them back to children when she realizes how them being older is way worse then being kids. When they are turned back into kids again, the old lady decides to give them a chance and she actually liked the kids and enjoyed being around them. The rhymes in the book were fun and easy to read and I think young kids will love this book. The illustrations are big and colorful and will draw the kids into the story.… (mere)