Which Witch by Eva Ibbotson (1988, Paperback, Reprint)

This is a delightful book for the pre-teen reader. Although, I throughly enjoyed it as an adult. It is an easy read - fast paced and funny.

Arriman the Awful, the handsome, wicked sorcerer decides he must marry to beget a child to pass on his evil ways. After all he won't be young and handsome forever. His retainer devises a contest of the local coven of witches to see who Arriman's new bride will be.

Will it be Mother Bloodwort who turns herself into a coffee table and forgets how to turn back? Or could it be Ethel Feedbag whos familiar is a pig? The terrible twins Nancy or Nora? Surely not Belladonna, the only white witch of the coven in whos' footsteps flowers grow? Or could it be Mable Wrack on who's scaly legs lungfish garters grow? Or the new contender, not of the coven, Mrs. Olympia who has had five husbands - all of whom did not last long? Or someone else entirely that no one expected?

Meet the witches and thier familiars. What will happen to the witch who doesn't have a familiar? Can an earthworm serve as a familiar? Or a boy?

All these questions and more can be answered by reading this book.

I belive you will throughly enjoy reading this book. It would be a good read-to-me book for younger children.