Room on the Broom
A witch keeps saying yes to one more passenger, and it turns out that was a good idea.
Why they ask for it again
The pile-up is hilarious, the dragon is scary for exactly the right amount of time, and every friend gets to help.
Our review
A kind witch keeps losing things in the wind, and each animal who finds one asks for a ride. Cat, dog, bird, frog: the broom gets heavier, then snaps, and just as a dragon arrives for a witch and chips, the animals team up to become a truly horrible monster.
This is Donaldson's most generous book. The moral, that being kind to people pays off in a crisis, arrives only through the plot, never through a lecture. And with four sets of animal noises to do, it may be the best workout a reading parent can get.
How to read it aloud
Build the pile of voices, then give the dragon a very posh accent. "Witch and chips" should sound like a man ordering lunch.
The catch
It is a bit long if your kid is already half asleep. Save it for a night with energy.
Is it scary?
A dragon threatens to eat the witch. It is short, and the animals save the day.
Books like Room on the Broom, and what to read next
The GruffaloSame creative team. If somehow you have not read it yet, start there.
The Paper Bag PrincessAnother book where a dragon gets outsmarted.
Giraffes Can't DanceThe same warm rhyme, about being the odd one out.
The Girl, The Lights & The PrinceAnother big-hearted story in rhyme, with a heroine who leaves home.
Also good for
Quick answers
What age is Room on the Broom for?
Ages 2–6. The sweet spot, in our opinion, is age 3 to 5.
How long does Room on the Broom take to read aloud?
About 7 minutes at a calm bedtime pace, by our estimate. Allow longer if you do the voices.
Is Room on the Broom scary?
A dragon threatens to eat the witch. It is short, and the animals save the day.
What should we read after Room on the Broom?
We would suggest The Gruffalo, The Paper Bag Princess, Giraffes Can't Dance, The Girl, The Lights & The Prince (we have a personal connection to this one).