Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks (2011), Hardcover, 144 pages
Description
Although an orphan, Earwig has always enjoyed living at St. Morwald's, where she manages to make everyone do her bidding, but when she is taken in by a foster parents who are actually a witch and a demon, she has a hard time trying to turn the situation to her advantage.
User reviews
LibraryThing member phoebesmum
This is presumably the last Diana Wynne Jones there will ever be, unless she’s left a manuscript behind. It’s a short (very short) story for younger children, all about a plucky, not to say bossy, orphan, and the witch who adopts her and rather comes to regret it. Vintage DWJ. Far too brief, of
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course, but all we can do now is be thankful for her legacy. Show Less
LibraryThing member math_foo
It is light and delightful. And to the best of my memory, the sort of book I would have enjoyed reading as a child.
LibraryThing member JackieBlem
This is a hilarious tale of Earwig, a little girl dropped off at a orphanage with a note pinned to her saying "Got the other twelve witches all chasing me. I'll be back for her when I've shook them off. It may take years. Her name is Earwig." Though the orphanage had regular tours of potential
This reminds me, in a lot of ways (including a wild hairdo), of Pippi Longstocking, whom I loved greatly in my childhood. This updated version has magical tricks and treats and no small amount of humor. I wish this was to be a series, but alas, Jones passed away in 2011. Still this is an amazing treat, and I can see why Neil Gaiman says "I would like to declare Diann Wynne Jones an international treasure."
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foster parents going through, Earwig, who has "a very strong personality", managed to never be picked, on purpose. She liked her ability to get whatever she wanted there. However, a very strange couple (though only she seemed to be able to see HOW strange) took her home with them. The woman is a witch who just needs "an extra pair of hands", and the man is something else (made clear by the horns that are not quite hidden on his head). And so her adventure begins.This reminds me, in a lot of ways (including a wild hairdo), of Pippi Longstocking, whom I loved greatly in my childhood. This updated version has magical tricks and treats and no small amount of humor. I wish this was to be a series, but alas, Jones passed away in 2011. Still this is an amazing treat, and I can see why Neil Gaiman says "I would like to declare Diann Wynne Jones an international treasure."
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LibraryThing member readinggeek451
The last book from Diana Wynne Jones. This is a much younger book than Jones usually wrote. Enjoyable enough, but very slight.
LibraryThing member foggidawn
Earwig loves life at St. Morwald's Home for Children. She has everyone, from the matron to the cook to the youngest orphan, under her thumb. She has no intention of being adopted -- until Bella Yaga and the Mandrake show up. Bella Yaga proves to have an even stronger personality than Earwig . . .
This book is so typically Diana Wynne Jones -- quirky and funny and delightful. It skews a little younger than many of Jones' other books, so will serve as a great introduction for young readers. Earwig doesn't seem a sympathetic character at first, but by the end of the book, readers will be firmly under her spell.
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or does she? Bella Yaga and the Mandrake take Earwig home with them despite her objections. Though Earwig is homesick for the orphanage, she is hopeful that Bella Yaga will teach her some magic. Bella Yaga, however, is only looking for "another pair of hands" -- someone to chop ingredients and stir cauldrons and clean the workroom. What follows is an epic battle of wills. Will Earwig convince Bella Yaga to teach her magic, or has the determined young girl finally met her match?This book is so typically Diana Wynne Jones -- quirky and funny and delightful. It skews a little younger than many of Jones' other books, so will serve as a great introduction for young readers. Earwig doesn't seem a sympathetic character at first, but by the end of the book, readers will be firmly under her spell.
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LibraryThing member simchaboston
A light, fun read best used as a chaser in between more serious or longer books. Since this is designed for younger readers, it doesn't have the mind-bending twists of Jones' more complex novels ... if Wynne Jones were alive, I would wish for her to rewrite this for older readers and expand the
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whole story. And write many more, of course. *sigh* Show Less
LibraryThing member Rachel.Seltz
Ages 8-11.
Earwig is perfectly happy to remain at St. Morwald’s Home for Children. But one day, her uncanny ability to deter prospective foster-parents fails, and she goes home with the strangest couple: Bella Yaga, a “raggety, ribby” faced woman with terrible fashion sense, and a tall man who
Children who love classic fairy tale takes on magic will enjoy the wonderful descriptions of disgusting spell ingredients and secret brewing processes. Despite her fantastic situation, Earwig is a relatable character in that she is a head-strong child responding to a situation where someone else is the boss. The witch's threats to give people worms and the brooding mandrake may frighten some young children, but the story is more whimsical than scary.
Zelinsky’s pen and ink illustrations capture the spunk and ingenuity of Earwig’s personality. His illustrations add great visual appeal as he depicts the fascinating details of the workshop and whirling bits of demons.
Fifteen lines of text per page with generous whitespace and simple sentence structure will assist readers transitioning from easy readers to more complex texts.
Earwig is clever, likes a challenge, and is determined to have her way. Readers will cheer on this formidable young witch. Recommended.
Earwig is perfectly happy to remain at St. Morwald’s Home for Children. But one day, her uncanny ability to deter prospective foster-parents fails, and she goes home with the strangest couple: Bella Yaga, a “raggety, ribby” faced woman with terrible fashion sense, and a tall man who
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seems to have horns above his ears. At her new home, Earwig is instructed to grind rats bones and pick herbs for the cauldron, and soon determines that Bella Yaga is a witch. With the help of her new friend Thomas the cat, Earwig sets her mind to learning magic herself.Children who love classic fairy tale takes on magic will enjoy the wonderful descriptions of disgusting spell ingredients and secret brewing processes. Despite her fantastic situation, Earwig is a relatable character in that she is a head-strong child responding to a situation where someone else is the boss. The witch's threats to give people worms and the brooding mandrake may frighten some young children, but the story is more whimsical than scary.
Zelinsky’s pen and ink illustrations capture the spunk and ingenuity of Earwig’s personality. His illustrations add great visual appeal as he depicts the fascinating details of the workshop and whirling bits of demons.
Fifteen lines of text per page with generous whitespace and simple sentence structure will assist readers transitioning from easy readers to more complex texts.
Earwig is clever, likes a challenge, and is determined to have her way. Readers will cheer on this formidable young witch. Recommended.
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LibraryThing member LindaLiu
This was a really good read. I could have finished it in an hour, but spread it out over a few days mixing it up with the other book I started. I might have given it more stars if it had been a little longer and in more depth. I know it is a young children's book, but I could see the potential
Anyway, the story is about a little girl, Earwing who lives happily in an Orphanage, with good friends and people who do what she wants. She doesn't want to leave, but a strange couple come one day and pick her to everyone's surprise. Turns out the woman is a witch in need of an assistant/slave and the man a mandrake, a rather grumpy but well-mannered demon. They don't know what they've let themselves into when they take Earwig home with them. She does not know it, but is the daughter of a witch, and purposes talents of her own, coupled with her intelligence and arrogance, she eventually gets people around her to do what she wants and these two are no exception. And of course, she makes a new friends in Thomas, the talking black cat, with whom she conspires to get her way! It reminded me a bit of a DWJ short story, What the Cat Told Me. I like talking animals! :)
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story that DWJ could have expanded it into. It's the last book she wrote entirely herself.Anyway, the story is about a little girl, Earwing who lives happily in an Orphanage, with good friends and people who do what she wants. She doesn't want to leave, but a strange couple come one day and pick her to everyone's surprise. Turns out the woman is a witch in need of an assistant/slave and the man a mandrake, a rather grumpy but well-mannered demon. They don't know what they've let themselves into when they take Earwig home with them. She does not know it, but is the daughter of a witch, and purposes talents of her own, coupled with her intelligence and arrogance, she eventually gets people around her to do what she wants and these two are no exception. And of course, she makes a new friends in Thomas, the talking black cat, with whom she conspires to get her way! It reminded me a bit of a DWJ short story, What the Cat Told Me. I like talking animals! :)
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LibraryThing member themulhern
Very short Diana Wynne Jones book, geared toward younger readers. One kind of thinks there should have been a sequel, after all there is still the mystery of Earwig's mother, who is still on the run, evidently.
LibraryThing member jjmcgaffey
Fun little story. Earwig sounds like she'll be nasty, but somehow manages to make everyone do what she wants without being either a bully or a schemer. Mostly, she's lucky! There should be a good bit more to the story - her mother, and such - but this is what we have. I needed a break from Strange
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and Norrell. Show Less
LibraryThing member mutantpudding
Fun little story but not one that stuck with me particularly. I am excited to watch the movie of it that's been made.
Awards
The Best Children's Books of the Year (Nine to Twelve — 2013)
Language
Original publication date
2011-06-09
Physical description
144 p.
ISBN
0007416857 / 9780007416851
Local notes
Most orphanages are horrible, but Earwig has a surprising amount of power over everyone at St Morwald’s Home for Children, and loves it there. The last thing she wants is to be adopted by the very strange Bella Yaga, demon-attended Mandrake, and talking black cat Thomas. Earwig wants to learn magic, but will need all her ingenuity and help from a familiar to survive.