Die kleine Hexe (The Little Witch)

Author: Otfried Preußler
Original Title: Die kleine Hexe
Genre: Children's book

Original publisher: Thienemann Verlag
Date first published: 1957
Date first read: ca. early 1993

Main character(s):Die kleine Hexe (the Little Witch), Abraxas (her raven)
Favorite quote: N/A

Synopsis: *SPOILERS*
The little witch is only 127 years old, and though she lives alone with her raven Abraxas, the older witches don’t take her serious. When she is found sneaking into the yearly witches dance at the Blocksberg, her broom snapped in half, and she’s given a year to become a “good witch” if she is to be accepted. So the little witch spends the year doing good deeds, such as saving kittens, only to find out the next year that a good witch is actually an evil witch! The other witches punish her by making her gather wood for the next annual witches dance around the great witch bonfire (“Walpurgisnacht”), but the little which tricks them and burns their brooms and spell books in the bonfire, taking away their powers.

Review:
The Little Witch is a beautiful children’s book, written by one of the most eminent German children’s book writers. According to him, the book was written for his own children, as an explanation of why they do not need to fear evil witches. It is a classic of German children’s literature and a must for everyone who enjoys reading to their kids.
I read it as one of the first books in Germany. I think I may have borrowed it from my best friend - she has the original editions, I believe.