Witches in Children's Literature

 Between the ages of 6 and 9, my family lived in London just south of Buckingham Palace. My favorite place in all of London was Waterstones, the bookstore, where I purchased what I believed to be the best book ever. Room on the Broom is the story of a witch riding her broomstick through the woods. As she goes, more and more animals ask the witch "Is there room on your broom?".

This classic children's novel contains many of the stereotypical witch characteristics developed throughout history like a large pointy hat, wart-covered nose, and familiars like a cat and frog that join her on her broomstick ride. Room on the Broom became a sensation with British children leading to the creation of coloring books, sequels, stuffed witches, and even an animated film. (visit https://roomonthebroom.com/ for more)

 Reflecting on my experience reading this book made me curious about the different ways witches are represented, specifically in children's literature. When I began looking at compiled lists of children's books about witches, I noticed one theme of female empowerment. The Littlest Witch is about a small witch who proves she can save the day even with her small stature. Only a Witch Can Fly tells the story of a little girl whose perseverance helps her to fly. Finally, Straganona highlights how witches/women can use their strengths to help others. All these stories and more highlight what makes the character different (being a witch) and show how that is a strength and makes them special. The use of the stereotypical witch image is a vessel for young children to easily identify the difference between that character and others so they can clearly comprehend the message of the story. 

There are also many children's literature examples of women being evil as a witch figure. The books focused on empowerment were almost exclusively for readers ages 3 to 7.  The villain depiction is more common in chapter books for older children. I immediately think of Witches by Roald Dahl and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Through Jadis and the Grand High Witch, women with power and control are villanized using the witch figure.  Both are eventually defeated by men/male figures who are significantly less powerful than them at the beginning. 

The witch figure is a powerful one for creating an "Other" both positively and negatively. In society, when our daughters are little we want to foster confidence in their differences, which explains the positive portrayal of witches in picture books. As children become pre-teens and teenagers, fitting becomes the focus in their lives and a key component of their developing frontal lobe. Being an "Other" at that stage in life would be seen as terrible by those readers. I would argue the chapter books that villanize witch figures are also communicating to young boys that women with power are dangerous and untrustworthy, which is a whole other conversation.