User:Rebeccafranz

= The Witch's Garden =

The Witch's Garden is a children's picture book written and illustrated by Lidia Postma. It was first published in Holland under the title De Heksentuin. It was distributed in the United States by McGraw-Hill the following year.

Plot Summary
A group of children pass a little brick house on their way home from school each day. Trees cast ominous looking shadows upon an unruly, overgrown garden. The children believe the elderly woman who inhabits the house is a witch. In an attempt to frighten her, they create a monster costume from various household items they have colairlected. Their performance compels the woman to come outside and the children scramble in search of hiding places. She thanks them for the entertainment and invites them inside for a visit. Although the children are wary, they follow her into the kitchen. While the children fill their bellies with pancakes the woman has made for them, she recounts her girlhood encounters with a mysterious circus populated by elves and fairies. After they have finished their meal, the woman takes the children for a walk to a nearby pond. Much to their disbelief and amazement, they are introduced to some of the woman's otherworldly friends. When the children depart, they are unsure as to whether the day's events really took place or if was imagined. However, they each return to their homes with a renewed sense of wonder and a newfound respect and fondness for the woman.

This tale carries an important lesson about hearsay and intolerance.

About the author
Lidia Postma was born in Hoorn, Holland in 1952. She is the author and/or illustrator of many children's books as well as adult's fantasy books.

Other titles

 * The Golden Bird
 * J.R.R. Tolkein: A Biography
 * Stolen Mirror
 * The Tolkein Bestiary by David Day
 * Tom Thumb: A Tale
 * The Twelve Dancing Princesses and other tales from Grimm