A witch and her cat embrace community in this heartwarming tale about a broom full of new friends.
Author: Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
Pages: 32
Age Range: 3-7
We have been created for community, yet because of sin and brokenness we often resist things that we desperately need. Julia Donaldson recognizes this felt need in her delightful children's book, Room on the Broom.
The story begins with a witch and her cat enjoying a ride on the witch's broom. All is going well for the two friends until the wind wisps away the witch's hat. As they land and begin searching, out pops a dog carrying the lost hat. The dog gives her the hat back and asks if there is room on the broom for him. He's not the only one who will be asking that question throughout the pages of this book.
Do I belong here? Is there a place for me? Just like the dog, bird, and frog in Room on the Broom, our kids need community. They need a place to be who God has created them to be.
The book ends with a face-off between the new friends and a hungry dragon. By joining together, they are able to bravely stand up to the enemy. Two are better than one. A strand of three cords is not easily broken. That will preach...and the best way to hear truth is told "slant" through story.
Why Read This Book?
Room on the Broom gives us a beautiful picture of what Christian community should be. To the question, "Is there a place for me?" the witch ALWAYS answers yes. Without hesitation. Without judgement. Without any conditions attached. She invites her new friends to be a part of community. She affirms to each individual that there is a place for them on her broom.
But that's not all! If you are looking at this story through the lens of the Gospel, you also see the body of Christ doing what it does best. Each individual using his own gifts to further the kingdom. At the end of the story, all the guests on the broom find something to throw into the witch's cauldron to fix the broken broom. Everyone's gift is needed for the spell to work. And with an "Iggety, ziggety, zaggety, ZOOM!"
Out rose...A TRULY MAGNIFICENT BROOM.
I want my kids to participate in a community like that. Let's allow this one to simmer in the lives of our kids as we also seek to be this type of community for everyone we encounter.
Check it out at your local library or add it to your family bookshelf.
Click below to buy it on Amazon.
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