The hare, the owl and the hedgehog plan a party for all of their woodland friends in this picture-book from the Netherlands, deciding that they will also invite the Wicked Witch who lives nearby. Rather grouchy, and deeply involved in a days-along spell, the witch refuses, but when her potion is spoiled on the night of the party, she blames the carousing animals for her misfortune, and sets out to ruin their celebration. Fortunately, the hare doesn't give her any chance to make mischief, immediately involving her in the dancing and merrymaking, and all ends happily...

Originally published in Dutch as Kom je dansen, boze heks?, this sweet picture-book is the ninth title from author Hanna Kraan and illustrator Annemarie van Haeringen to feature the eponymous Wicked Witch - or, more accurately, the "angry witch" - but only the first in picture-book form. The character of "de Boze Heks" first appeared in 1990, in the pages of the story collection, Verhalen van de boze heks - translated into English as Tales of the Wicked Witch - and she went on to star in seven more such collections. The first three of these collections have been translated into English, and I hope to track them down at some point and read them. I enjoyed Come and Dance, Wicked Witch!, finding the story engaging and the artwork interesting, but I couldn't help wondering whether it would have made a stronger impression upon me, were I already familiar with the characters. On the other hand, I didn't feel at a disadvantage, not having read the earlier titles, and perhaps the picture-book format here makes a good introduction to the world of "de boze heks" for younger children. However that might be, it is to younger children who enjoy stories of witches and woodland animals that I would recommend this one, as well as to those readers interested in Dutch children's books. ( )

Netherlands import; animals have a party and invite the witch ( )