Lovely book. My son loved me reading it to him. The targeted audience. It was easy to read and well written

Honestly, I didn't like <i>Snitchy Witch</i> by Frank J. Sileo and illustrated by MacKenzie Haley. And I know a part of me went into reading this book with the understanding that I was going to have a difficult time with the topic since I personally believe that "snitching" is something that people and children go overboard with. And while I wish I could say that this book really does help clarify the situation of snitching for children, it runs into some issues that I feel make it confusing.

The basic premise of this story is that the main character is a snitch and she snitches for attention. As a teacher, I have definitely been in a situation of having a student who tells on other children largely for attention. But here's the thing; some of the examples used for the times when the main character shouldn't be snitching are frankly just unacceptable to me. I'm sorry, but if a kid is stealing, that is not a situation where the child who has told on the one thieving is in the wrong. And it's presented that way in the book. Instead of having the "snitch" tell on the other kids when they're doing things that upset her but aren't necessarily bad, the snitch is actually reporting on unacceptable behavior in several circumstances.

Are we really trying to push the idea that children shouldn't go to an adult when other children are misbehaving?

Add in the fact that, flustered with having been tattled on so much, the other kids cast a magical spell to make it so that the main character can't speak to adults unless it risks someone's safety, and I was just thoroughly annoyed with the book as I neared the end. In its own way, this book is also suggesting that bullying is an appropriate reaction to deal with a peer who is informing adults about your bad behavior. And I find that problematic as well.

I understand where the author was coming from with this book and the message he was trying to send, but I genuinely feel as though he completely missed the mark. It is not "tattling" or "snitching" to inform an adult when other children are misbehaving. Is it annoying? Sure. Is it likely to upset the kid that you told on them and they got in trouble? Sure. Can it cause problems with friendships? Definitely. Is it right to suggest that bad behavior shouldn't be reported? I don't think so.

Now, if the examples had been more along the lines of "such and such picked their nose" or "such and such didn't pick up after themselves" or "such and such wouldn't share their favorite toy," then that would make more sense as far as snitching goes. But when someone steals? Touches breakable items that they're not supposed to? Taking extra sweets? These are things that are perfectly reasonable to go to an adult for. And while I fully understand that some children's motives behind going to adults for certain things aren't exactly great, but it's ridiculous to also suggest that they shouldn't go to adults just because it will upset their friends.

What kind of behavior is that supporting for children? As they grow older, what things will they suddenly let slide with their friends? Shoplifting? One of the characters in the story stole potion ingredients that weren't hers and it was implied that to inform an adult of this would be snitching. And I just...the intent was good, but the message it actually sends is not one that I would support. I do genuinely feel as though the examples need to be re-examined.

One thing I did love, however, was the artwork. <i>Snitchy Witch </i>was incredibly fun and well-drawn. I enjoyed how the characters were portrayed for the most part and the backgrounds of the witch camp was really cool. Aside from the artwork, though, I didn't really care for the book. I did appreciate the bit at the end for parents that offers a bit more information on "snitching," but I certainly would look elsewhere if I wanted to teach my child the difference between tattling for bad reasons and informing adults when something is wrong.

<i>I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</i>

My favorite part of this book was definitely the illustrations. They are so vibrant and appealing and they complement the text well.

This is a book in the American Psychological Association series. Each title is designed to help young children to learn about and cope with issues that face them as they grow up. In this one, the story is about a young witch who keeps tattling on her peers. This causes the other children to dislike her. They cast a spell on Wanda to teach her a lesson. All ends well as Wanda learns the difference between telling due to danger to another and catching all childish misbehavior. At the end of the book there is a very helpful section for adults on how to help children to know when it is important to tell a grownup something and how to help children in coping. Reasons that a child might be the one who always tells are also explored.

The section for adults is well done. My quibble with this book was that the solution was for a group of children to "gang up" on another child. This may be true to what can happen but I felt that it gave a somewhat wrong message with how to cope with another child's behavior, even if that behavior was troublesome.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the book in exchange for an honest review.

Cute little story about witches at camp and one of them is no fun because she snitches on everyone for everything. It's a learning morals type of story in a Halloween theme relating to when snitching is good to save another from harm. There is a page for adults in the back on how to handle snitchers. Artwork is fine, not a favorite, but not boring either.

I love a good Halloween themed story and the illustrations in this book were fantastic. I understand the meaning behind the story, but I disagree immensely with some of the examples used to teach children not to "snitch or tattle." My rating for this book is for the illustrations only. I am sure my personal opinion on the story itself will be in the minority and I would never want opinion to hinder an author.

Thank you, NetGalley and American Psychological Association for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy.

An important message learning the difference between snitching and talking to a grown up when you are genuinely worried about something or someone getting hurt. It will require a lot of discussion with you and your young one so that they will be able to tell the difference. This book also has very engaging illustrations and the story is fun.

An adorable story about the difference between tattling/snitching and telling someone useful information. The illustrations in this book area also really great.

Snitchy Witch is a story about a witch named Wanda who learns the difference between snitching and telling when someone could get hurt.

This book helps children learn a difficult lesson about how snitching can be hurtful and why you don’t need to rattle. It has a helpful parents guide in the back to help parents guide their children through this.

I love the illustrations. Dark and colourful. In beautiful Halloween colors.

Snitch witch by Frank J. Sileo.
A lovely little read for young children. Very colourful pictures. Great way to teach about snitching. 5*.