Cora Annett

Discontented because the Old Man and Old Woman with whom he lives don't seem to appreciate him as much as the Canary, Cat and Dog, Alf the donkey tries everything he can think of to make himself more lovable, copying these other animals in the process. When serenading the old couple at dawn, trying to climb into the Old Woman's lap, and attempting to play with the Old Man only lead to confusion, Alf becomes despondent and bitter. Deciding to run away, he instead ends up hidden on the roof of the old couple's farmhouse, where he gets to witness their reaction to his disappearance—something they attribute to a witch's visit. Surprised to discover that he is valued, and that the other animals on the farm also have their work, Alf longs to return, but how can he get down from the roof...?

Published in 1975, How the Witch Got Alf is a book I initially tracked down because of my "witchy witches" project, in which I examine picture-books and early readers with witchy content. As it turns out, it is neither a story about a witch—the old couple imagine a witch has kidnapped Alf, but no actual witch appears in the story—nor is it a picture-book. Rather, it is an illustrated short story, one in which the text predominates. Although there are no chapters here, I have placed the book on my "chapter books" shelf, as it is midway between a leveled early reader and a full-length children's novel. The story itself is sweet, and younger children are likely to sympathize wholeheartedly with Alf, who just wants to feel that he too is appreciated. The black and white illustrations from Steven Kellogg, who is perhaps better known for his picture-books, are appealing, ably capturing Alf's various emotions. Recommended to young readers who enjoy animal stories, and to anyone looking for children's books featuring donkeys as characters.… (meer)