Boo-La-La: Witch Spa
By Samantha Berger; illustrated by Isabel Roxas
Remember what it feels like as parents the day after Halloween? “Spent” is a pretty good descriptive word to describe the feeling. After the endless costume searches, looking for that last accoutrement to complete the costume, stocking up on treats for the doorbell ringers on October 31st, and the door to door march, parents are pretty well pooped.
Imagine how witches feel the day after the Big Day? Maybe they need a day at a spa to be pampered, perfumed and fussed over.
Samantha Berger, in her picture book, “Boo-La-La: Witch Spa,” has imagined the perfect getaway for witches that need a day away.
What with the cackling, cooking up of spells and general haunting flights on moonlit nights, a witch needs a day to recoup and Bo-La-La is the perfect spot for the put upon witch. And nothing is overlooked at Ms. Berger’s Boo-La-La Spa.
Greeted by gnomes at the door, a witch will find herself immersed in any number of tantalizing treatments.
Toadstool and skunk scented candles set the mood as you enter. Ensconced in a fake yeti fur robe, it is on to the treatments of choice, be they:
Broom Bristle Facials
Pumpkin Gut Masks
Serpent Spit Spritzers
Scalp Rubs by Spiders
or any number of other things that are, as they say, “Fab-Boo,” to any witch that needs to rejuvenate.
Soaking in cauldrons of mold, an Eye of Newt Wrap, and a Skin Scrub done by a willing Scarab beetle, is the living end. Dragons breath saunas are deeply relaxing with a Stone Massage administered by a Hag; highly skilled, but of course.
Believe me, Georgette Klinger, Elizabeth Arden, The Golden Door and Sonoma Inn and Spa have nothing on this witch wonder treatment facility.
And what would a proper spa be without a healthful luncheon of Hex Mex and Jinx Drinks accompanied by Candy Corn Flan.
Hair care is an absolute must; what will the wind blowing through it on high flying broomsticks. So, a bit of Black Widow Oil deep condition and a uplift of green highlights and lowlights, do wonders for the “spirits.”
Finally, carting off a collection of “perfumes, powders and potions” to keep up the effect at home, or hovel, this cutie witch newly transformed, finds:
Her heart’s filled with joy and her soul with laughter.
she cannot believe the before and the after!
She leaves the Witch Spa, feeling like a Witch Queen
and vows to come back after next Halloween!
Ms. Berger, author of “Crankenstein” and “Snoozefest,” has captured the cadence and companionable allure of the Witch Spa named Boo-La-La, allowing picture book readers a view at what young witches do on the day after, the day after, All Hallows Eve!
Sign me up.
But, I think I’ll pass on the “Made at Midnight” hair color choice with glittery stars done in Silver Moonlight. Sounds Fab-Boo, but maybe a bit too much!
As soon as I heard about
Goodnight Songs by Margaret Wise Brown I knew it needed to be in my home. A collection of 12 lullabies illustrated by some of the finest illustrators in the field, it also includes a beautiful CD of all the songs. The cover is by
Isabel Roxas (and it's our favorite song of the CD!) I'm sharing a few of my favorite spreads below (so hard to pick!):
Best Reads from the Philippines at the 3rd Asian Festival of Children’s Content ~ by Tarie Sabido
Part 1 of 3
May 26 to 29 was the 3rd Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC) in Singapore, and this year the festival highlighted children’s books from the Philippines! The Philippine booth at the festival showcased the six winners of the 1st Philippine National Children’s Book Awards along with other fiction and nonfiction picture books from leading Philippine publishers Tahanan Books, Adarna House, Bookmark, Lampara Books, Anvil, and CANVAS. I am very happy and proud to report that visitors to the booth oohed and aahed over all the book illustrations!
One of the featured panel discussions at the AFCC was “Trajectories and Themes in Children’s Literature from the Philippines,” with the popular and award-winning children’s book creators Russell Molina (Philippines), Jomike Tejido (Philippines), Candy Gourlay (UK/Philippines), and Isabel Roxas (US/Philippines). With joy and verve, Russell, Jomike, Candy, and Isabel set up for the audience a window to the Philippine children’s literature scene. Russell announced that it was more fun writing children’s books in the Philippines because the entire community loves stories and participates in storytelling. Some of the stories the Filipino community loves to share are about our modern-day heroes: hardworking overseas Filipino workers and the families they support in the Philippines. Jomike introduced the wide variety of illustrations for Philippine traditional picture books (legends and folk tales), contemporary picture books, informative picture books, and pop picture books (urban culture-based picture books). In the Philippines, illustrations for children include everything from fine art that also appeals to adults and intricate collage, to abstract art and digital work this is e-book and app-ready.
Candy told the story of how she learned that she shouldn’t write what she knows, she should write who she is! For years,
Candy wrote stories that did not feature the Philippines or Filipino characters. These stories were all rejected by publishers in the UK and she was not published until she realized that being Filipino was part of what made her an interesting writer, and that a story with a distinctly Filipino perspective is a special story. Lastly, Isabel talked about her advantages and disadvantages as a Filipino illustrator in the US. Her advantages include the Internet as a great equalizer, all the uncovered territory in picture books, and of course, her unique Filipino point of view. Her disadvantages include her lack of a network in the US, greater competition, and readers’ lack of exposure to Philippine culture. Fortunate
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