Out looking for pumpkins to be turned into jack-o-lanterns, Donald Duck and his three nephews observe what appears to be a witch in flight in this Disney picture-book from the 1950s. Scoffing at the very idea of witches, Donald Duck assures his nephews that there is no such thing. Not convinced, Hughie, Louie and Dewey set out to find the witch the next day, and when they succeed, they decided to play a Halloween trick on their uncle, with the help of Witch Hazel...

Published in 1953 as part of the Little Golden Books line, Walt Disney's Donald Duck and the Witch, was apparently based upon the 1952 animated short film, Trick or Treat. In the film Witch Hazel aids the boys when their uncle plays a trick on them, rather than giving them treats when they come Trick or Treating one Halloween night. By contrast, in the book the issue is Donald Duck's non-belief in witches and his nephews' mischievous desire to play a trick on him. The story is fun, and sure to please young Halloween lovers, as well as fans of these characters. As someone who grew up mostly sans Disney, this was my first encounter with Witch Hazel, but having enjoyed the book and the film (which I found on youtube), I will have to see whether the character recurred in subsequent adventures. ( )