I really hope one of these books shows the Big Witch engaging more with Dorrie - she seems to be such a background character, but maybe that’s a purposeful decision, so as to let Dorrie take center stage?

Dorrie - that little witch whose stockings are always mismatched, whose hat is always on crooked, and who is always accompanied by her faithful cat companion, Gink - stars in her fourth fabulous adventure in Dorrie and the Weather Box, causing trouble once again as she attempts to use her mother's magic. Deciding one Wednesday morning that she would like to go on a picnic, Dorrie sets out to "fix" the weather, with predictably disastrous results. It may be sunny outside, but only because Dorrie had brought the storm into the house! What will the Big Witch say, when she returns and finds it raining indoors...?

Prompted by my recent discovery that this series of early-reader picture-books, which I simply adored as a girl, included a number of titles with which I was unfamiliar, I have begun rereading the entire lot - not always an easy task, given how difficult some of them are to locate. This entry was one of the ones I pored over when younger, and (now that I have had the pleasure of rereading it) reminds me of Dorrie's Magic, which also featured a tale involving Dorrie's misuse of her mother's magical supplies.

Vastly entertaining, with charming illustrations that never fail to draw me in, Patricia Coombs' books are often little domestic comedies, all dressed up in witchy attire. I imagine that they would appeal, both to young children who dream, ala Harry Potter, of being witches and wizards, and to those who can identify with doing something naughty, when left unsupervised. In short, the Dorrie the Little Witch books should have broad appeal, and I continue to be mystified that no one has thought to reprint them! ( )

Very enjoyable little story of a young witch and what happens when she tries to clear up the weather outside. ( )