Lulu Witch can't wait to start school but finds herself tormented by the tricks and showboating of classmate Sandy Witch. Luckily, a case of lizard pox keeps Lulu home long enough to recharge--and gives her something in common with her nemesis. O'Connor's simple narrative brimming with subtle witch-y jokes captures Lulu's feelings, and Sinclair's illustrations add humor without overshadowing the message.

Lulu Witch is excited to begin witch school--that is, until a know-it-all classmate spoils the experience. Will the two witches ever get along? This reissue of O'Connor's 1990 title features updated illustrations from Sinclair. Her pictures have a retro appeal that gives this quaint tale for beginning readers a classic touch. When children are not busy practicing their reading skills, they will have fun spotting the bugs, mouse, lizard or scorpion in each of the spot illustrations. The author deftly utilizes repetition and familiar sight words to create a story about a situation most kids will recognize. Lulu is ready to learn and make new friends, but Sandy Witch boasts about what she has and what she already knows how to do. (She may be a bit jealous of Lulu's skill on the broom or the compliment Lulu receives from the teacher about her new dress.) Sandy makes fun of Lulu and continually tries to outdo her. When Lulu wakes up with lizard pox and cannot go to school, she's at first glad to be away from Sandy Witch but then quickly gets bored. While Lulu walks to school on her first day back, she decides to not let Sandy Witch's comments about her spots unnerve her. But when Sandy Witch comes to class with her own set of spots, the two girls finally begin to mend their relationship. While new readers will giggle at details such as the teacher's name (Miss Slime) or the rat-liver sandwich Lulu eats for lunch, mostly they will appreciate the story, which resonates with their own experience. (Early reader. 5-8)

Gr 1-2 Arriving at school on her very first day, Lulu Witch meets her teach er, who had a long nose and a wart on her chin. Lulu thought Miss Slime was very pretty.'' This type of skewed perception should amuse beginning read ers. Lulu's apprehension about starting school and her initiation into the com plex social dynamics of a classroom are described concisely and convincingly. Lulu feels both envy and adulation to wards her perfect classmate, Sandy Witch. Sandy's hostility towards Lulu may be provoked by similar feelings on Sandy's part: when Miss Slime admires Lulu's new dress, Sandy casts a spell on it, changing the pretty spiders to hid eous flowers. It takeslizard pox'' and a new independent spirit on Lulu's part to bring the two witches together at the end. McCully's watercolor wash and pencil illustrations add considerable charm and interest to this well-written story. Character is revealed with minimal detail (as when Lulu's anxiety and Sandy's smugness is shown in their first scene together). The humor wears a bit thin, but on the whole, Lulu. . . is a pleasant and appropriate choice for be ginning readers. Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, Ill.