Horn Book (Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2012)

Bossy Earwig is not your typical orphan in distress. She's adopted by an unpleasant witch and a nine-foot-tall fire-demon but takes advantage of the situation and learns magic to outwit the witch. This early chapter book features a nonstop plot, memorable characters, an accessible design, and plentiful line illustrations. A worthy introduction to the delights of a master fantasy writer.

School Library Journal (Sat Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2011)

PreS-K Ricky's parents have been too busy to get a Christmas tree, so the rabbit with lopsided ears convinces his dad to tear himself away from his bills to buy oneand though at first his dad is crabby, the two end up having fun in the snow. Thanks to the big tree and Ricky's dad's improved mood, the holiday is merry after all. The illustrations, with their simple shapes, thick dark outlines, and warm colors, have plenty of appeal for toddlers and preschoolers. Though the text isn't particularly noteworthy, this is a pleasant little tale about a boy and his dad. Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

ALA Booklist (Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 CST 2012)

Only in an unorthodox children's book does a girl hope that she won't be chosen by a family and taken away from the orphanage. But then, Earwig isn't your typical orphan. Although she was never told that her mother was a witch, this resolute, resourceful child does seem to have a mysterious ability to get her own way. Even when cruel Bella Yaga chooses the girl and takes her away to live as her servant, Earwig quickly picks up enough magic to turn the tables on the old witch. Written for a younger audience than most of the magical novels by the late Jones, this early chapter book offers an amusing story in which it takes hard work as well as magic and cleverness to bring about a happy ending. Zelinsky's expressive drawings, some not seen in final form, perfectly capture the offbeat characters and the droll tone of the text. A refreshing change of pace for young fantasy fans.

Kirkus Reviews

A cunning heroine learns magic in Jones' last, posthumous offering. Most children hate orphanages, but Earwig--Erica Wigg, according to her birth certificate--loves hers. Earwig manages people to perfection, and everyone at Saint Morwald's Home for Children does exactly what Earwig wants, whether it's making her a shepherd's pie or buying her a new red sweater. She's excellent at making herself unlovable to potential foster parents so they'll leave her alone in sunny St. Morwald's. But a terrible new pair of prospective parents arrives at the home: nasty-faced Bella Yaga and the Mandrake, a ridiculously tall man who seems to have horns. Bella Yaga and the Mandrake cart Earwig off, willy-nilly, to powder rats' bones and cook breakfast. Indomitable Earwig determines that if she must work for a smelly witch, at least she'll learn magic. But how to do so when wicked Bella Yaga keeps threatening to give her worms? Moreover, no matter what, Earwig has been warned not to disturb the Mandrake, who trucks with demons. Earwig, illustrated with marvelous vitality by Zelinsky, is not to be trifled with. There's just the right level of grotesquerie and scariness (worms that are "blue and purple and very wriggly") in this utterly charming chapter book. Earwig, as a spunky as any Jones heroine, keeps young and old readers chuckling through sadness at an era's end. (Fantasy. 7-9)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

This funny story updates fairy tale conventions while highlighting Jones-s subversive wit and her firm belief that children can control their own lives. Earwig rules the roost at St. Morwald-s Home for Children until she is adopted by a witchy woman named Bella Yaga with -one brown eye and one blue one, and a raggety, ribby look to her face.- Earwig hopes to learn magic from Bella Yaga, but is trapped in the woman-s decrepit house, sharing it with the Mandrake, an impossibly tall and grouchy being. Powerful and evil, Bella Yaga uses Earwig as a second pair of hands for grinding up disgusting things in bowls (-The only thing wrong with magic is that it smells so awful,- Earwig quips). The witch and the Mandrake, however, have never before dealt with a determined girl who claims alpha status; Zelinsky-s spot art, not all seen by PW, makes it clear that the squinty, pigtailed heroine is not someone to be trifled with. Featuring delightfully odd characters and eccentric magic, this all too brief tale is a fine introduction to the late author-s more complex YA novels. Ages 8-12. Agent: Laura Cecil. (Feb.)