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Picklewitch and Jack

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Picklewitch and Jack Reviews | Toppsta

Book Rating: 5 based on 14
14 Reviews
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The dreadful strangers moved in on a wild and windy Thursday.
'Fudgenuts,' cursed Picklewitch, adjusting her cracked binoculars to get a better view of the comings-and-goings. 'This won't do at all. I bet they haven't even bought me any cake.'

Picklewitch is, quite literally, out of her tree. She has a nose for naughtiness, a taste for trouble and a weakness for cake. And unluckily for brainbox Jack - winner of the 'Most Sensible Boy in School' for the third year running - she's about to choose him as her new best friend . . .

Picklewitch and Jack Reviews | Toppsta

9780571335183
  • ISBN: 9780571335183
  • Pub Date: 6th September 2018
  • Publisher: Faber & Faber
  • Imprint: Faber & Faber
  • Format: Paperback
  • Number of Pages: 240

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Series

This is Book 1 in the Picklewitch and Jack Series. See all Picklewitch and Jack books here.

Category

See More Fantasy & magical realism

See More Humorous stories

See More School stories

First Line

A fierce gale had been slashing at the shrubbery since lunchtime, pouncing on the weathervane and snorting wetly through the keyholes.

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Quotes

  • Friendship was so much more complicated than Jack had ever imagined, especially when that friend happened to be a witch.
6th November '18
MorganRH read it themselves aged 7 aged 7
Picklewitch and Jack 9780571335183
5 stars
This book had my daughter captivated from the first page with its fabulous descriptive text and beautiful illustrations.  The characters were very likeable and drew her in right from the beginning, having had friendship issues herself she could really engage with the story.  
The text/picture ratio was just right and the pictures really helped to tell the story, we loved looking at the pictures together.
The story was fabulously written and kept my daughter interested throughout and the added bonus was the jokes and spells at the back of the book - Perfect!
I would definitely recommend this book and we will be looking out for any more stories about Picklewitch!
18th March '19
jackkeene read it themselves aged 7 aged 7
Picklewitch and Jack 9780571335183
5 stars
Jack loved this book - especially because there was a character with his name! My Jack, like the book character is a bit of a brainbox although mine is nowhere near as organised as the character.

He loved the dynamic between the characters of Jack and Picklewitch and really enjoyed the story. It was a great read.
22nd October '18
I read it to Jemt aged 8 aged 8
Picklewitch and Jack 9780571335183
5 stars
We loved this book and was a great book to share at bedtime.  It follows the friendship between Picklewitch and Jack. Both of them are desperate for friendship but Jack doesn't quite know how to get along with Picklewitch, but he realises he can't get along without her in the end.  There are lots of funny stories in the books that made us laugh.  But it also helps children understand about accepting people for their differences.  
22nd October '18
Leonjames read it themselves aged 11 aged 11
Picklewitch and Jack 9780571335183
5 stars
This book was a joy to read. The story follows the unlikely friendship between Jack and picklewitch. Definitely worth a read my 6 year old sister enjoyed me reading it to her as she wanted to hear it. 
14th October '18
I read it myself (an adult)
Picklewitch and Jack 9780571335183
5 stars
PickleWitch and Jack is an amazing read ,I've read this book before giving it to my Grandaughter .
The story is about a boy named Jack and Picklewitch the witch.It's full of mayhem and mischief caused by Picklewitch that
good boy Jack gets the blame for.The story really draws in.I loved it from start to finish it's an absolute gem of a book
that makes you want to read more.Can't wait for my Granddaughter  to read this book.

 
10th September '18
I read it myself (an adult)
Picklewitch and Jack 9780571335183
5 stars
“...If Picklewitch had taught him anything it was that you should never judge a book by its cover...”

On receiving this book I thought it looked charming and the kid in me wanted to read it straight away. It’s a lovely story about a smart kid who moves to a new home in a new city and a new school. We all know that in such a situation making new friends could be difficult, but what if that friend was MAGIC????
Picklewitch is a 21st century witch who chooses Jack as her bestest friend. Even though Jack is reluctant, Picklewitch with her sweet, naughty, mischievous behaviour teaches Jack the magic of friendship and that “friends watch out for each other...”
I adore this book and was not able to put it down till I finished it. It’s one that I will definitely introduce to my daughter when she grows a little older. It’s full of charm and wit and I fell in love with Picklewitch as soon as I saw her on the book cover. I hope there is a sequel to this book as I would love to read more about the adventures of Picklewitch and Jack. I recommend reading this book with a mug of your favourite hot beverage and plenty of cake.
P.S if anyone tries to disturb you while reading this book just bamboozle them!!!!
A 5⭐️ + extra 2⭐️ read for all ages.
18th October '18
I read it to Poppy27 aged 6 aged 6
Picklewitch and Jack 9780571335183
5 stars
We love this book, reading a couple of chapters before bed each night. It is about an unlikely friendship between Jack, a smart, organised, sensible
Boy and Picklewitch a mischievous, independent girl witch. The book is full of fun and mayhem, which my daughter really liked. 
The cover illustration is lovely but the illustrations through outthebook are even more beautiful. My daughter is just starting to approach chapter books independently, but this book is longer than the chapter reads she is attempting,so think she would perhaps be ready to read independently in a year or so, when she is 7/8. 
I love all of the descriptive language used in this book, and that the author hasn’t shied away from using more difficult vocabulary. I love the made up words and sayings, and the recipe and spells in the back of the book are an added bonus.
24th November '18
SnipSkye 2 read it themselves aged 10 aged 10
Picklewitch and Jack 9780571335183
5 stars
My creative artistic asd daughter loved reading Picklewitch and Jack by Claire Barker & Illustrated by Teemu Juhan. This book is one of my daughters favourite picture books as she is a visual learner. The story is about an unlikely friendship between Jack and Picklewitch. My daughter can relate to this book as Picklewitch is always mischievous and Jack is the responsible one. Never Judge a book by its cover, my daughter would definitely be reading more books from this author.
20th November '18
wroxhamreading Year 5 read it themselves aged 9 to 10
Picklewitch and Jack 9780571335183
5 stars
Picklewitch and Jack is a very good book. It is about a tidy and organised Boy called Jack that hopes to make organised and neat friends at school but finds himself befriended with a mischievous witch…. Endure an adventure full of mystery and magic in this book.

Suitable for people 6+
5th November '18
AmieAllum read it themselves aged 9 aged 9
Picklewitch and Jack 9780571335183
5 stars
Amie absolutely loved this story, the combination of friendship problems and adventure are very relatable as a 9 year old girl. She has really enjoyed this story. She asked for help with a couple of words and we discussed the meaning. I love that this story uses a lovely range of vocabulary that some children may not have heard before. We love the spells too.

5* from us. 
7th September '18
I read it myself (an adult)
Picklewitch and Jack 9780571335183
5 stars
 ‘Picklewitch and Jack,’ the first book in a brand new series illustrated by Teemu Jahani, is a bundle of mischief and mayhem. Meet Jack a boy who has always stood out for the wrong reasons at his old school, so he is relieved to be starting at St Immaculate’s School for the Gifted, a place he feels he will finally find friends just like him. But little does he know that Picklewitch, a tiny witch with some very big plans, is about to turn his life upside down in the most unexpected of ways. For the first time in Jack’s life he finds himself constantly in trouble as he keeps getting the blame for all Pickelwitch’s disastrous magic. Jack really doesn’t need friends like Picklewitch or does he? He soon learns that friendship can be found in even the most unlikeliest of places and that maybe sometimes it helps to have a witch as your best friend.
From the moment I opened this book I was completely enchanted as Claire transports us into Picklewitch’s strange and fascinating world. Wonderfully atmospheric, her rich, lyrical writing allows the reader to see vividly before their eyes the sturdy walnut tree she calls home and hear the wind battering pouncing on the weathervane. You can sense something stirring as Picklewitch first cast her eyes on Jack and makes the decision that despite him being opposite in every way to her with his shiny shoes and smooth hair,  he WILL be her new best friend. As the story unfolds there are so many comic and cringeworthy moments as we watch Picklewitch disrupt Jack’s life beyond recognition. She is totally a law to herself and there is only one way and yes you guessed it, it’s her way.
Teemu’s glorious illustrations capture brilliantly the chaos unfolding, you can feel the energy and naughtiness crackle on the pages. I love how the characters personalities are expressed so clearly through his drawings, they bring Claire’s wonderful characters to life perfectly. Everything about this book is a joy from start to finish! It’s warm, funny and highlights the importance of loyalty in friendship and why above all else we should be true to yourself. Claire has managed to conjure up a real slice of magic that I know readers are bound to love. Heart-warming and hilarious in equal measures, for me this book is a real triumph in storytelling.
12th November '18
I read it to 1033ELLIS aged 6 aged 6
Picklewitch and Jack 9780571335183
4 stars
This was a bigger book than I have read to Ellis before but once we started it was easy to get into. We warmed to the characters quickly. Jack is a straight up kid who moves to a new area and a new school and hopes to make friends. Picklewitch is a naughty witch who seems to get Jack into trouble a lot. The book is a story of the unlikely friendship and is touching and funny.
There are illustrations throughput the book which are fantastic. Overall Ellis and myself enjoyed the story very much.
11th October '18
Ame read it themselves aged 10 aged 10
Picklewitch and Jack 9780571335183
4 stars
My daughter has read this and couldn’t put it down,she loved the characters and the modern twist on Picklewitch.100% must read 
23rd January '19
Kiaras read it themselves aged 8 aged 8
Picklewitch and Jack 9780571335183
4 stars
Read by an 8 yr old, but she's an advanced reader. She really enjoyed it, she liked the good/bad dynamic between the characters. It's set in an interesting way. We would recommend this for anyone from 7 plus.
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About Claire Barker

Claire Barker is a children’s author living in the wilds of Devon. Whilst working in her local primary school, she wrote a story which she hoped reluctant readers would enjoy. Since then her award-winning series, Knitbone Pepper Ghost Dog, has been translated into ten languages. Her new series, Picklewitch and Jack, is out now.
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