Badjelly the Witch

Badjelly the Witch is a children's story written and illustrated by British comedian Spike Milligan, originally created for his own children before being published in 1973. The story follows siblings Tim and Rose as they venture into an enchanted forest in search of their missing cow Lucy. Along their journey, they encounter various magical creatures and face the menacing Badjelly, a witch who terrorizes the forest inhabitants. The tale exists in multiple formats, including a musical version with orchestral accompaniment narrated by Milligan himself, which achieved particular success in New Zealand. A television adaptation aired on CBBC in 2000, with Milligan providing narration and character voices. The book combines elements of traditional fairy tales with Milligan's distinctive humor, exploring themes of courage, good versus evil, and the power of friendship in a forest setting where magic and reality intersect.

Parents and children enjoy reading this book together, with many calling it a cherished bedtime story. Readers highlight Milligan's playful language, made-up words, and the balance between scary and silly moments. Readers liked: - Distinctive black and white illustrations - Rhyming elements and wordplay - The story's ability to hold children's attention - British humor and quirkiness Common criticisms: - Some scenes too frightening for very young children - Dated elements and references - Print quality issues in newer editions Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (600+ ratings) Amazon UK: 4.7/5 (300+ ratings) Amazon US: 4.5/5 (50+ ratings) Multiple reviewers mention reading this as children and rediscovering it with their own kids. One reviewer notes: "My 5-year-old asks for this every night - the slightly dark humor and creative language make it fun for adults too."

The Twits by Roald Dahl A tale of two nasty people who meet their match through the combined efforts of clever animals and children, featuring the same mix of dark humor and justice-serving plot as Badjelly.

The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Andrews Edwards Three children journey through a magical realm to find a mythical creature, encountering strange characters and developing their imagination skills along the way.

The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl A girl with a special power transforms her hunting neighbors into ducks, delivering the same blend of magic, transformation, and comeuppance found in Badjelly.

The Enchanted Forest Chronicles: Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede A princess rejects traditional fairy tale roles to live with dragons, presenting a similar subversion of fairy tale tropes and magical forest adventures.

Which Witch? by Eva Ibbotson A dark wizard holds a contest to find the wickedest witch to be his bride, offering the same combination of witch-centered plot and British humor as Badjelly.

🌟 Originally penned as a bedtime story for Spike Milligan's own children, Jane and Laura, in the 1960s before being published in 1973. 🎭 The book features Milligan's own illustrations, drawn in his characteristic whimsical style, showcasing his talent as both an author and artist. 🎙️ In 1974, the story was adapted into a popular radio play for BBC Radio 4, featuring Milligan himself providing multiple character voices. 🌍 While Spike Milligan was British-Irish, Badjelly the Witch gained particular popularity in New Zealand, where it became a cultural phenomenon and a staple in many school libraries. 🎨 The story's success led to a stage adaptation in 2010 by the Capital E National Theatre for Children in Wellington, New Zealand, bringing the magical tale to life for new generations.