Becky Davies shines a spotlight on The Broom of Doom
About Author
Becky Davies joins ReadingZone to unveil her latest picture book, The Broom of Doom, which sees Witch's broom under the spotlight!
Becky is a children's book editor, and sometimes author, from the South West of England. Her favourite things are animals, books about magic, and anything sparkly. In a parallel universe she lives in Hawaii, where she works in a dog sanctuary and surfs until the sun sets beyond the horizon.
Interview
October 2026
Becky Davies shines a spotlight on The Broom of Doom
In this hilarious tale of jealousy and ineptitude, Broom decides that this Halloween, it's time that she enjoyed the spotlight, not Witch! As things quickly escalate, Halloween itself comes under attack by cute toys and a very pink and fluffy broomstick! ReadingZone caught up with author Becky Davies to talk about The Broom of Doom, and the first in the series, The Mushroom of Doom, both illustrated by Thomas Elliott (Little Tiger)
More about The Broom of Doom Review: "This was such a fun read! The Broom of Doom! is packed with sarcasm, irony and wonderfully silly humour, and I found myself laughing far more than I expected to at a picture book." - Linda, ReadingZone
Q&A with Becky Davies, The Broom of Doom
"I've always been fascinated by baddies. They were my favourite film and TV characters, and as a child.
I was usually picked to play the villain in school plays".
1. Hello Becky, thank you for joining us on ReadingZone to talk about your picture books, The Mushroom of Doom and The Broom of Doom. How did you get started in writing picture books, and what kinds of books do you enjoy creating?
I'm lucky enough to work as a children's book editor, so I get to write books as part of my job (which was the whole master plan, mwahahaha). I write all kinds of things, but the books I enjoy the most are funny ones - and even better if they are a little bit cheeky or naughty.
2. The Broom of Doom is the second in a series that started with The Mushroom of Doom. What first inspired the Mushroom of Doom's cravings for power, and what happens in the story?
I've always been fascinated by baddies. They were my favourite film and TV characters, and as a child I was usually picked to play the villain in school plays.
The Mushroom of Doom was an idea that came to me when considering how characters turn into baddies. What happens to turn them evil? For Mushroom, he feels like he's been messed around, overlooked. He hasn't had control over his own destiny until he spots an opportunity for power. He perhaps takes things a little far, but that's Mushroom for you!
3. What took you to the hidden world of the witch's broomstick for the next adventure, The Broom of Doom?
I really wanted a female character for my second book, and continuing the theme of baddie origin stories I thought it would be cool to rewrite the narrative around something we think we know.
Halloween is the perfect season for a spooky, gently dark tale, and this took me to the witch. But WHAT IF Broom herself were a living, breathing character. How might she feel about Witch being the star of Halloween every year?
4. What happens to Broom during her bid for stardom?
She bites off a little more than she can chew! I won't ruin the story, but in her quest for adoration she drinks a lot of potions she shouldn't, turns into some really weird things and nearly ruins Halloween forever.
5. Why do you feel Thomas Elliott's illustrations work so well for Mushroom and Broom?
Tom's art is the crucial other half of how the stories are told, and I can't imagine them with any other artist. I think the magic is in the characters and how he captures their expressions and poses, so simply and yet conveying the perfect amount of goofy melodrama.
6. We love the Broom of Doom's transformations - but particularly the fluffy pink one. Do you have a favourite moment in the story?
I love the part in the story where Broom accidentally makes scary Halloween things cute. As well as baddies, I'm obsessed with things being adorable. An adorable baddie was the natural conclusion to this!
7. While the picture books are very funny, are there are also messages about jealousy and consequences in there?
Making readers laugh is my main goal, and I like the way the books beg to be performed for extra entertainment. Although the stories don't end with the moral you think they're going to and there are nuances to each, the collective message is that being bad never pays (even though it might look like fun sometimes).
8. How well do the picture books work together? Can you suggest any activities to follow up a reading?
The books can be read entirely separately and in either order, which I preferred over a set series. Because the endings are open it leaves the perfect opportunity for readers to decide what they think happens next!
9. Do you have more 'Doom' stories planned? What are you working on at the moment?
I'd love to write The Spoon of Doom, with a focus on greed. For now, that is just an evil plot! In the meantime, I'm working on some books for younger children about farm animals. Though there aren't any baddies the books are still funny and unexpected, which is my passion!
10. The Broom of Doom is perfect timing for Halloween! Do you have any special plans to celebrate it, and perhaps to shine a spotlight on any special Broomsticks in your life?
I shall of course be dressing up as a broom to suitably honour my main character! I haven't been invited to any parties yet, so you can picture me dressed up as Broom on my sofa with a cup of tea.
Creative Challenge from Becky Davies:
Come up with a new 'Doom' baddie by drawing, writing or describing them. As well as what they look like, think about all the qualities they have. Are they sneaky or sassy, clever or careful? Maybe they even have magical powers! If you want to, it might be fun to come up with their origin story about how and why they are the way they are. Did they drink a potion, get hit by a special lightening bolt or just decide to be evil one day? What were they like before?
The Broom of Doom
