Wanda's Words Got Stuck

By Author / Illustrator

Lucy Rowland, Paula Bowles

Genre

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Age range(s)

Publisher

Nosy Crow Ltd

ISBN

9781788006811

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

03-09-2020

Synopsis

Wanda the witch is so shy she can't talk! No matter how hard she tries, the words won't come out. But when another nervous little witch called Flo joins her class, it seems that Wanda's not the only one who worries about speaking. Then disaster strikes at the magic contest . . . will Wanda have the courage to shout out the magic words and save her new friend Flo from a dangerous dragon?

This heart-warming adventure about finding confidence through friendship is filled with potions, spells and magical animals! Children will fall in love with brave Wanda the witch, especially those who have difficulties with speech, anxiety about talking, or lack confidence in front of others.

Lucy is a children's speech and language therapist whose books include Pirate Pete and His Smelly Feet, illustrated by Mark Chambers and Sammy Claws the Christmas Cat, also illustrated by Paula Bowles.

Every Nosy Crow paperback picture book comes with a free "Stories Aloud" audio recording. Just scan the QR code and listen along!

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Reviews

Wanda's Words got Stuck is a picture book written by Lucy Rowland and Paula Bowles. It features you witch called Wanda who has difficulties with speaking in front of people. The young witch is too shy and no matter how hard she tries to say her spells in witch school, nothing comes out. That is until she meets another girl called Flo who is also nervous and tends to blush when the attention of the class is on her.

Once befriended, Wanda and Flo practice their spells outside of school which makes their confidence grow and grow. This penultimately leads to a magical ending where Wanda's words will be crucial in casting the right spell to save her best friend...

I really like how there are more and more books coming out in which children with specific needs are often the main character or have characters in the story in which a more diverse demographic can relate to. This story is perfect to be read as a whole class, especially if there is a child who struggles with communication in the cohort.

The illustrations are brilliant and I love how Paula Bowles has captured the introvert behaviours in the characters, which I am sure was not easy to achieve.

I would recommend this story for children aged 4yrs+ and as suggested previously, it would make a perfect whole class reader for EYFS, KS1 and KS2. I have read this a few times to my own children and although they might not relate personally to Wanda's struggles, they thoroughly enjoy the story, the message and the magic on each page.

Picture book / Ages 4+ / Reviewed by James Hewish, teacher