A young boy is placed in the custody of his eccentric witch-expert grandmother before being transformed into a mouse by an evil coven that is plotting against local kids. - (Baker & Taylor)

A special rerelease of a popular book by the acclaimed author of James and the Giant Peach finds a young boy placed in the custody of his eccentric witch-expert grandmother before being transformed into a mouse by an evil coven that is plotting against local kids. - (Baker & Taylor)

"An orphan boy...discovers the true nature of witches and then has the misfortune to be transformed into a mouse by The Grand High Witch of All the World...A curious but honest tale which deals with matters of crucial importance to children: smallness, the existence of evil in the world, mourning, separation, death." --The New York Times Book Review

When the young hero of Roald Dahl's story is orphaned in an automobile accident, he is left in the care of his aged grandmother—a formidable cigar-smoking lady who happens to be a retired expert on dealing with witches. In spite of her warnings about how to spot these horrific creatures, her grandson accidentally wanders into the annual convocation of the witches of England—and overhears the horrifying plans in store for every child in the country. But before he can escape to reveal the witches' plot, he is captured and turned into a mouse. However, he is no ordinary mouse and this is no ordinary tale.
Along with a new introduction--in which James Patterson guarantees this book will "get kids addicted to reading!"--this thirtieth-anniversary edition includes photographs, reproductions of original manuscript pages, and a fascinating and funny reminiscence by editor Stephen Roxburgh on working with Roald Dahl.

Roald Dahl's wonderful and outrageous tales continue to delight children the world over. Some of his most beloved stories include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, and The Witches.

Quentin Blake is Children's Laureate of Great Britain, has won the Kate Greenaway Medal, and is the author and/or illustrator of many books. He lives in London, England.