Chris Angelilli

Wacky Witch—a somewhat befuddled magic maker who first appeared in a twenty-volume comic book series that ran from 1971 through 1975—presents seventeen recipes in this slim paperback cookbook for children. The recipes are divided into six sections—Dreadful Drinks, Freaky Finger Foods, Shocking Salads, Eerie Eggs, Mischievous Main Dishes, and Dastardly Desserts—and present food ideas that would work for a Halloween party or get together. Included at the rear are some "Wacky Party Tips," which largely consist of decorating ideas.

One of two Wacky Witch paperback picture-books published in 1996 by Little Golden Books (the other being Wacky Witch: Ghastly Guests), Wacky Witch's Cookbook actually has very little to do with the eponymous character, and (unsurprisingly) is not a story book at all. I tracked it down largely because I am reading all of the books devoted to this character's adventures, beginning with the four picture-books—this, the aforementioned Wacky Witch: Ghastly Guests, as well as Wacky Witch: The Royal Birthday (1971) and Wacky Witch and the Mystery of the King's Gold (1973)—before moving on to the comic book series, as part of my larger "witchy witches" project. Although there really isn't much witchy content here, I did find the book moderately entertaining, in a nostalgic way. The overall presentation, and the recipes and party ideas included, made me think of similar books I stumbled across in my own childhood, and while I don't think I would use most of the ideas here, I did appreciate that the recipes and decorating ideas all used common, easy-to-find household foods and products.** The one recipe I did find quite clever, and that I think might still be useful today, whether for a children's or adult party, was the one for "Give-'Em-A-Hand-Punch." The idea of using a surgical glove to create a jello "hand," which can then be floated in a punch bowl, struck me as very creative.

I'm not sure I would strongly recommend this one, not even to those who are great fans of the character, but I suppose parents and caregivers looking for Halloween party ideas might find something of interest in it, and might want to give it a look.

**Vegetarians should note that some of these recipes contain meat.… (more)