Written by Julia Donaldson

Illustrated by Axel Scheffler

Words to Know

cauldron -

a big, black pot that a witch often uses

ginger -

wailed -

bounded -keen -

a reddish-orange color

cried out loudly

ran out in a bouncy, fast way

awesome and cool

Words to Know

clambered -

climbed quickly

fluttered -glee -

clutched -moors -

flapped wings

happiness, delight

held on to tightlydark, grassy wetlands

Words to Know

bog - wet, swampy, muddly land

yowl -

squelched -

howl made squishy, wet noises

cooperate -

willingly work together

Discussion Questions

The animals in this story cooperated to help the witch. What are the benefits of working together?

When people choose to make kind decisions, what are the consequences most of the time?

The animals in the story all help the witch by finding her things that were lost. Can you remember at time when someone has helped you? What kind things did the witch do for the frog, the dog, and the bird in return?

Have you and your friends ever "combined forces" to accomplish something? Could you have done it alone? Could the cat have scared off the dragon alone?