Hamish and the Wee Witch
#1 of 3 in Hamish 2 Series
on Goodreads (4)
What’s inside...
Hamish and Mirren live in a quiet farmhouse by a beautiful loch in Scotland. In these six tales, they encounter a talking sea urchin, a strange flute, singing sand, the Wee Folk and their idea of 'spring cleaning', and Grizelda Grimithistle, a mischievous wee witch who, not content with stealing warm creamy milk direct from their cow, sets about helping herself to Mirren's freshly-dyed hanks of wool. Moira Miller's characteristic wit and humour shine through in this delightful collection of stories.
Discussion points
How do you think Hamish felt when he first met the Wee Witch? Can you share a time when you met someone new?
What do you think is the most important lesson Hamish learned from his adventure?
Why do you think the Wee Witch behaved the way she did? What could she have done differently?
If you had a magical power like the Wee Witch, what would you choose and why?
How did Hamish and the Wee Witch change by the end of the story? What do you think made them change?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to bring the characters to life. Different voices can make the narrative more engaging for your child.
Pause at key moments to ask your child their thoughts or predictions about the story. This can help develop their analytical and creative thinking skills.
Encourage your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book. This fosters a deeper connection to the story and enhances comprehension.
Relate the themes or situations in the book to your child’s personal experiences. This helps them apply the story's lessons to their own life.
Discuss the characters’ emotions and actions. Ask your child how they might feel or act in similar situations, promoting empathy and moral reasoning.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: In 'Hamish and the Wee Witch,' Hamish learns to understand and empathize with the wee witch, despite her initial frightening appearance and misunderstood behavior.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to understand and appreciate differences in others, fostering a more inclusive and empathetic outlook towards classmates and friends who may appear different or behave in ways they're not accustomed to.
Example Lesson: Courage and Bravery
Explanation: Throughout the story, Hamish shows courage when interacting with the wee witch, overcoming his fears to help and befriend her.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to face their own fears and challenges in life, whether it's trying new activities, standing up for themselves, or dealing with unfamiliar situations.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Hamish uses clever thinking and problem-solving skills to help the wee witch find what she's looking for, which ultimately leads to a positive outcome.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be applied in a child’s everyday life by encouraging them to think critically and solve problems they encounter, such as resolving conflicts with peers or overcoming obstacles in schoolwork or personal projects.
Example Lesson: Friendship
Explanation: The development of friendship between Hamish and the wee witch shows the importance of building relationships based on mutual trust and kindness.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of forming and nurturing friendships, which is crucial for social development and emotional support throughout their lives.
Example Lesson: Acceptance
Explanation: At the heart of the story is the theme of accepting others, no matter how different they appear to be, illustrated by how the village eventually accepts the wee witch.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to be accepting and open-minded towards others in their community, promoting a culture of inclusiveness and acceptance.