Promotional Information

The first in a series of Discworld novels starring the young witch Tiffany Aching.

About the Author

Terry Pratchett (Author) Terry Pratchett was the acclaimed creator of the global bestselling Discworld series, the first of which, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983. In all, he was the author of over fifty bestselling books. His novels have been widely adapted for stage and screen, and he was the winner of multiple prizes, including the Carnegie Medal, as well as being awarded a knighthood for services to literature. He died in March 2015. terrypratchett.co.uk Paul Kidby (Illustrator) Paul Kidby is thirty-four and lives behind an easel in Dorset. He is best-known for his illustrations of Discworld and its inhabitants in The Pratchett Portfolio, The Discworld Diaries, The Tourist Guide to Lancre and his prints and greeting cards.

Reviews

This tale set in Discworld stars a plucky young witch-in-training who, according to PW's starred review, "will win over not only readers but the title characters, (somewhat) lovable imps who exude a certain charm despite their innate and unrepentant kleptomania." Ages 12-up. (June) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Plenty to laugh at here, not least Pratchett's ability to put a 90 degree spin on the familiar * The Times *
A clear example of a comic fantasy classic and, well . . . Crivens! It deserves t'sell a millyun copies * Sunday Express *
A funny and thought-provoking fantasy, with powerfully visual scenes and characters that remain with readers. A glorious read * School Library Journal *
Quite, quite brilliant * Starburst *
Plenty to laugh at here, not least Pratchett's ability to put a 90 degree spin on the familiar * The Times *

Gr 5-7-Tiffany, an extremely competent nine-year-old, takes care of her irritating brother, makes good cheese on her father's farm, and knows how to keep secrets. When monsters from Fairyland invade her world and her brother disappears, Tiffany, armed only with her courage, clear-sightedness, a manual of sheep diseases, and an iron frying pan, goes off to find him. Her search leads her to a showdown with the Fairy Queen. It is clear from the beginning that Tiffany is a witch, and a mighty powerful one. The book is full of witty dialogue and a wacky cast of characters, including a toad (formerly a lawyer). Much of the humor is supplied by the alcohol-swilling, sheep-stealing pictsies, the Wee Free Men of the title, who are six-inches high and speak in a broad Scottish brogue. (The fact that readers will not understand some of the dialect won't matter, as Tiffany doesn't understand either, and it is all part of the joke.) These terrors of the fairy world are Tiffany's allies, and she becomes their temporary leader as they help her search for the Fairy Queen. Once the story moves into Fairyland it becomes more complex, with different levels of dream states (or, rather, nightmares) and reality interweaving. Tiffany's witchcraft eschews the flamboyant tricks of wizards; it is quiet, inconspicuous magic, grounded in the earth and tempered with compassion, wisdom, and justice for common folk. Not as outrageous and perhaps not as inventive as The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents (HarperCollins, 2001), The Wee Free Men has a deeper, more human interest and is likely to have wider appeal. All in all, this is a funny and thought-provoking fantasy, with powerfully visual scenes and characters that remain with readers. A glorious read.-Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Tiffany Aching is a witchy nine-year-old whose brother has been kidnapped by the Elf Queen. To bring him home, she accepts the aid of a band of fiercely funny fairies-the Wee Free Men-whose propensity for drinkin', fightin', and stealin' earned them a one-way ticket out of Fairyland. Listen Up: Briggs is Pratchett's chosen reader for good reason: he gets the joke. The mock brogue of the Wee Free Men makes for frustrating reading on the page, but Briggs's joyful rendition brings each wee criminal to life. Luckily, there are two more books in the series, A Hat Full of Sky (2004) and Wintersmith (2006), in which to enjoy his delivery.-Angelina Benedetti, King Cty. Lib. Syst., WA Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.