Room on the Broom – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Room on the Broom

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2003

92%

WISE Score

4.9

Amazon

A friendly witch keeps making room on her broomstick for helpful animals—until physics and a hungry dragon intervene.

Room on the Broom

book

2003

92%

WISE Score

4.9

Amazon

A friendly witch keeps making room on her broomstick for helpful animals—until physics and a hungry dragon intervene.

4.9

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Screenwise Verdict

This is why Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler are the gold standard for picture books. Room on the Broom delivers everything you want: a story that's actually fun to read aloud (that rhyme scheme!), beautiful illustrations that reward multiple readings, and a genuine message about friendship without being heavy-handed.

The witch is generous, the animals are grateful, teamwork saves the day. It's a Halloween book that won't give anyone nightmares. The dragon shows up, acts threatening, and gets outsmarted—no trauma, just laughs.

At 4.9/5 on Amazon and over 4 million copies sold, this isn't a hidden gem—it's a proven classic. If you don't have it yet and you have a preschooler, just get it. It'll be in heavy rotation for years.

Age Fit

Ideal for ages 2-7, particularly preschool through early elementary. The rhyming text and repetitive structure work well for toddlers being read to, while the problem-solving elements engage older preschoolers. By second grade, most kids will have aged out unless reading to younger siblings.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A warm story about friendship, generosity, and cooperation. The witch repeatedly makes room for animals who helped her, modeling kindness and inclusivity. When disaster strikes, her new friends work together to save her. The tone is gentle and humorous throughout, with rhyming text that creates a pleasant reading experience. No meanness, exclusion is portrayed negatively (the dragon gets what's coming), and the pacing is perfect for young listeners.

Imaginative

Classic Donaldson-Scheffler magic: a witch flying through the sky, losing items, meeting helpful animals, and facing a dragon. The rhyming verse and Scheffler's detailed illustrations invite kids to notice new things on each read. The premise is simple but executed with creativity—animals piling onto a broomstick until it snaps is both funny and visually engaging. Not groundbreaking, but solidly imaginative within the picture book format.

Safe

Completely safe for young children. The 'scary' dragon is handled with humor rather than genuine threat, and the witch and animals outsmart it without violence. No inappropriate content, no unexpected scares that would upset a preschooler. The witch is portrayed as friendly and kind, not frightening. Perfect for Halloween without being actually spooky. As a book, there are no privacy, monetization, or platform concerns.

Enriching

Strong on social-emotional learning: sharing, helping others, teamwork, and the rewards of kindness. The rhyming text builds phonological awareness and the repetitive structure helps early readers predict what comes next. Vocabulary is accessible but not dumbed down. The problem-solving element (how do they save the witch?) engages young minds. It's not deeply educational beyond these basics, but it delivers meaningful messages about friendship and cooperation in an entertaining package.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Julia Donaldson's signature rhyming verse makes this a joy to read aloud (you'll actually want to read it again)
Models generosity and teamwork without being preachy—the witch shares her broom, friends return the favor when she needs help
Perfect Halloween book that's festive without being scary; even cautious kids will be fine
Axel Scheffler's illustrations are detailed and funny, with new things to spot on every read
Over 4 million copies sold because it actually works—kids request it repeatedly and parents don't mind

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What to Watch For

The dragon is mildly threatening but handled with humor; very sensitive kids might need reassurance that everyone's okay
The broomstick snapping could be a tiny bit startling on first read, but it's played for laughs
If your kid is scared of witches, this might help—she's portrayed as kind and bumbling, not scary

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the witch kept letting animals on her broom even though it was getting crowded?"
"What would you do if you found something someone dropped? Would you try to give it back?"
"How did the animals work together to save the witch from the dragon?"
"If you could fly on a broomstick, where would you go and who would you bring?"

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