Snitchy Witch
"Oh moon so full, round, and bright
We beg one favor of you tonight
For witches who tattle, witches who snitch
Tie their tongues, zip their lips!
No witch shall squeal or tell on friends.
This spell will be broken when the snitching ends!"
Tattling is an all too familiar occurrence among children that can have harmful impacts on friends and relationships. This spellbinding story encourages children to examine the difference between snitching and telling, and the impact of their words on others.
Includes a Note to Parents and Caregivers with more information about snitching versus telling and what adults can do to help.
Frank J. Sileo, PhD, is a New Jersey licensed psychologist and the founder and executive director of The Center for Psychological Enhancement in Ridgewood, New Jersey.
He received his doctorate from Fordham University in New York City and is consistently recognized as one of New Jersey's top kids' doctors.
He is the author of nine other award-winning children's books, including Sally Sore Loser: A Story About Winning and Losing, Don't Put Yourself Down in Circus Town: A Story About Self-Confidence, A World of Pausabilities: An Exercise in Mindfulness, Did You Hear? A Story About Gossip, Bee Still: An Invitation to Meditation, and Bee Calm: The Buzz on Yoga.
Visit Dr. Sileo's website and @DrFrankSileo on Twitter.
MacKenzie Haley is an illustrator who lives in Louisville, Kentucky with her cat, Booger. She studied illustration at the University of Dayton.
Visit her website, and @mackenzie_haley on Instagram.
While children will relate to the characters in the book, they will also be instructed on how to tell the difference between tattling or "snitching" and telling. The large colorful illustrations and engaging text make a great read aloud. Adults could use this book to start a discussion about telling vs tattling. I highly recommend this book for libraries and classrooms for elementary aged children.
—Oregon Coast Youth Book Preview Center
There is a lot of fun word play and a great colorful cast of characters...Snitchy Witch is a story kids will understand whether they are the tattler or the teller. This is a perfect book to tackle social skills with children at home or in the classroom.
—Children’s Books Heal
No one likes a snitch...spooky school backdrop (books, spiders) and the rambunctious cast in pointed hats may help the lesson go down easier.
—Publishers Weekly
Snitchy Witch encourages children to think before they tattle, and to think about the impact their words will have on others. It encourages them to see that there is a difference in snitching and telling. It is a really cute story that your kids will love, with the added bonus of teaching a lesson.
—Westman Reviews
Explains the difference between tattling and telling: Snitching gets people in trouble; telling is for unsafe conditions, when someone's hurt, or when you need help from a grown-up...text for grown-ups follow the tale, explaining snitching versus telling, why kids snitch, and what adults can do about it. Haley's artwork features dark backgrounds with brilliant splashes of vibrant colors and a diverse cast.
—Kirkus Reviews
Don’t Be a Snitchy Witch: Tips to Prevent Snitching (PDF, 120KB)
This excerpt provides useful strategies for parents to help their children learn the difference between snitching and telling, develop problem-solving skills, and develop empathy.
