Which Witch? (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) Book

Arriman the Awful, Wizard of the North, is tired of being the most evil wizard in the world so he decides he must get married and have a son to take over. His wife must be a witch with awesome powers but the organised contest has awful consequences.

Children's Literature

Arriman Canker, also known as Arriman the Awful, Wizard of the North, Loather of Light, is a famous and powerful dark wizard. He can conjure up pestilence and blight, frighten the stoutest heart with his freakish collection of animals--he can even make lightning go before thunder. But there's one thing Arriman has trouble with, and that's meeting the right kind of woman for a suitable wife. With the aid of his faithful secretary Mr. Leadbetter, and his intelligent one-eyed ogre, Lester, Arriman determines to hold a contest to find out which witch has powers black enough to warrant being Mrs. Canker. The seven witches of Todcaster gather for the contest, and never before has black magic been so much fun. Between the bickering twins, the witch who resembles her pig, the old hag who keeps accidentally changing herself into a coffee table, and the wicked enchantress, Olympia, Arriman is beginning to long for permanent bachelorhood. Belladonna, the most beautiful witch, is upset with herself--try as she might she can only seem to make white magic. Readers will laugh aloud at the antics of these zany characters, right up to the happy ending. Related in a clever, humorous style, reminiscent of Roald Dahl, kids of all ages will enjoy this book. 1999 (orig.