The Witches’ Cookbook, out today,
Is causing quite a stir,
Among the witchy cooks and chefs,
Who all at once concur,
That spellbound recipes like these
Not seen by human eyes
Will make these books fly off the shelves.
Because this cookbook flies!
Delia Dastardly is quoted,
“Love those witchy spells!”
Nigella Nevermore said how
Enchantingly it smells.
Hugh Furnace Whitingtoad wrote,
“Glad the potions are organic.”
And Jamie All-Over declared,
“The puddings are titanic!”
But he witchy supreme challenge
For a chef of magic arts,
Is the Cauldron Blue of cooking
Tangy Tarantula Tarts
They’re delicious and they’re deadly
As they crawl across the cover.
A combination bound to interest
Any witch food lover.
The Hairy Wizard Bikers
Stroked their beards and said together
“They are Arachnid heaven.
Pastry’s lighter than a feather.”
“But there’s quite a risk to eating them.
You really need the knack.
The reason they’re so good is
They’re a pudding that bites back.”

Poem ©2013 Mo O'Hara
Illustrations ©2013 Paul Morton

Have you tried our Octo Pie?
I'm warning you. It's rather sly.

Its eight, long tentacles lie in wait.
As you dig in, it moves your plate.  

It tickles you, then wraps you tight.
You're lucky if you get a bite. 

It suckers you--makes you a fool. 
You won't believe the ridicule!

With Octo Pie, you must act quick, 
Or you won’t even get a lick.

No, Octo Pie's not easy to eat.
May I suggest a Tarantula Treat? 

Poem ©2013 Rebecca Colby
Illustrations ©2013 Paul Morton

In temperament frogs are delightful.
Their notion of swans though is spiteful.
Those birds stole away,
A famous ballet
Claiming frog legs in tights too frightful!

Poem ©2013 Meagan Munroe
Image ©2013 Paul Morton

Some frogs jump,
some frogs don't.
Some frogs climb,
some frogs won't.

Some frogs swim,
some say shan't.
Some frogs fly,
some say can't.

Some frogs hop,
that's their thing.
Some frogs croak
instead of sing.

Do frogs dance?
Some frogs don't.
Some frogs could,
most frogs won't.

But I love to dance in the light of the moon,
on my green lilypad to a radio tune,
and I don't care what some frogs say - 
I dance all night, and I sing all day!

















Poem: © Lesley Moss
Illustration: © Paul Morton