![Picture](/uploads/5/5/9/4/55948695/5527504.jpg?191)
Room on the Broom, 2012, Magic Light Pictures. 45 minutes.
Age/Interest Level: 3-7 years
Lexile Level: N/A
Awards: Nominated, Academy Award Best Short Film, Animated (2014)
Reader Annotation: A witch allows a cat, a dog, a bird, and a frog to ride atop her broomstick. Unfortunately, it becomes too top heavy and is eventually destroyed by a fire-breathing dragon from which the witch also has to escape.
Plot Summary: A witch is riding with her cat one night when comes across several creatures. She invites each of them on top of her broomstick: A dog, a bird, and a frog. Unfortunately, this makes it too top heavy and they crash. Even more unfortunate, the broom is destroyed by a fire breathing dragon. The creatures and witch have to band together in order to make it away from the dragon alive.
Critical Evaluation: The characters in this film function in a beautifully thick setting. Everything appears intricately detailed and as though it were all carved out of clay. This also allows for a wonderful fluidity. The story itself is cute with just hints of danger. There is an obvious foil to the witch and children are ready to cheer her on after she has shown such kindness in taking on so many animals even though it caused her to crash.
Why Included: The animation is stunning, but it’s the story that marks this a winner. The constant repetition of whether there is room on the broom is charming and makes for an interactive watch.
Age/Interest Level: 3-7 years
Lexile Level: N/A
Awards: Nominated, Academy Award Best Short Film, Animated (2014)
Reader Annotation: A witch allows a cat, a dog, a bird, and a frog to ride atop her broomstick. Unfortunately, it becomes too top heavy and is eventually destroyed by a fire-breathing dragon from which the witch also has to escape.
Plot Summary: A witch is riding with her cat one night when comes across several creatures. She invites each of them on top of her broomstick: A dog, a bird, and a frog. Unfortunately, this makes it too top heavy and they crash. Even more unfortunate, the broom is destroyed by a fire breathing dragon. The creatures and witch have to band together in order to make it away from the dragon alive.
Critical Evaluation: The characters in this film function in a beautifully thick setting. Everything appears intricately detailed and as though it were all carved out of clay. This also allows for a wonderful fluidity. The story itself is cute with just hints of danger. There is an obvious foil to the witch and children are ready to cheer her on after she has shown such kindness in taking on so many animals even though it caused her to crash.
Why Included: The animation is stunning, but it’s the story that marks this a winner. The constant repetition of whether there is room on the broom is charming and makes for an interactive watch.