I rediscovered Ruth Chew's books when I found a couple of them while shopping for used books, and all the memories came back. I found I could remember individual characters, scenes, and events from some of the stories I had read when I was much much younger. These books are short chapter books (about 120 pages) illustrated beautifully by the author.
All her stories involve one or more of the following themes or ideas: size or shape changing, flying, a magic object that behaves unpredictably, a misfit witch or wizard, being in a different time or place, and/or talking to and making friends with animals.
There are the kind which are full of magical happenings, and there are the kind which involve no magic except for a trip back in time. The books in this second category are more historical and educational in nature.
One thing I really like about Ruth Chew's books is that there is always a tidy plot. There is a friend to be made or a problem to be solved. However, the plot is never such that everything goes back to normal at the end of the book: there is always something gained at the end of the story. The last page of every book seems to wink and say, "Now, wasn't that worthwhile?"
A note to the excessively protective or politically correct: Yes, Ruth Chew did write about witches and wizards and covens and broomsticks and black cats. Have no fear of these witches. If anything, they will teach young readers the values of friendship, independence, and self-esteem, since that's what the books are really about.
Do-it-yourself Magic - When Rachel and Scott pool their money to buy a build-anything-kit, they find that what they build is real. Strange things happen when you start playing with magic.
Earthstar Magic -Ellen and Ben meet a friendly witch who reveals the magic power of the earthstar to them.
The Enchanted Book - The magic words are supposed to make another copy of the King Arthur book. But something goes wrong. Now Serena and Jay are back in the time of castles, knights, dragons, and magic.
The Hidden Cave -The hidden Tunnel leads Alice and Tom on a series of wild and wacky adventures when they discover a magician just awakened from a thousand year sleep.
Last Chance for Magic -A magical tunnel in their Brooklyn backyard sends Terry and her brother Max back into time, when the peace-loving Leni-Lenape Indians lived on the same land.
The Magic Cave -When lightning splits an old oak tree, a brother and sister discover Merlin who has been sleeping inside the tree for many centuries.
The Magic Coin -Meredith and Christopher find themselves on a strange faraway island. The magic coin took them there, but now it will not take them home again.
Magic in the Park - Mike and Jennifer find that there is magic in the park. A strange green glow and trees upside down.
Magic of the Black Mirror -A day at the museum ends up with a black mirror transporting Amanda and Will back to the time and place of the Totem pole Indians.
Mostly Magic -From the day Pete comes to fix a leak in the house and his miniature ladder opens into a full-size one, a brother and sister experience a series of magical adventures.
No Such Thing As a Witch -When Nora and Tad observe a squirrel reading a little newspaper and their dog behaving strangely, they decide their new neighbor is a witch.
Royal Magic -While looking at an exhibit in the Museum of Natural History, Cindy and Jack are magically transported to an early African civilization, where they must save the king and his Royal Jester from the terrible customs they are forced to obey.
Second Hand Magic -Two children acquire a magic kite and, with some second-hand items from a nearby store, enjoy a series of adventures.
The Secret Summer - When Mom and Dad go on vacation with out them, Joe and Kathleen run away to spend their summer on a small island.
The Secret Tree-House -Margret and Sam find a tree house and it digs a cave by its self. Magic pear seeds help them get in and out of trouble.
Summer Magic -Sarah looked up. Someone was leaning over Timothy. It was an Indian. And he was holding a long knife.
Trapped in Time -Nathan and Audrey find an old watch. It's Magic! It takes them back over 200 years. There, the two children meet a drummer boy with a fancy uniform. Without meaning to, they get him in a lot of trouble. Now the soldiers are looking for him.
The Trouble with Magic -Harrison Peabody, a very pleasant wizard, demonstrates that a great deal of trouble often accompanies a little bit of magic.
Wednesday Witch -Mary Jane's mother tells her not to let any strangers in the house while she's away. But there's a short, fat woman in a long black dress and a pointed hat banging on the door
What the Witch Left -Katy and Louise find a pair of magic boots in the attic, and take off on fantastic adventures.
The Wishing Tree -A bird and cat that talk and a special tree in a nearby park involve a brother and sister in some magical adventures.
A Witch in the House - After inviting an upside down Witch into the house Laura and Jane find a bath mat floating in the air. It feels steady. Now if they could just get it to work.
The Witch at the Window -Marjorie and Nick are sure they see a witch standing on the air conditioner outside the window. Then she disappears into thin air! That's just the beginning of some strange adventures for Marjorie and her brother.
The Witch and the Ring -When Charlotte and her brother receive a magic ring from a vending machine, they never expected a real witch to come after her ring.
Witch's Broom -A new broom and an unusual blue jay involve Amy and her friend in magical adventures.
The Witch's Buttons -A talking button in the shape of a man leads two young girls into a series of magical adventures.
Witch's Cat - A talking cat from Brooklyn takes two kids on an adventure to a medieval castle.
The Witch's Garden -Susan and Josh discover some surprising things about the garden next door and the little old woman who owns it.
The Would-Be Witch -Two children are convinced that the owner of the nearby antique shop is a witch.
Wrong Way Around Magic -Chip turned the field glasses back to front. Wilma stood close beside him. What would happen this time when they looked through the glasses the wrong way?
Note: The Hidden Cave and The Magic Cave are the same book, as are The Secret Summer and Baked Beans for Breakfast.
I tried to pick out a few of my favorites and, I am sorry Brina, I can't. I love them all.
