We [reviewer and five year-old god-daughter] bonded over mutual favourite parts. Mildred breaking her broomstick two days into her first term and having to fly it thereafter with a giant bundle of sticky tape in the middle. Mildred accidentally turning Ethel into a small pink and grey pig. Mildred being given a tabby who hates flying on the broomstick even before it gets broken and simply clings on for dear life underneath the twiggy end. (The endearing illustrations of this by the author have, incidentally, left me with a lifelong yearning for a tabby kitten of my own, which, I pointed out to Goddaughter with some vigour, has still yet to be fulfilled even though I am now 802 years old. She nodded sagely. She wants a wooden fruit necklace like Elena's. We felt each other's pain.) And we both love Mildred's triumphant enchanting of Miss Cackle's evil sister and her coven, who are all turned into snails after she uncovers their plot to take over the school.