Raul Castillo Uses Friendly Witch to Share the Joy of Reading and Writing in New Spanish Book “La Bruja Que No Fue a la Escuela”

“I made a story where anyone–even witches– needs school. When I was growing up, I saw how education helped people make a good living with any career. My parents didn’t finish school. My mother finished first grade and my father finished fourth grade. It was a very difficult way of living for them. My mom raised my brother and I by herself. Since I was a kid, I understood the only way to succeed was to have an education.”

– R.C. Ontiveros

La Bruja Que No Fue a la Escuela

Written in Spanish for children ages 8 and up, readers meet a grandfather recalling a tale to his grandson of how the elder in his youth met a friendly witch who was in search of a school. The witch, who had forgotten how to do her spells and tricks, thought the boy’s home was a school. Seeing her desire to develop reading and writing skills, the boy takes her to his local library where they discover new adventures through the many books on the shelves. Eventually, they realize that his house was once a school many years ago. In the end, the boy promises to teach the witch how to read and write if she comes to his house every day using library books for their studies.

Raul Castillo Ontiveros

Learning how to read and write are important and critical tools for anyone to succeed in life. As an educator in Mexico and The United States for over 30 years, Raul Castillo knows this all too well.

Castillo, a Spanish teacher at Elgin High School and a former elementary school teacher, shares his message about the importance of reading and writing with his new book, “La Bruja Que No Fue A La Escuela” (The Witch Who Never Went to School). The 26-page book is published by Fig Factor Media, LLC and contains color illustrations drawn by Patricia Sanchez, Castillo’s wife.

Castillo believes in the power of education and his love of writing began as a child when he wrote his dreams and thoughts in journals. With this book, he impresses on young Spanish speaking readers that reading and writing is useful, fun and essential. At the same time, he gently encourages the Hispanic parents of those readers to support their education.