As a child in the 1980s, I remember reading a chapter book (or a series of chapter books) about a older woman who had magical powers and befriended neighborhood children. I recall that the woman could cast spells and that the spells were used to teach the children lessons. One spell I recall is that if a child said a curse word, a black cloud would follow them around for days. I also recall that the woman had an old book with rose petals dried between the pages.
I recall the book fondly and would like to read it to my children.
Are you thinking of the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books?
This sounds remarkably like Betty MacDonald’s MRS. PIGGLE-WIGGLE books. There are four of them, and I don’t recall which one involved the black cloud, but they’re wonderful books and make great bed-time story reading. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle was the widow of a pirate . . . .
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s Magic
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s Farm
Hello, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle stories by Betty Macdonald?
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s Magic has a potion causing child who tattles to spout a black cloud over the head. The more tattles, the more tails in the cloud.