Early Readers Book Review: Little Witch

 Little Witch (Walker Stories S.) by Juliette MacIver, illustrated by Cat Chapman (Walker Books)

PB RRP $11.95

ISBN 9781821720468

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Here are three stories in a compact book that will keep early readers entertained from the first to the last word. In The Wonderful Sorceress Little Witch’s parents decide to go out for the evening leaving the hard-of-hearing Sorceress Monda to babysit.  Little Witch anticipates an evening of boredom. But the words that are lost in translation between being spoken and heard cause a hilarious and anything but boring outcome for both Little Witch and her baby sitter.

The Magic Word has more than one definition for Little Witch. Her mother is trying to teach her to say the magic word ‘please’ which Little Witch keeps confusing with the magic word ALAKAZAM! Through trial and error, confusion, correction, and finally clarification, Little Witch finally learns which magic word is which.

Wixed up Merds is so funny that the reader won’t stop laughing until they close the book. Mixed up or misheard words are the pivotal part of all these stories and this one is the best! Little Witch gets into her father’s spell room and casts a word-mixing spell on herself.  Fourteen pages of non-stop laughter ensue accompanied by an equal amount of complementary illustrations. Mention must be made to the well- considered illustrations throughout this book which support and add zest to the hilarious text. Keep this book handy for days when it’s hard work bringing a smile to the lips.