WITCH IN THE COUNTRY

In her second outing, Crimson invites her city friends for a country visit.

Spunky, independent-thinking witch Crimson Twill is excited that the friends she made during her New Wart City trip are coming to Cackle County to visit her. Planning a perfect visit for Wesley and Mauve, both of whom, like Crimson, stand out from the crowd, is all she’s been able to think about. But nothing goes according to plan. First, Crimson’s spell mishap in the rotten apple orchard results in a messy rain of rotten applesauce. Then, at the broom fields, where magic flying straw for witch broom bristles grows, an enthusiastic cutting mishap leaves acrophobic Wesley in need of an aerial rescue. Finally, at the croaking corral (where witches catch frog croaks in bottles), an accidental full-force croak to the face leaves quiet Mauve ribbitting uncontrollably at the top of her lungs. The gentle tensions—along with the comedic examples of witch culture (“untidying” rooms is one of their chores)—will charm readers. Just when Crimson accepts that things don’t have to go according to plan for the visit to be a success, the plot tosses a giant curveball at the kids, which gives them another opportunity to turn a mistake into a day-saving, happy accident. Grayscale illustrations play up the humor—especially when it’s messy—and depict Crimson (and family) and Wesley (and his mother) as pale, and Mauve (and her father) with dark skin.

Will leave readers cackling with delight.