cover image The Picky Little Witch

The Picky Little Witch

Elizabeth Brokamp, illus. by Marsha Riti. Pelican, $16.99 (32p) ISBN 978-1-58980-882-9

A pink-haired witch refuses to eat her mother’s Halloween Soup—among its many ingredients are “gremlin knees, vampire ears, and wizard’s sneeze.” Claiming she’s allergic doesn’t work, and neither does pointing out that the soup makes her turn green (“You’re always green,” the girl’s mother tells her. “Try the soup”). But when they go trick-or-treating, Mama becomes the picky one. With her cleaning spells, A-line purple dress, and pink pearls, Mama Witch has a retro Bewitched quality; her rapport with her daughter results in a tender and light Halloween story about trying new things. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)