My Creepy Valentine

Mitzi, a freckled, red-haired child witch sporting indigo and violet garb, loves every holiday except Valentine’s Day. Then she meets wild-haired Spencer, a schoolmate with age-appropriately appealing traits (“Spencer could spurt milk out of his nose. Spencer could wiggle his ears”). Smitten, Mitzi decides to try to win Spencer over by writing him a valentine. “Lizards like to slither./ Black cats like to doze./ I’d like to see you/ with a spider up your nose,” she scribbles, promptly delivering the paper heart to his doorstep by broomstick. But when Spencer doesn’t reply the next day, Mitzi despairs, despite her family’s proffered support. Hoodwink, Mitzi’s orange kitten, may be the only one who can save the day—at least, until an unexpected missive appears. Young readers will appreciate the boldly colored mixed media artwork and witchy vibes in this seasonal companion to Howard’s Hoodwinked. Ages 4–8. [em](Oct.) [/em]