Early Reader Review: The Knitting Witch by Norma Kassirer

Source: From Librarything Early Reviewers program in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

The Knitting Witch by Norma Kassirer, illustrated by Mark Richardson 
Publisher: The Collective Book Studio
Publication Date:  October 1, 2024

 

Format: Paperback ARC


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Eloise meets Coraline in this spellbinding tale by the beloved author of Magic Elizabeth.Ivy Lou seems to have it all—except friends. So when a witch appears and knits up some magical playmates, Ivy Lou’s parents hire her. Things quickly turn for the worse for Ivy Lou as her new friends, parents and fancy house disappear and she suddenly finds herself captive in the witch’s hastily knit Horrid Little Hut. The witch has her own motives—to groom Ivy Lou to be a witch’s child. Ivy Lou, who turns out to be terrible at making potions, casting spells, and riding on a broomstick, has met her match. Even her threat of Tantrum #3, to turn herself inside out, doesn’t faze this witch. Finally, as the witch is out on her nightly broomstick rounds, a terrified Ivy Lou, enchanted knitting needles in hand, has only until midnight to unknit the Horrid Hut and restore the life she knew. Could a magic star that came from her mother’s kiss in her former life help? Will Ivy Lou manage to get back home, or is she doomed to become a witch’s child forever?

Review: 

This story has a very 'classic' vibe. A very Brothers Grimm feeling tale. 

A young, misbehaving spoiled girl Ivy Lou always gets her way or she will throw a tantrum. They shake and scare her parents and the neighbors. Her parents feed into her and one day a witch shows up to help... instead she takes over the house and parents and bosses Ivy Lou around in an attempt to make a witch out of her. 

The book is all about behavior and how the witch does in fact help, but not in the way expected. 

The illustrations fit that old fairy-tale/ folk-tale feeling very well. They are great, detailed illustrations but pretty monotone to fit the vibe. They also help the story along and I think younger readers will like having them. They can be a little spooky though, and the witch is pretty scary as well. She really is evil. It is a quick read at 88 pages but that includes the full page illustrations. 

A few negatives, not sure that Ivy Lou really understands why she should behave, she just knows she doesn't want to be with the witch anymore. She is sad and lonely with the witch and that is why she wants to leave. 

I also didn't really love the explicit note about black hair being evil. It might paint the wrong picture for young readers... that all dark haired people are evil and all blone/ blue-eyed people are 'good'.

Overall, it was a fun book and It is coming out just in time for spooky season.