Clever Little Witch

April 29, 2019
Va˘n (In a Village by the Sea) sets this magical caper on Mãi Mãi Island, where Little Linh shows readers the items every witch needs (a broomstick, spell book, and winged mouse), then presents her problem: “Do you know what a clever little witch does not need? A baby brother.” Baby Phu, it seems, squalls, chews on spell books, and messes with his sibling’s broomstick. After offering Baby Phu to the island’s otherworldly creatures (they aren’t interested), Linh decides to turn him into a goldfish. He’s eaten the page the spell is printed on, so she improvises, chanting, “From the tip of your nose to the top of your toes, bubble eyes, marble size, let me see those fishy eyes.” The spell doesn’t work, and Yum (Bark in the Park!) draws the resulting mayhem as Baby Phu turns into a succession of animals, none of them goldfish. Yet when all goes awry, it’s Baby Phu who comes to the rescue. Linh has spirit and energy, even when things aren’t going her way, but the story’s real draw lies in its Southeast Asian setting—clever little witches can be found everywhere. Ages 4–6. Author’s agent: Liza Fleissig, Liza Royce Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Sean McCarthy, Sean McCarthy Literary Agency.

June 15, 2019
With the help of a little magic, a young witch tries to make her annoying baby brother more tolerable. Little Linh has all she needs to be "the cleverest little witch on Mãi Mãi Island": a broomstick, a "book of powerful spells," and a "rare and magical pet" (a glowing, winged mouse). What she does not need is a baby brother. Baby brothers sneak disastrous rides on your trusty broomstick, eat your spell book, use your pets against you, and disturb your sleep. No one else seems to need or want Baby Phu either--not the troll under the bridge, not the fairy queen in the forest, and certainly not the werewolves at the Orphanage for Lost and Magical Creatures. Naturally, magic will solve the little witch's brother problem. With her spell book partially eaten, Little Linh gamely casts spell after half-concocted spell with the intent to transform Baby Phu into a nice goldfish. The results, though, are not quite what she had hoped. Her guesswork to repair the spell goes "terribly, terribly wrong"--but it turns out that having a little brother might just prove to be a lucky thing. Yum's illustrations (acrylic gouache and color pencil) alternate perspectives and angles, energetically capturing the escalating sibling situation. Readers will recognize the looks of mischief, innocence, and determination on Little Linh's and Baby Phu's faces. Creatures--familiar and fantastical alike--give clues to the impending magical misfires taking place on this Southeast Asian island. A charming take on sibling conflict. (Picture book. 4-6)

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January 24, 2020

PreS-Gr 1-Little Linh, the self-proclaimed "cleverest little witch on Mãi Mãi Island" has everything a witch needs-a broomstick, a book of spells, and a cute winged mouse familiar. Unfortunately, she also has a pesky toddler brother who wreaks havoc flying on Linh's broomstick, chews up her book of spells, and uses her magic pet to keep her up at night. To rid herself of the nuisance, she offers up Baby Phu to other magical denizens of the island but they want nothing to do with him. Exasperated, the little witch decides to turn him into a goldfish and discovers that half of the spell page has been eaten by Phu. Efforts to improvise the second half turn the little terror into a frog, a seal, and finally a dragon who, in the end, saves his older sister from a fall. Yum's cheerful acrylic gouache and color pencil illustrations depict a pleasant island setting with serene ocean and palm trees contrasts with the characters' cartoonishly expressive faces that radiate mischief, annoyance, alarm, and occasional contentment. VERDICT A magical and humorous, but entirely relatable tale of sibling rivalry (and reconciliation).-Yelena Voysey, formerly at Pickering Educational Library, Boston University

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2019
Preschool-G For little Linh, being a witch isn't easy with a disruptive baby brother around. Baby Phu wreaks havoc by chewing her spell book and even pilfering her broomstick! Linh's had enough, but passing him off to the local troll or fairy queen doesn't work either. Reluctantly, Linh decides Phu can stay?but as a goldfish. Thanks to Phu's annoying escapades, however, part of that specific spell is missing, and despite Linh's confidence in her magical abilities, her efforts to ad-lib change Phu into anything but a goldfish, but his mischievous nature still remains. But when Linh finds herself in trouble, she discovers that little brothers?in whatever form?aren't so bad after all. Van (The Little Tree, 2015) interweaves fanciful, familiar, and fable-like elements as a backdrop to highlight the siblings' relationship. The lively, expressive narrative is reflected by Yum's bright and playful gouache-and-colored-pencil illustrations, which incorporate plenty of whimsy (like their pet flying mouse) in the lush, jungle-like setting. An entertaining witch story perfect for kids who love but struggle with younger siblings.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)