Synopsis

Witches have a bad rap, and Evie’s ready to learn the truth, but remember some spells are better left unsaid!

We’ve all read about witches, those pointy hat wearin’, broom ridin’, spell castin’, superlative olfactory organ sportin’, child nappin’ creepies. But Evie wants to be scared, and Evie has found out the truth about witches, and she didn’t find it in a book.

Details

• Title: Evie and the Truth about Witches
• Author/Illustrator: John Martz
• Cover Artist: John Martz
• Publisher: Koyama Press
• ISBN: 192766859X
• Publication Date: October 9, 2018
• For Ages: 5-10
• Category: Picture Book
• Spooky-Scary or Spooky-Fun? 🎃 Fun.

Review

Evie wants to be scared. Like so many of us who enjoy things on the spooky side of the street, she yearns to find a book that will really, truly frighten her. She goes to her local horror/occult bookshop (if only I had one of those nearby!) and finds the perfect title: The Truth about Witches. Her new book tells tales about witches eating children, brewing up poisonous potions, and generally being awful stereotypes. Evie is not impressed and, even worse, not scared. The book’s final page, however, has a Summoning Spell that she intones before bed, and a witch appears to show Evie the real truth about witches.

What happens next is a delightful look at true witchcraft—emphasizing community, working with nature, and performing useful magic—with a dark twist at the end befitting the story’s fairy tale atmosphere. The illustration style is perfect for the story, with creepy-cute drawings and a bold palette of black, white, and bright orange. This truly is an all-ages book, as its themes work on multiple levels—young readers will enjoy the spooky, unpredictable narrative, while older readers will appreciate the bittersweet message on the last page. This charming picture book is terrific for readers looking for a surprising fairy tale, a spooky story, or the real truth about witches.

Rating

I am very, very glad I picked this book up. I give it 4.5 out of 5 coffins.