Up and Away with the Little Witch

K-Gr 2—Little Witch is back, and this time she has her young friend Trixie (the Witch Princess) for company. Inspired by a bedtime story, they head off on a flying carpet with her cat in tow, but become lost. They encounter Caravan Witch, who provides snacks and a show; Boat Witch, who provides a potty, a dunk in the river, and a warm, drying fire; and finally Balloon Witch, who helps them get safely home. The text tends to be a little wordy; it is the meticulous illustrations that steal the show. Baeten's highly detailed work supplies a cornucopia of things to look at while managing not to be overwhelming. Be warned that the Balloon Witch encounter is depicted in an appropriate foldout (up, actually) that could easily be torn if not reinforced. A good companion to The Curious Little Witch (NorthSouth, 2010) for one-on-one sharing.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH