Little Witch Hazel: A Year in the Forest

Little Witch Hazel lives a quiet, comfortable life in the forest. Over the course of four interconnected stories, divided by the seasons, readers are introduced to a character who is thoughtful, generous, hardworking and brave. From caring for a displaced egg (and the owlet that emerges) in the spring to leading a group of frightened friends to investigate a strange sound in the fall, Little Witch Hazel demonstrates that there is adventure everywhere if you slow down and stay open. Each story balances the comfortable with the surprising, and there are a multitude of meanings to discover within these pages.

As with the natural cycle upon which the story arc is centered, Little Witch Hazel: A Year in the Forest comes full circle in the end. The thoughtful connections and wonderful world building that take place in each story make for an enriching and immersive reading experience. Little Witch Hazel is a unique character, brave and resilient but also warm and thoughtful. There is a lot to learn from her acts of friendship, but she also grows and changes over the course of the story, modelling an openness to learn from others and adapt depending on the circumstance.

The illustrations are a story unto themselves. Each page is drenched in colour - rich greens and browns, cool blues and whites, strong reds – all working together to show the passage of time through the seasons in the magical forest Little Witch Hazel calls home. Wahl’s distinct style has a movement and fullness all its own and marked by an intricate attention to detail. The forest comes alive in the art.

Little Witch Hazel: A Year in the Forest will appeal to children who have an interest in the fantastic and those with a love for nature. The mix of fairies, trolls, and witches, accompanied by an emphasis on the natural world and our responsibility to appreciate and protect it, will strike a chord with readers of all ages.