4 Stories in 1, Yippee!

Little Witch Hazel
Written & Illustrated by Phoebe Wahl
Age Level: 4-8 Years
Published September 21, 2021

Is this real life or did I do shrooms?

Broken up into four stories, one dedicated to each season, you’ll spend a year bustling through the forest with industrious, brave, and kindhearted Little Witch Hazel. In Spring, Hazel finds an egg and fosters a baby owl; in Summer she reluctantly abandons her work to enjoy a beautiful day; in Autumn she bravely seeks out the source of a spooky howl that haunts her village; and in Winter she is rescued from a blizzard by the very owl we met in Spring. Each vignette is a perfect standalone piece, and read together the collection is brilliantly cohesive and complete.

“He left as mysteriously and suddenly as he had arrived, as wild things often do.”

I love this book because it feels very old and very new at the same time. The impeccable quality - of the writing, the illustrations, and even the paper it’s printed on - makes this book feel like an heirloom from a prior generation. The story too is charmingly nostalgic, evoking a time when people were more connected to nature and living a simpler life. But the book also winks at you with the subtle ways that it’s progressive. Characters are shown as differently abled, in same-sex partnerships, and breaking gender stereotypes. Even Hazel bucks trend with her ruddy cheeks, stocky build, and hairy legs.

Reading this book felt like cupping my hands and taking a drink from a clear stream. I felt lighter afterwards thanks to its good humor and abundant whimsy.