The Witches of Anderson House: A Spell for Disaster
The first in a new series, readers are introduced to Anderson House, a retirement home for witches. Meeting its quirky and diverse cast of residents and their familiars, we learn that the witches have given up magic in retirement, that is, until one day, a boy arrives requesting help …
For young readers, the narrative has just enough risk to entertain without the stakes being too high. For those dipping their toes into the realm of fantasy and witch characters, this is a fun adventure within a realm of magic, without the scary elements. We see characters learn to overcome their fears and struggles with practice and encouragement, without the story ever being overly didactic.
A collection of maps and character profiles greet us upon opening the book, drawing us into this world. It’s easier than ever to find brilliant, illustrated chapter books, but less common to find them in full-colour. Every page here is brimming with vibrant texture and pattern that make you want to reach through the page to the world within. Text is broken up into digestible chunks between illustrated elements, inviting early readers transitioning from picturebooks to dive into the story.
The foundation for this series is excellent one and all young witch enthusiasts are sure to enjoy the journey. The emphasis throughout this story focuses on world-building and setting the tone, which it does fantastically, leaving us wondering, what will the witches get up to next time?
