Little Witch Hazel

A Year in the Forest

by Phoebe Wahl

Review posted June 3, 2024.
Tundra Books, 2021. 92 pages.
Review written December 4, 2021, from a library book.
Starred Review

Little Witch Hazel is a lavishly illustrated picture book for young elementary school readers, telling four stories about a tiny witch who lives in the forest along with fairies and gnomes and animal friends.

There's a story for each season. In Spring, Hazel finds an orphaned egg and cares for what hatches. In Summer, Hazel has a lot of things she needs to do and all her friends are enjoying the wonderful weather, being lazy. In Autumn, Hazel helps the small animals of the forest investigate the frightening sound coming from a hollow stump. And in Winter, Hazel is tending to animal friends and doesn't notice that a blizzard is coming. There ends up being a nice connection at the end that ties back to the beginning.

That simple description doesn't communicate how charming this book is. Hazel is not a sweet or delicate little fairy. She's a little chubby and matter-of-fact, wearing practical clothes instead of gauzy dresses. She gets grumpy when all her friends are taking the day off. But she's also friendly and helpful and kind.

Here's the start of the Summer story, "The Lazy Day":

It was the most beautiful day of the summer, and Little Witch Hazel was busy. She had a million things to do, and it didn't help that everyone else in the forest seemed to be out enjoying the day.

"Some of us have errands to run!" she muttered as she went to return her library books.

And here's the beginning of "The Haunted Stump":

Little Witch Hazel was working in her garden when she first heard the noise.

It was the kind of noise that sent prickles through your whiskers and chilled you right down to your boots.

Towering toadstools! thought Little Witch Hazel, a shiver running down her spine. Whatever could that be?

Little Witch Hazel is someone I would love to have for a friend.