Review of two seasonal children’s books: A Bold Pumpkin Plan and The Not-So-Wicked Witch

32 pages ages 4-8 Capstone Editions publisher August 1, 2024 publication date

ABOUT THE BOOK

A plan to build a unique home takes a timid Hedgehog on an incredible journey of self-discovery. From meeting new friends to conquering countless obstacles, Hedgehog tackles his house plan with a newfound confidence. Best-selling creator Katy Hudson (Too Many Carrots and Mindful Mr. Sloth) combines her stunning, detailed artwork with themes of friendship, problem solving, and self-awareness in this empowering picture book.

MY THOUGHTS

Every year little Hedgehog has a dull plan. It’s as dull as the plain brown leaves he makes his house from. This year timid Hedgehog wants some excitement with a bold pumpkin plan. He makes an elaborate plan to have a beautiful new home this year. While gathering his supplies he meets new friends, overcoming his shyness, solves problems and has self-awareness while gaining self-found confidence. Lovingly illustrated and giving children a lesson that they can do it themselves and gain confidence.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

32 pages 4-7 years Frances Lincoln Children’s Books August 6, 2024 publication date

ABOUT THE BOOK

On the sleepiest of nights, when the air is still and the moon is full, the conditions are just right… for WITCHES TO TAKE FLIGHT!

And among all these terribly wicked, cackling witches, is one… who is actually, surprisingly quite nice!

This little witch doesn’t enjoy being wicked like the others. Not one little bit. She doesn’t like creating mischief, she doesn’t like making a mess and she definitely doesn’t like any naughtiness!

The other witches decide that the littlest witch needs rescuing from all this icky, gooey goodness! It’s time for some lessons in wickedness, and the best way to do that is by making a completely terrible and utterly awful potion…!

Will our little witch leave her kind and gentle ways behind her and join in the wickedness? Or will she persuade her fellow witches that actually, being wicked isn’t all it’s cracked up to be?

This playful take on spooky witches from the award-winning Bethan Stevens takes readers to a magical world of wickedness and kindness. This is the wonderfully funny follow-up to the prize-winning Grumpy Fairies and the fairytale twist A Damsel Not in Distress.

MY THOUGHTS

All witches are mean and not so polite, right? Now hold on just a minute, Halloween night finds a nice little witch who despite the others trying to change her to be like them just wants to be herself. A story about uniqueness and a wonderful lesson in not following the crowd and that it’s okay to be yourself. Super cutely illustrated for the younger crowd.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.