By Kaylie Seed
Author and Illustrator of Little Witch Hazel: A Year in the Forest, Phoebe Whal, has created an adorable children’s book about a witch who lives in the forest. Hazel is loved by all the animals who live in the forest and appreciate the helping hand she is always willing to lend. While at first this may seem like a simple story, Whal has incorporated themes such as comfort and intimacy through nature that is bound to teach young readers about the importance of nature through the four seasons while invoking a love for the outdoors.
Split up into four sections, Whal takes the reader through a year in Hazel’s shoes as she makes her way through each season, completing different tasks. From spring to summer to autumn and winter, Whal has illustrated beautiful scenes that will help young readers appreciate nature and the four seasons we experience each year. Each section has Hazel focused on completing a task, and while all the sections are their own smaller story not necessarily impacted by the other sections, the central theme of helping and tending to nature is present throughout. Whal has sectioned this 96-page story into four parts, but it can still be read and enjoyed all at once. Parents will appreciate that there are shorter sentences that Whal has written instead of long paragraphs, and young readers will find joy in the beautiful illustrations as the tale goes on.
It's clear that Whal has a love of nature and wants to share that love with young readers. Parents who are hoping to instil a love of the outdoors will appreciate what this book has to offer. Young readers will enjoy pointing out different animals and seasons as they make their way through this book. Little Witch Hazel can be enjoyed at any point in the year, and while intended for readers aged 4-8, readers of all ages will find something to love in this children’s book that is clearly an ode to nature.
Thank you, Tundra Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House Canada, for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.