The Little Witch’s Book of Spells

In a welcoming and meditative spell book for budding witches, Kusby asserts that readers need not “possess the power to make objects fly or to read minds” to engage with witchcraft. Instead, the ways of witches concern expressions of individuality, personal self-reflection, and the practice of kindness, detailed here in chapters devoted to spells for success, happiness, and friendship, among other ideals. Though a small number of the included spells ask for specialty items, such as a quartz crystal, most require simple, readily available objects—a pink ribbon and a tablespoon of honey for a “Conflict-Sweetening Spell,” two pipe cleaners to make a bubble wand for a “Butterfly Bubble-Blowing Spell.” Paired with Baumert’s bright, fluid images of children, animals, and witches’ accoutrements, Kusby’s creative activities and incantations warmly encourage mindfulness, community building, and forming connections with the natural world. A nurturing, hands-on primer. Ages 8–12. (Aug.)