The Not-So-Wicked Witch

Stevens plays with wicked-witch tropes in this empathic tale of a protagonist who doesn’t quite fit her peers’ mold. Thin-lined, desaturated illustrations open with depictions of a googly-eyed cast of witches causing mischief by stealing socks, leaving muddy footprints, napping on a “bed” of flowers, and more: “Ever stepped on a pointy toy with bare feet? A witch put it there.” But the troublemaking cohort decides that the littlest witch, a gentle soul with “kindness in her heart,” needs “rescuing from all this icky, gooey goodness.” They task her with acquiring items for a potion that will allow them to steal marshmallows (their favorite food) from a birthday party. It’s the protagonist’s sweet form of sabotage that offers readers a cheery rather than eerie takeaway: “kindness beats wickedness.” Characters are portrayed with various abilities and skin tones. Ages 4–7. (Aug.)