Season of the Witch: A Spellbinding History of Witches and Other Magical Folk

In a light introduction to witchcraft, Ralphs provides readers with an overview of magical practices from the ancient world to the present day, focusing on regions including South Africa, Japan, and Slavic countries. Sections devoted to dispelling myths provide insight into the origins of misconceptions about and depictions of witches (green-skinned witches’ 1939 provenance in the film The Wizard of Oz), while others address the true meanings of witchcraft and its legitimate practices. Tamarit’s artwork features a quirky cast of characters with upturned noses, and this accessible, graphics-filled presentation invites readers to browse topics of interest from familiars to vodou dolls. While not comprehensive (and bafflingly, an apparently Indigenous person portrayed early on is never referenced in-text) this guide will satisfy younger readers looking for a mix of history and magic. Ages 9–12. (Aug.)