Snitchy Witch

No one likes a snitch—and that’s a hard potion for young Wanda to swallow at Camp Spellbound, where tattling on her fellow witches inevitably gets her attention, but not the kind she craves. In dramatic reports to the Head Witch, Wanda calls out Wendy’s line cutting and Winnie’s fingerprints on the crystal ball, quickly alienating her from the other campers. When they’ve had enough, the witches-in-training secretly gather in the dungeon to cast a comeuppance-flavored spell that prevents Wanda from squealing. Though not everyone will agree with the deeply didactic messaging (“You only tell when someone is hurt, could get hurt, or you need help from a grown-up,” writes Sileo), Haley’s slightly spooky school backdrop (books, spiders) and the rambunctious cast in pointed hats may help the lesson go down easier. A guide for “Grown-Up Witches” addressing this behavior with children is included. Ages 4–8. [em](Sept.) [/em]