Nothing puts you under the spell of Halloween like a spooky fun story. This month, Kim Tano and Madeline Shier, the children’s book buyers at Powell’s City of Books, celebrate all things witchy and wonderful. Look for these bewitching books at the Burnside, Hawthorne or Cedar Hills Powell’s locations, or order online at powells.com.
Boo Stew by Donna L Washington, illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbler
In this spooky Goldilocks retelling from award-winning storyteller Washington, Curly Locks loves to cook, but can’t find anyone to try her witchy recipes. When a succession of Scares cause trouble in town, Curly Locks wonders if anyone has ever tried feeding them instead of running them off. Children 4 and up will delight in Curly Locks’ adventures, and in chanting the rhyme to send Scares away! $17.99. Holiday House.
A Spoonful of Frogs by Casey Lyall, illustrated by Vera Brosgol
Any book by award-winning Portland author/illustrator Vera Brosgol is a treat. In A Spoonful of Frogs, her charming illustrations pair well with Casey Lyall’s tale of a witchy cooking show about runaway frogs escaping their fate of becoming frog soup! A fun and enchanting tale for any time of year for ages 4 and up. $17.99. Harper Collins.
The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag
The Witch Boy is the first in a three-book graphic novel series by Molly Knox Ostertag and features 13-year-old Aster, a male shapeshifter who is fascinated by witchery. Unfortunately for Aster, only girls are expected to be witches and boys are shapeshifters in the society where he lives. A beautifully illustrated autumn tale, about witchcraft, gender non-conformity and heroism recommended for ages 8 and up. $12.99. Scholastic.
Witchlings by Claribel A. Ortega
In this magical adventure for ages 8 and up, 12-year-old Witchling Seven is supposed to be placed in a coven this year. But on the night of the Black Moon Ceremony, she’s marked instead as a covenless Spare. She and the other Spares must complete an impossible task to become full-fledged witches, but if they fail, they might just be turned into toads! $17.99. Scholastic.
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