Witchy things

The copyright page says this story was the winner of a contest that "aims to spread equality in literature that promotes respect for identity and battles against stereotypes." Though its mission is clear, this isn't a didactic tract; our introduction to the grouchy blue-haired witch protagonist is: "Oh, for the love of STINKING SKUNK FARTS!" She didn't mean to turn her hair blue -- though in Sevilla's illustrations, it's a beautiful balayage -- and she decides to bolster her self-esteem by snatching a child. As it turns out, the boy is an amateur beautician, and his hair artistry turns the witch's frown upside-down. Bold-hued illustrations with eye-catching patterns and details enhance the enchanting tale, whose message is worn with style. Elissa Gershowitz September/October 2020 p.47(c) Copyright 2020. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

In this Italian import by way of Spain, when a witch's potion goes wrong, she sets out to do some other witchy things only to have a child question her actions. Humorous and quirky illustrations accompany this equally whimsical tale of a witch whose potion doesn't work. "For the love of STINKING SKUNK FARTS!" Her hair is still blue. She would rather her hair were "BLOOD RED, OR ASH GREY, or perhaps BOOGER GREEN." In a bad mood and wanting to prove she is "A REAL WITCH, a really BAD ONE" she sets out to snatch a child. Soon she spies a red-haired, white boy named Adam, who is playing with dolls. Assuming he's a naughty brat playing with his sister's dolls, Adam becomes her target. A circular conversation ensues whereby Adam's persistent, repeated "BUT WHY?" turns the witch's stated intentions back on her. As it turns out, Adam loves styling hair, and after styling the witch's hair she declares it to be "the MOST INCREDIBLE SORCERY I've ever seen!" Adam helps the witch to see it is more important to "do THINGS YOU LIKE, just because you like them" than "witchy things to FEEL more like a witch." This clever tale of upended expectations was winner of the Italian children's literature prize Premio Narrare La Paritá (Narrating Equality Award) under its original title, Turchina la strega. An equally delightful Spanish edition, Cosas de bruja, translated by Raúl Zanabria and Luis Amavisca, publishes simultaneously. Stereotypes are oh-so-satisfyingly turned on their heads. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.