Little Witch - Secrets & Spells by Aleesah Darlison (text), Christine Schiedel (illus.), Big Sky Publishing, PB RRP $14.99

ISBN: 9781925520101

Reviewed by Romi Sharp

This new mid to upper primary chapter book series delightfully enchants its readers with a light-hearted storyline of a young girl discovering her true identity as a witch. In this first instalment by award-winning author, Aleesah Darlison, twelve-year-old Courtney and her renovating-obsessed parents uncover old truths and hidden secrets in the house of her late grandmother, Delia.

Many pre-teens will relish the notion of fortuitously stumbling across a magical world of witchcraft they never thought possible. For Courtney, her journey is somewhat complicated as she grapples with feelings of isolation, self consciousness and new discoveries without the support of her parents, particularly her secretive father who masks his pain from the past. But upon unearthing a dusty spell book in her grandmother's attic, we see Courtney challenging her own fears and insecurities. Despite having never met her, Courtney finds a powerfully spiritual connection with Delia, through (somewhat haphazard) experimentation with the book, and via her wise and loyal talking cat, Ink. We watch as Courtney transitions from an inquisitive girl to a more mature, emerging witchling. Darlison neatly evolves the protagonist's strength and growth as she develops relationships with a surfer boy, Justice, and with her Dad by empowering him to understand and to forgive.

Independent readers aged 8 - 12 years will instantly feel a part of the sensational discoveries of potions, secrets and blossoming friendships. The aspect of complex family relationships is presented through realistic and age-appropriate scenarios, never too heavy, providing opportunities to discuss the importance of family unity.

Secrets and Spells contains a wonderful concoction of magical delight; a pinch of mystery, a splash of humour and a dash of young romance, entrancing its audience from start to finish. I'm looking forward to discovering how Courtney's self image and identity further develop, and how she unleashes her evolving power in the next instalment of Little Witch.

This review first appeared in Reading Time www.readingtime.com.au  Republished with permission 

Heart of a Home

Heart of a Home by Isabella Crean, illustrated by Christine Schiedel (Redgum Book Club) PB RRP $12.50

ISBN 9780995378308

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

What is the heart of a home? For ten year old Isabella Crean it’s the dining table. Crean, who suffers from epilepsy and has associated learning challenges, was the winner of an Australian-wide writing competition, and had her entry published – in this full-colour book. As one of the competition judges, I remember reading her story and scoring it highly. It’s quite an accomplishment for a child of her tender years.

Told in third person from the point of view of Table, the story begins with Table in the centre of a little white cottage where ‘every day the family began and ended its day.’ Table is the place of activities from sewing to homework to Christmas and other meals. ‘…The air would fill with the smells of roast pork and apple sauce and melting puddings. The bustle and hum of the family meal made table the centre of their world.’

All things of course have an ending: Table thus finds itself in an old garden shed where paraphernalia is dumped on it until years later it is taken in a truck to a new destination. Happily, this is in a shop from which it is eventually removed to a home, that of a refugee family. Full circle – and still Table is the ‘heart of a home.’

It’s a simple story, well told with language which is imbued with emotion, and which is clearly written. It’s a credit to Redgum Book Club that they published this winning entry and had it illustrated with line and coloured watercolour wash. Hopefully it will inspire children aged 8 to 12 years to read it, and perhaps to also write about what they think is central to their homes.