Witches Garden

This witch doctor's adventure is just beginning! In Witches Garden, readers will be transported to a world of magic and mystery, following the story of the witch doctor and her granddaughter. The witch doctor is a wise and powerful woman who runs her potion shop with the help of her pet cat and "invisible" lizard. But when her screaming strawberries go missing, and her granddaughter is studying abroad, she must find the culprit alone. Along the way, she meets various colorful characters, including a half-witch, half-plant. Will the witch doctor be able to find her missing strawberries and create enough ghoul flu potion for winter?

Witches Garden is a fun book with elements of a modern fairy tale and unique details that make it memorable. The story is unpredictable and has mystery, suspense, and adventure. Laurel Lorenzini introduces readers to a magical place with familiar creatures, where they trade in wish clams, spells, and charms and have a delivery company. It is all creative, and learning about the residents and their daily troubles was entertaining. Mags is missing her granddaughter Bo, who has traveled for school, and her daughter Miriam, who disappeared. Her being overwhelmed with the work in her store made her a likable and familiar everyday person you might bump into on the street. The book has beautiful art that visually narrates the story and makes the book colorful and eye-catching. Children will be attracted to the colors and love seeing all the amazing characters and enchanted locations. I loved reading this book and recommend adding it to your children's book collection. - Reviewed by Doreen Chombu for Readers' Favorite (5-star review)

The tone is playful with great attention to detail that Laurel Lorenzini uses to bring this eccentric world to life. From the quirky names of plants (booberry) to the different creatures, every detail works toward establishing the Halloween aesthetic of the town. Children will enjoy the different characters and will love getting to know Bill the Vampire, Haggle Tooth, and Clevis the Werewolf. Through these characters, you're able to see the importance that Mags has in the town and how she uses her garden to help people. Some also provide humor in the story such as a werewolf with a toothache, which will no doubt make children laugh. The illustrations are vivid, bright, and cheery images that fit the tone of the world that Lorenzini has created. These pair well with the zaniness of the characters and provide lovely peeks into the town such as Mags' shop, the different beings, and her role. Witches Garden is a charming children's chapter book that serves as a great foray into reading with a story that is lighthearted, quirky, and charming. - Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite (5-star review)

Laurel Lorenzini has created lovable and quirky characters. Witches and vampires, some of the beings that usually scare children, are given more helpful and cooperative roles in their community, reflecting more likable qualities. The illustrations by Gabriel San Martin pop off the pages and give more life to each part of the story. The narration is fast-paced, and a reader who is familiar with short chapter books will love learning about the harmonious atmosphere in Green Mist Bay. Readers will see examples of friendship, respect, releasing worry, and forgiveness throughout the pages, and the author leaves plenty of room for a series to develop. In the story, readers will learn who is stealing the screaming strawberries, but the mystery of Mags's daughter's disappearance is a subject Lorenzini can explore in another book. Children who enjoy tales about supernatural beings with a hint of mystery will like Witches Garden. - Reviewed by Courtnee Turner Hoyle for Readers' Favorite (5-star review)