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Alison Doherty is a writing teacher and part time assistant professor living in Brooklyn, New York. She has an MFA from The New School in writing for children and teenagers. She loves writing about books on the Internet, listening to audiobooks on the subway, and reading anything with a twisty plot or a happily ever after.
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Phoebe Wahl is one of my favorite artists and children’s book creators. And, since I first read this book in 2021, it has become one of my all-time favorite picture books. I’ve given it to so many friends when little ones come into their lives. One of my proudest moments as a book giver and recommender came last year, when a friend gave me a copy after I had my first child. The friend included a note that this was her family’s favorite book. And she had, understandably, forgotten in the haze of parenting young children that I was the one to gift them the book a few years ago.
It also made me realize that I shouldn’t just be giving the book to people with children…I should be giving it to everyone! Because adults can absolutely enjoy and appreciate stories in picture books, too. Especially books as beautiful, thoughtful, and comforting as this one.
Little Witch Hazel: A Year in the Forest by Phoebe Wahl
Little Witch Hazel is a midwife, healer, and all-around helper living in a charming tree trunk cottage in a magical forest. The book is split into four stories, one for each season. It begins with Little Witch Hazel rescuing an abandoned owl egg and taking care of the owlet until he is ready to join other owls. Throughout each story, Little Witch Hazel is a hard but happy worker for her community. In fact, it is tough for her to relax and take a break. Throughout these tales, she weighs baby rabbits and takes care of their mother, solves the mystery of a haunted tree stump, and reluctantly takes the day off work to enjoy a river rafting trip with friends. But the story’s real climax comes in Winter, when Little Witch Hazel finds herself in need of help. She’s been so focused on doing for others, but when she is in danger, she doesn’t know if help will come in time. (Not so surprising spoiler: it does…but I’m not going to tell you how).
The book is 96 pages, so much longer than the average picture book. But the language is spare and fast-moving. Most of the storytelling and world-building is done through the truly stunning illustrations. While the world is excessively cozy, bordering on twee, there are also elements that differentiate it from a stereotypical fairy tale forest. The fantasy creatures and beings depicted are diverse in skin color and body type. The illustrations feature a gnome in a wheelchair, a stay-at-home dad character wearing a floral apron, and a breastfeeding parent and infant. Little Witch Hazel herself defies expectations of what a good witch is “supposed to” look like with her round body, frizzy braid, and hairy legs. And she is not all sweetness and light. No, she is sturdy, stubborn, and sometimes stoic. Most importantly, she is very real.
Each element of the story emphasizes both the wildness of the natural world and the interdependence of a strong community. The fantasy of escape and the core message that this fantasy is only possible when neighbors work to support each other. This winter, I hope you find time to cozy up with Little Witch Hazel, whether you have younger readers to join you or not.