The Witches of Anderson House by Jennie Poh

It's time to shout-out a book birthday! This one, I think, is the beginning to a new, chapter book series for beginning readers. I'm getting adorable, warm story vibes and have the sneaking suspicion that it might take on a more traditional tale direction. But it could be something completely different. Also, it probably makes a wonderful Halloween read. At least, the witch theme would suggest that. If it would work any time of year? Well, let's open it out and find out!

THE WITCHES OF ANDERSON HOUSE

The Forgotten Spell

by Jennie Poh

Illustrated by Dave Lowe

DK Flip

Children's Fantasy

144 pages

ages 5 to 7

Myrtle Stormwhisper is certain of one she has given up magic for good. But when a knock at the door calls for her to pick up her wand again, she doesn't know if she can. It's been so long since Myrtle has cast a spell – what if she’s forgotten how?

Some very strange characters live in Anderson House, retirement home for witches, and one of them is the magnificent Myrtle Stormwhisper. Join Myrtle as she learns how to find her magic again – all with the help of her witchy friends, of course.

So, grab your broom and get ready for an adventure like no other, because things do go bump in the night – and they live at Anderson House! The first book in a beautiful new series, created and illustrated by the enchanting illustrator Jennie Poh, and written by the fantastically talented Dave Lowe.

GOODREADS     /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

The urgency to save an adorable guinea pig raises tension high, while readers hope Myrtle will, at least, try to find a way to come to the rescue...and soon.

The Anderson House is a quaint home for retired witches...that is, witches who have grown old and no longer practice magic. When a boy appears at the door with an emergency, the witch, Myrtle, understands his dilemma and would like to help, but isn't sure she can. After all, she stopped performing magic because her spells no longer worked and caused huge problems instead. Plus, she hadn't flown with a broom for years, and the broom is exactly what she needs to help the boy find his guinea pig before something awful happens to it. It's clear the boy needs help, but if she actually tries to offer assistance, it might cause more harm than good.

This book starts out in the most fun, basic way. It illustrates the garden and the house with the basic locations pointed out. From the first floor to the top, each witch's room is shown in a map-like format. The house is, actually, very normal outside of a small detail here and there. After this, the witches are quickly introduced, each with an illustration and a small description underneath. They are bubbly and pack personality, and it's clear that each one is very different from the other. After all of this, the story begins, and it centers around the witch Myrtle Stormwhisper. I'm assuming this is the beginning to a series, in which each witch will get a chance to shine in their own tale. But I love the layout in the beginning, especially the way it lets the reader gain a sense of the friendly and warm atmosphere surrounding this house and the witches inside.

The story holds a more traditional flair and offers an engaging read from beginning to end. The urgency of the situation is age appropriate and will have readers fearing for the safety of the guinea pig. While the witch's hesitation to try to help with her magic is understandable, it's hard not to wish that she'd just give it a go and make everything okay. While this tension builds, the humor never stops, either. Mixed with the magic, it adds enough lightness and fun to keep things from growing too serious. So, it is great for even more sensitive readers. 

The text is a little on the heavy side for very beginning readers, and I would slide the suggested age group up more to the 6 to 9 age range. It would work wonderfully as a read-aloud, though, for the younger age group. The illustrations also add a lot of fun and help the fantasy fly.

It's an enjoyable read with characters to enjoy, and it will be enjoyable to see what witch will encounter an adventure next.

And here they are...

Dave Lowe grew up in a town called Dudley, in England. He now lives (with his wife, two teenage daughters and a mini sausage dog called Ted) in Brisbane, Australia. A best-selling and award-winning author of 11 books for children, Dave has also written three plays and, most recently, an episode of the TV show 'Bluey'. 

Jennie Poh studied Fine Art at The Surrey Institute of Art & Design, alongside illustration courses at Central St Martins, before becoming a children's book author and illustrator. She was the 2021 Giverny Book Award Winner and the 2023 Mom's Choice Award Gold Recipient.