This is a delightfully illustrated book that misses the mark. I wanted SO much to give this five stars, but it perfectly shows how families set up their children for failure. They orchestrate all the conditions for jealousy, then wonder why the older children are hard-hearted toward the new additions (especially new babies).

Willow is a happy single child who is active and craves attention. When Rowan, her baby brother comes home, everyone "falls under his spell." Even grandma (Willow's biggest fan) starts to say hello to Willow, then ignores her for the baby.

When Willow can't get positive attention, she tries for negative attention, and barely gets that. Willow doesn't accept the baby until he is nearly 2 years-old. That's two years of unhappiness. And it isn't cute.

All of her struggles are caused by the adults, and it makes me furious! Her parents don't prepare her for the new baby, or let her help with him. And they maintain the problems by ignoring her and her unhappiness. (A child her age cannot fake being happy.) Children feel very real fears of being replaced and forgotten.

(People even follow these disastrous patterns with their pets, then are baffled by the results. Some pets become aggressive and need special training or are put down.)

I understand that this is fiction, but the real-life problem is far too common, and the children are blamed for being stubborn, mean, and unaccepting.

So, although the book is adorable--to a point--it fails to clearly show how the adults should have treated Willow all along. Shame on them! And shame on everyone who perpetuates this damaging behavior.

I cannot recommend this book unless it is corrected.

2.4/5 Stars

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the free preview if this ebook. The review is voluntary.

#SpellboundByJessTownes #NetGalley
#UnionSquareKids #SterlingPublishing
#JessTownes #JessTownesAuth
#JenniferHarney #JenniferHarneyIllust
#ChildrensFiction #ChildrensFictionNewBaby
#ChildrensFictionJealousy
#FictionPoorParenting
#FailuretoPrepareChildrenforAddition
#FailuretoPrepareChildrenforNewBaby

I loved this book! Getting a younger sibling is tough. Especially when you are the oldest and used to having all the attention. And Willow is totally used to having ALL the attention. So when her brother comes and steals it away, there can only be one explanation: magic. He has them all spellbound. What's a girl to do? Why, protect her family, of course!

The use of magic and wordplay is just brilliant. And the images add in a whole other layer. The images are whimsical and just perfect for this magical story. Kids might ask the question: Is the magic real? or is it just pretend? That answer could go either way, and I love that so so much.

I highly recommend this book for kids with new siblings, but really for anyone who loves well-written stories. So well done!

Oh my gosh, this was such a cute book. It is about a magical little girl whose life changes when her little brother is born. Everyone is captivated with her little brother Rowan. Willow tries her best to stop her brother from overtaking their entire family with his magic. It is a story of the jealousy of siblings and how change is hard. However, with change even better things can happen. I loved it! I hope the author writes more in the series because Willow and Rowan are just so much fun!!

Beware! You too will be bewitched by the MAGIC in this book!

A seemingly simple story of a young girl, Willow, learning to adapt to the changes in her family with the arrival of her new brother. But is it so simple? We find that Willow is enchanted, and her new baby brother, Rowan, has powers beyond her belief. Rowan soon has the entire family under his spell but, Willow learns that Rowan's spell in one of love.

A precious tale of learning to adapt to change and the power of family. The illustrations are refreshing and remarkable. The textures and colors magically come to life, often making the reader feel they are watching an animated show.

The illustrations come to life with the magic overflowing from this book!!

Grateful to have received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley & Union Square Kids.

Children will love the magical world of Spellbound, where the little girl fills her world with spells and potions as she finds magic all through her world. Little does she know, her world is about to change, and all the people she knows will be changed as well. Along comes a new baby brother, and suddenly her parents are under a spell that must originate from the mesmerizing new baby. Jealousy and rivalry battle with the enchantment that the baby attempts to cast on his sister until he ultimately wins her over with a special magic all his own.

Willow is a magical only child who’s used to having her family’s undivided attention. Then Rowan is born and Willow’s family fall under his spell.

Willow does everything in her power to avoid succumbing to Rowan’s wizardry.

“But Willow knew her spells wouldn’t last forever.
If she wanted to stop Rowan, she had to take away his magic.
And she knew just how to do it.”

I felt bad for Willow. She’s jealous of her new sibling and the adults around her are so besotted with Rowan that they ignore her. The only attention she gets is negative. When she’s not behaving badly it’s almost as if Willow has perfected a vanishing act.

Willow ultimately discovers that siblings aren’t so bad after all but it’s probably just as important for parents to read this book so they’re reminded to be sensitive to the feelings of their children when new members are introduced to the family.

Jennifer Harney’s illustrations were really cute. The colour palette is lovely, with plenty of yellows and purples. I loved the way magic was portrayed and could definitely see myself living in Willow’s home amongst the trees.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Union Square Kids, a subsidiary of Sterling Publishing, for the opportunity to read this picture book.

I thought this was a beautifully illustrated picture book about a young girl who was the magic of her family. She acted like a wizard by "casting spells" all around her and her parents and they loved her for it. Then her baby brother was born and in her mind everyone loved him more. She thought he casted this spell over them to forget about her and her magic. I think this is a great story for children who are just about to big brothers or sisters. To show that parents love both children equally. I might seem like they don't, but it is just babies need a little bit more.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. Willow loves magic, and she has her family spellbound by all she can do, that is until one day when Rowan, her new baby brother is born. Then Rowan spellbound the entire family and Willow feels forgotten. Very cute.

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

It is a story about jealousy, and new roles, and sharing. The old sister doesn't understand why everyone's captivated by her new- born little brother, it must be because he's a dangerous wizard and everyone's under his spell. She's determined to break the enchantment, until she falls in love with him too. Very cute and sweet.

Cute book about a child adjusting to life as a big sister and sharing the spotlight in the family. Definitely a great read for children who are becoming big siblings

I received this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Willow has a new baby brother...and he's a dangerous wizard. She must use her magic to protect her family from the baby's charms. Until she falls under his spell as well and realizes their magic is meant to be shared. A fun twist on welcoming a new member into the family!

This story is absolutely adorable! My daughter loved it and I will be purchasing it once it is available!

I received an ARC, of Spellbound by, Jess Townes, Illustrations by Jennifer Harney. I loved the illustrations in this book.. Willow is a magical little girl until Rowan arrives.

Thank you to the publisher, author, illustrator, and NG for a copy of this book in exchange for honest feedback. Right off the bat, I think the cover is really cute. Love the illustration style and the details on the "spell" part of the cover. You can kinda tell what the story will be about just by the title/cover (the new arrival of a sibling). So, this book is about an older sibling who adjusts to not having the full attention of the family after the arrival of new sibling being born. She thinks that he is a wizard because he can enthrall his family members. She can't stop his powers..... but then he says her name. She melts and becomes friends with him.

So, the strengths are the cute illustrations and the story that can be relatable to kids who are dealing with life adjustments and may have valid feelings of not understanding why their parents or family members are busy or not able to give them the full attention they did before the birth. The best part is that they come together at the end to be friends. Cute story.

Great fun, as well as a lesson, this book is about a young girl called Willow who thinks she is a magician, a fabulous witch able to make her parents do what she wants and feed her when she wants – but is then dumbfounded by the utterly entrancing ability her newborn baby brother seems to have. How can she possibly share the home with such a dangerous wizard? This is what I'm getting at when I review a book and see how the moral or lesson or subject of discussion outweighs all the entertainment to be had – this is a look at adapting to and accepting new siblings, as well as being something with the narrative craft of a regular storybook. Great visual quality and Willow's strong character all make this a fun way to absorb the lesson, which will as a result appear to not be there while the young reader just engages with the girl's dilemma.

4.5 Stars
Willow lives in a magical world with her parents and pet rabbits, having loads of fun. She has their full attention as she performs her magic tricks. But soon, Rowan, her baby brother is born, and it appears that he is a powerful wizard. The adults, including Willow’s favorite granny, are mesmerized by the child.
Willow tries to end his magical control over others by using her magic. Does she succeed, or does she learn a new life lesson?
The book is a magic-themed take on sibling relationships and how the elder child feels when a new baby arrives at home. The ending is, of course, beautiful, with Rowan charming Willow with his love for her.
The language is simple and sprinkled with cute magical words that add to the charm. Kids will love using these spells in real life. 😉
I love the illustrations. Willow’s family lives in a forest (looks like a huge true house to me). The background is in shades of green- vibrant and colorful. The characters are rough sketches filled with colors. Willow’s golden hair looks super adorable with purple lines.
The overall effect is whimsical and magical. Spellbound indeed.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Union Square Kids - A subsidiary of Sterling Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This book was so cute! One of the top two children’s books I’ve read on here for sure. I loved it. I do have a daughter and am expecting another child so it was right up my alley. Willow practices magic and starts to feel left out when her baby brother leaves the family spellbound. This shows the emotions older children may feel when adding another member to the family. So sweet!