I adored Magic Elizabeth by this author so I eagerly read The Knitting Witch.

The brief story was about Ivy Lou a very spoiled only child and her family. Oh yes also a witch.

Ivy Lou was brat and the witch came in to help her.
Maybe.

The drawings were wonderful.
The story was quick with a lesson.
It reminded me of the old time stories like Grimms stories.

I read it to a few middle school children and they really enjoyed the story.

They been selling at the store, copies of this book. I have my own copy at home next to Magic Elizabeth.

I really enjoyed the story it was a perfect story for kids and the young at heaet.

Highlybrecommended.

Thanks Net Galley Nd the author and publisher. 4****

An absolute gift! I generally do not review children’s books but my heart swelled when I saw this one. I absolutely adored Magic Elizabeth when I was very young. It profoundly shaped my young reading life. The Knitting Witch is such a treat—a return to a beloved author’s style, with a story about a spoiled little girl and a witch trying to teach her a lesson.

A bratty child prone to throwing spectacular temper tantrums has a change of heart when a witch holds her hostage. Other than enjoying the enchanting illustrations by Mark Richardson, I wasn't wild about this book. The story seemed slight, and the knitting parts were rather pointless.

In all honesty, I was rooting for the witch.

Not what I expected. I was hoping for a scary story.Aliso didn’t know it was a kids book.Liked the drawings in the book, just wanted something more.

This was a dark and whimsical fairytale. I felt like a kid in bed curled up in bed reading this. It can definitely be read in one sitting and I definitely recommend it!

The Knitting Witch is a slightly darker fable for all-ages by Norma Kassirer. Originally written in the 1960s (and recently rediscovered and brought to publication by the author's daughter), this illustrated release from indie press Collective Book Studio is 88 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats.

Mostly aimed at primary grade readers (Lexile 860L grades 2-5), this is an enthusiastic and action filled fairy tale with a -very- bratty little girl who has notoriously epic tantrums (she threatens to turn herself *inside out*! *shudder*), and her poor long-suffering parents trying to cope with her outbursts.

It's fully illustrated throughout, and the art by Mark Richardson is full of small wryly humorous details which reward observant readers and invite them to take a closer look.

It's age appropriate, but high-stakes and moderately thrilling for a children's book. Stylistically, it is in the same general camp as Roald Dahl and E. Nesbit, and will appeal to lovers of classic children's fiction.

Four stars. It would make a good choice for public or school library acquisition, for home use, or gift giving.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

When I requested this ARC from NetGalley I didn’t really imagine that it was so short or a fairy tale. Given that it was listed as for Middle Grades and compared to “Coraline “I was quite disappointed when I read it. I cannot imagine a middle grade student who would like this book nor does it resemble, in any way, “Coraline”. That book was scary, this doesn’t even ruffle a feather.

If I review it for what it is, a fairy tale that elementary school students might enjoy, then the three stars I gave it are generous. Nothing happened in this book. It spent three chapters describing, at great length, Ivy Lou’s tantrums, which might have been ok if the book were about 150 pages longer or if, other than Tantrum 3 they were relevant to the plot. The part after the witch appeared had potential but eventually was the same thing repeated; the witch tried to make Ivy Lou a proper witch’s child and Ivy Lou moved slowly towards that end. The story would have been much more interesting if she did become a witch’s child and then either stayed that way, or somehow, redeemed her way back to a regular child. The whole unknitting thing came from nowhere - I assumed that the star had something to do with it but it is not even hinted at. In fact the star was an unnecessary addition except as a symbol of the mother’s love. Other than that it did nothing.

I will agree with other reviews that it read exactly like an old fashioned fairy tale and the writer can take credit for that, but other than that I wouldn’t recommend buying this book. Taking it out of the library maybe, but not spending money on it.

Ivy Lou is quite the spoiled child, one who wreaks havoc on everyone around her, even her neighbors. Her temper tantrums when she doesn't get her way are so legendary she even attracts a witch who promises to give Ivy Lou everything her heart desires. Unfortunately, it seems everyone but Ivy Lou and her parents know that you should never trust a witch.

This was just a cute little read ultimately about appreciating the things that really matter, jot material objects, and that the word No, especially in parenting, is not always a bad thing.

Overall, even though the author originally wrote this story decades ago, I found that it would definitely hold up to its more modern counterparts and can see it becoming a beloved story for young readers.

As always, thanks to NetGalley and The Collective Book Studio for the eArc!

You can check out all of my reviews at my Blog! <a href = "https://kellysbooknook.wordpress.com/"> Kelly's Book Nook</a>

ADORABLE PARABLE

This fun parable tells the story Ivy Lou, of a young girl who is incredibly spoiled. The late Norma Kassirer wrote this tale in the 1960's and the author's daughter recently unearthed the manuscript. Any time Ivy Lou wants something, she throws a tantrum and gets her way. The only things she can't get are friends. No one wants to play with such a spoiled brat. When a witch offers to knit her some playmates, Ivy Lou ends up with more than she bargained for. Kassirer's tale is old fashioned and reminiscent of the Brothers Grimm. Her style is delightful. The illustrations by Mark Richardson are in muted tones, mostly in sepia with an occasional splash of color. The nostalgic style reminds me of the illustrations in chapter books published at the time it was written. I received a temporary advanced copy from the publisher, but all opinions are my own. I can honestly recommend this timeless tale for any youngster who enjoys reading fantasy or folktales. This chapter book tells a great story and teaches a lesson along the way.

Can you feel nostalgic for a book you’ve only read for the first time? I absolutely adored this book, and if I had read it as a young child it could’ve easily been my favorite. I think this book has great lessons for young readers while having a bit of a creepy vibe and beautiful illustrations.

The Knitting Witch by Norma Kassirer is a charming and imaginative tale that brings magic to life through vivid imagery. Kassirer’s enchanting storytelling creates a world that feels both whimsical and cozy, making it a joy to read. It's a delightful book that weaves together creativity and wonder in a way that captivates readers of all ages.

This was fun. The illustrations were nice additions to the tale and added to the drama of it all. Much like Veruca Salt, Ivy Lou needs to learn a lesson, but, also, so do her parents, which, I think, is what we mostly miss from stories like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or Coraline. We're given to think that the spoiled child needs to change, but there's someone else The Knitting Witch can also help.

Ivy Lou is a child who has two indulgent parents that gives her whatever she wants. Ivy Lou has only one problem in her life — no friends. The parents end up caving into letting her have everything she wants as she has perfected three levels of tantrums. The neighbors are more than upset when she has her tantrums as sh shrieks so loudly that she causes things to fly and break in the neighborhood homes. Due to the parents being rich, they always fix and repair what has happen to their houses as well as their own home. One day Ivy Lou is so upset, she threatens to turn herself inside out. Her parents give in to her demand. One day a witch with a green face, red eyes, a pointed hat, a black cloak, broomstick and knitting needles. The witch knitted a long scary where three children appeared and played with Ivy Lou. As time passed the witch kept knitting the scarf until it was very long. Ivy Lou’s parents touched the scarf and disappeared, then things inside the house as well as the house itself. Ivy Lou is taken to become the witch’s daughter. The witch isn’t happabout Ivy Lou as she is not turning into a very good daughter for her. She orders Ivy Lou to knit a black scarf and have it done by midnight or else! Ivy Lou knows that the scarf must be knitted perfectly or she will be very sorry. As she works as quickly as possible, she suddenly finds the almost done scarf unraveling no matter what she does. It continues to unravel and doesn’t stop. Why ? What will the witch do?

The author wrote a story about a very spoiled child who only thought about herself. There were no rules in the book that Ivy Lou followed. The book shows what happens to Ivy Lou’s selfish desires. The illustrator did an excellent job of illustrating Ivy Lou’s most horrible moments and the diabolical expressions of the witch. It is an old fashioned style in look and feel, but its’ storyline’ moralism has a charm that tones down some of the more dated elements. I loved the outrageous behavior that Ivy Lou resorted to so she would get her way. I thought the illustrations were perfect for the book.

Ivy Lou is a spoiled little girl that has everything she wants until one day a witch arrives at her front door. Everything Ivy Lou knows goes away including her family and she is left alone to live with the witch in her hut. The little girl likes to throw tantrums to get what she wants, but that doesn't bother the witch at all. Will she break the knitting spell and reunite with her family or be a witch's child?

I like the fairy tale feel of this book. It was a fun read. It would be great book for this spooky season.

Thank you to Net Galley and publisher for the opportunity to reach this book!

This story has a very 'classic' vibe. A very Brothers Grimm feeling tale.

A young, misbehaving spoiled girl Ivy Lou always gets her way or she will throw a tantrum. They shake and scare her parents and the neighbors. Her parents feed into her and one day a witch shows up to help... instead she takes over the house and parents and bosses Ivy Lou around in an attempt to make a witch out of her.

The book is all about behavior and how the witch does in fact help, but not in the way expected.

The illustrations fit that old fairy-tale/ folk-tale feeling very well. They are great, detailed illustrations but pretty monotone to fit the vibe. They also help the story along and I think younger readers will like having them. They can be a little spooky though, and the witch is pretty scary as well. She really is evil. It is a quick read at 88 pages but that includes the full page illustrations.

A few negatives, not sure that Ivy Lou really understands why she should behave, she just knows she doesn't want to be with the witch anymore. She is sad and lonely with the witch and that is why she wants to leave.

I also didn't really love the explicit note about black hair being evil. It might paint the wrong picture for young readers... that all dark haired people are evil and all blone/ blue-eyed people are 'good'.

Overall, it was a fun book and It is coming out just in time for spooky season.

The cover of The Knitting Witch caught my eye whenever I browsed the titles. This short children's story is so cute, and I love the illustrations. They complement the story perfectly. I think it's the perfect gift for young readers and also a delightful read for adults. Thanks to NetGalley and The Collective Book Studio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was longer than we were expecting, but it was a fun read and I am hoping that my son learned that throwing tantrums isn't the best solution. Cute read and fun illustrations. Love a little witchy book to add to our shelves in the Fall.

There is no doubt that Ivy Lou is a spoiled little girl. Her well-meaning mommy and daddy have given her everything she wants, and if they have ever been reluctant to give in to her Ivy Lou's legendary tantrums have left even the neighbors begging them to give in. But in spite of all of her toys and her personal freeway and her private ship crewed by her own pirates Ivy Lou has no friends. When a witch shows up offering to knit some magic friends for Ivy Lou, Daddy uses the last of his money to hire her. Unfortunately the witch has her own reasons for being interested in Ivy Lou, and soon Ivy Lou's life of privilege is gone. As her old life fades Ivy Lou tries to settle in to being a witch's child, but something in her old life just won't let go.
Reminiscent of Roald Dahl, The Knitting Witch starts with a very nasty little girl, gives her exactly what she deserves, and then redeems her in a fresh and satisfying way.. Mark Richardson's illustrations set the perfect mood for Norma Kassirer's expert storytelling.

This children's book is very intriguing! I loved the illustrations, they matched the vibe perfectly. Like a spoiled rich girl version of Coraline (in which her parents actually pay attention to her).

Pretty funny story of a very spoiled little girl of very rich parents and her comeuppance! I think kids 2nd to 4th gr
ade will enjoy this story. I like cautionary tales for kids. This one was pretty original in it's telling. The witch was grand! Illustrasions were wonderful. I'm betting they will look even better in color. Anyone who knows of a spoiled, unappreciative child, should get them this book. Pretty quick read and I am sure the child will recognize themselves, lol.