This is not your typical children’s book. It has some intense themes that would be better suited to upper middle grades just due to the complexity of thinking required. Some scenes could be disturbing for young children. As an adult it makes me want to think about the symbolism and the deeper message behind the words combined with the pictures.

I was given a free copy of this from NetGalley for my honest review.

I didn't hate it but I didn't love it.

The illustrations were very well done. I enjoyed looking at the details of the pictures. Truly amazing details.

The story itself felt rushed towards the end. It may be a bit much for the age range it is meant for. Then again all children read a different levels. I have to say I was a bit uncomfortable with the child's fascination with death there for a bit. The fact that she did wander off with a strange woman and that this strange woman who this child does not know fed her and did her hair. Offered her a seed that somehow showed her this beautiful place. I understand that the old woman was mean to be a guide of sorts but this has a child taking things from a stranger. Food. Seed put in mouth. Even a salva for the child's baby sibling.

This just was not for me. This may be for other people but this was not for me.

This book was definitely...interesting. But in a weird way. There were multiple things that didn't sit quite right with me, but two things that I enjoyed.
The good:
- The illustrations were very detailed, and beautifully colored! It is apparent that the illustrator has an eye for detail and a lot of talent.
- The central theme of hope. This is so important now more than ever, and it is awesome that the author has this as a prominent element of this book.

The not-so-good:
- The main event of running off with a stranger. I understand that this is a common theme in many stories for kids, but it was more in-your-face in this book. I think that the author can keep the Witch's character the same, but I would be cautious how much you go against "stranger danger". You don't want it to go so far that it becomes "anti-stranger danger".
- The seed scene. It felt very forced, and really seemed like a drug parallel. Putting a seed on a kid's tongue and then said kid sees a beautiful world? It's hard not to relate this scene to LSD. While kids obviously won't recognize this, it will still trip up parents.
- The rushed and lazy plot. There was a plot present, but towards the end it felt like the author had to finish the book quickly, and there was a lack of effort in the final pages. The main thing that allows this book to get to a conclusion is the scene I mentioned above, and it felt like a weak plot point. I think that having the Witch and the girl cast a spell or make a potion to save the city would have made more sense and been more engaging.
- The girl's interest in death. Not that I'm against this - it's good to explore and be curious about the world around you. However, choosing a dead bird to articulate this isn't a good idea for a kids' book. It could spark some unwanted or odd behaviors in kids after reading this book. See also: true crime books.

This just wasn't a book that worked for me!

Powerful picture book!

A little girl wanders into the woods and finds community with the town witch as she struggles with her baby sibling’s illness. Had themes of conservation, grief, growth and healing.

I loved it. Super cute and a lot to digest.

This is the story of a young girl that lives in a smog covered city. She has a baby sister that is sick. While her parents are preoccupied with her ill infant sister, she sneaks off to the woods to explore without her mask. There, she meets and old woman who is known as the Witch of the Woods. The young girl learns that the old woman is nice, and she shares her hope with the girl that one day, life and nature will come back to their city if everyone works together. The story is filled with hope and inspiration, and also touches on tough subjects such as death (she finds a dead bird, and she is also not sure if her baby sister will live), and pollution. Good illustrations.

This book gave me chills!

First, let me say that this is surprisingly deep for a children's picture book. But OMG, it is so good! There is a lot of fantastic subtext that begs to be unpacked.

Ultimately, this is a book that celebrates conservation and promotes environmental awareness and protection. Powerful and haunting.

I'm honestly not sure I've ever read such a uniquely moving picture book. Our story follows a young girl who finds solace in the dark and dank of the woods outside of her smoggy, polluted city. She's heard stories of a witch in the woods, but only finds solitude — until one day, when she is intrigued by a dead bird. A crone appears, persuading the girl to not bother the dead animal, and leads her back to her home. Lo and behold, the crone is the witch of the woods she's been warned about, but there's nothing scary about her. In fact, she is a conservationist who preserves seeds of brighter, beautiful things that the world lacks. Though her world doesn't automatically change, the young girl is gifted something priceless from the crone: hope.

It feels wrong to say that this is a darker book because there is so much of that hope woven throughout, but I would say it depends on the child reading it. The illustrations help create the mood perfectly, and the actual story isn't watered down at all. I thoroughly enjoyed it. (I also have to admit that I don't think I've read a picture book with a Black witch, so I loved that representation especially! Her entire vibe was *chef's kiss*.)

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

5 ☆
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The Witch of the Woods by Zetta Elliott is about a young girl who lives in a world where smog and pollution are harming the environment, and everything seems dead. The young girl ventures into the woods and meets a "witch" who teaches her about the circle of life. This book was great, and the illustrations were perfect. This is a good book for children, teaching them about the harmful effects of pollution and the circle of life.
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Thank you. Netgalley, and Rosetta Press for the Ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Set in a future world where smog & pollution is killing the planet, The Witch of the Woods is dark for a picture book. But I loved the illustrations and the overall message of hope. The lovely depiction of the food cycle was so nice & it is a great book to teach the kiddos about environmentalism.

Thanks to NetGalley, Zetta Elliott, and Rosetta Press for the chance to read and review! My opinions are my own.

"The Witch of the Woods" by Zetta Elliott is a sweet children's book about a little girl in a city that is really affected by pollution and smog. She goes into the woods for fresh air and encounters a woman known as a rich. Instead of being afraid, she is open to teaching and hope from the older woman. Touching story. Thanks to Rosetta Press and NetGalley for the eARC.