Highly illustrated in full color, large font, plenty of white space and well under 100 pages make this an ideal choice for early readers.

Blue and their mom work together not only at their bakery but using and learning magic, too. But in the course of making their deliveries, Blue discovers that using magic isn’t always the only way to help neighbors with feelings of grief, exhaustion or a misplaced pet.

Readers will love the outstanding illustrations Blue’s seaside town and her family and neighbors. The messages of working together, the joy in helping others and persistence when things don’t work out as planned are obvious but not preachy. An easy recipe that can be done with very little adult help is included.

Blue uses they/their pronouns and for those unaccustomed to reading those pronouns in the singular, there may be some confusion. Target age-grades 1 through 3.

I received a e-copy of this book to read and give a honest review. I really enjoyed this book and feel it is written in a way that kids would enjoy it and learn good things from the story line. In the book Blue is a witch to be and helps her mother around their bakery with orders. Blue struggles with her witchy powers and ends up having to find ways to help her friends out the old fashioned way. I really enjoyed the story as it went through all of Blue towns people where she had to find ways to pitch in and help those who need it. I appreciate NetGalley and Random House books for the opportunity to read this book. I honestly feel it was a delightful book for kids.

This is a fun and cute story about a young witch, Blue, who is learning to use their magic and problem-solve. Blue realizes that trying again when things don't work out is an important part of succeeding. This book is inclusive and has LGBTQIA+ characters. The art is comforting and draws readers in with a beautiful pastel color pallet and fun illustrations.

The book Witchycakes explores many themes, but they all share one common message: when we support each other, everything becomes easier. Whether it's a boy who lost his beloved pet, a tired mother, or an elderly man mourning his late dog, the story shows how kindness and understanding can lighten any burden.

The main character, Blue, stands out with her big heart. She selflessly helps those around her in any way she can, and this warmth and compassion make the story truly special. Although the book is primarily aimed at younger readers, I believe anyone can find something to enjoy in it.

Additionally, the beautiful illustrations deserve special mention, as they further enrich the story and make it even more delightful to read.

Witchycakes is as warm and delightful as a freshly baked cinnamon roll—sweet, cozy, and sprinkled with just the right amount of magic! This is the kind of book that makes you want to curl up with a cup of cocoa and dream about living in a town where every problem can be solved with a little kindness, a dash of creativity, and a perfectly enchanted pastry.

i loved the art style, the illustrations were so pretty and inclusive! i would definitely recommend this as a standard witchy read for children.

This was so incredibly cute and fun! I loved the inclusive pronouns and characters and the illustrations. I would definitely pick this up for any child interested in magic/witches/whimsy.

I know I'm not the intended audience for this, but this was so cute, and I loved it. It's like Kiki's Delivery Service as a children's chapter book with a nonbinary protagonist, small town vibes, a cozy bakery, and magical hijinks. I think I saw a little drawing of a little girl who looked like Kiki on one of the pages, so that was fun little easter egg!
The book was so sweet and wholesome, and fun. Highly recommend this for a young reader or if you just kinda want a quick little boost of serotonin.
I want an edition of this for myself when it comes out because the artwork was so beautiful and immersive.
Thank you NetGalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Kara LaReau does a strong start in the Witchycakes series, it had that element that I wanted and was hooked from the first page. It had a engaging world that worked with everything that I was looking for. The characters were wonderfully written and worked well in this world, I am excited to read more from Kara LaReau and am excited for more in this series.

this is a super cute children’s book that follows blue, a witch in training who learns some important lessons about their magic and life. it was kind of reminiscent of kiki’s delivery service (more so the book, but also the movie) in that sense, which is probably my favourite ghibli movie of all time <3

i looved that the mc of a children’s book used they/them pronouns, and there were also visibly queer adults. the art style is really cute and the messages conveyed in the story are valuable for children. overall, i really liked this! would recommend to anyone looking to read a cute little book about magic and witches and yummy-sounding baked goods with their little kids while instilling in them a sense of self-confidence. also i really want a raspberry sandbar now, points off for making me crave something i cannot have :( it does have a recipe for a “beach crumble” at the end though which i might give a try to!

thank you to the publisher random house books for young readers and netgalley for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This sweet, charming book is sure to delight early elementary readers. Witchycakes delivers funny animal sidekicks, magical shenanigans, delicious baked goods, and an eager main character. 🌊🐚🧁✨️

The charming magical elements and ocean-themed setting made this really fun to read. I loved Blue, our main character who is a witch-in-training and always eager to help.

The illustrations made me want to fall right into Shellville! The color palette was perfect. I wish I could set up my own little beachy shop and meet all the neighbors.

Plus, I really appreciated the representation of a single parent, a gay couple, characters of all races, and a main character who uses they/them pronouns. Recommend!

Witchycakes #1: Sweet Magic written by Kara LaReau and illustrated by Ariane Moreira is a children's picture book for kids between the ages of six and nine with an expected publication date of August 5, 2025. The story is about a magical bakery and a kid named Blue who delivers the baked goods to businesses around town, and they like to help people out. What adventures does Blue help out with?

A huge thank you goes out to NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) for providing me with a copy for free in exchange for my honest review. I loved the synopsis of this book, and I love most anything that involves witches.

This is a super cute picture book about a child named Blue that uses the pronouns of they/their. They like to help out people by practicing magic that they've learned. When the magic doesn't always go according to plan, Blue must find other ways to help out.

Children will enjoy this heartwarming story. A recipe is included at the end of the book, and parents can help their kids make the dessert. It's a perfect way for parents to have a discussion about something that may not have gone their children's way and other ways to fix it.

There were times that I did find some of the transitions a little clunky, but other than that, I found it to be an endearing and fun story. Additionally , the illustrations are beautiful. Four out of five stars.

This book was refreshing and lovely to read. The illustrations are gorgeous and full of detail- I especially loved the nod to Kiki's Delivery Service in one of the spreads. The through-line of the book holds up with each story, but they can also be read spread apart without losing anything, something I find helpful for early chapter books like this one. I personally love witchy stories and this one is super cozy and cute for grown ups to read alongside a child. I think kids will also enjoy the story and Blue's attempts to hone their magic. The use of they/them pronouns for our main character is never made a big deal of or overly explained, which I found refreshing as a reader.

the artwork is darling and the premise is super cute. I couldn't get over the fact that Blue was nonbinary. I did not understand it and when I read it with my daughter, who is ten, she did not understand it either and I was not prepared for that conversation. I know some may view themselves as such, but there should be a way to make parents aware so that they can choose for their family. Blue using pronouns did not serve the story in any way and maybe some background or insight to it would have made it make sense, otherwise, it just felt out of place. I liked the recipe at the end,

This was such a sweet kids chapter book with beautiful illustrations on every page making it easy and more enjoyable for kids to read and give them a visual too. This is perfect for kids who are wanting a step up from picture books but not quite ready for chapter books, plus it had a delicious recipe in the end that your kids will love to try with you! Literally planning to make it this summer because it looks and sounds delicious.

Witchycakes is a very cute early chapter book. It is just a few chapters long, with lots of illustrations. Its a very lovely, cozy little story about Blue, a young witch in training, who delivers food from her mom's bakery to the surrounding town. Blue tries to help out wherever she goes, and usually messes up. But she always tries again and with hard work and friendship, gets the job done.

Witchycakes is an adorable children’s story that follows Blue, the main character on their adventures delivering baked goods from their and Mama Moons bakery while helping out the people they are delivering to.

I loved this book, the story is good and the art is beautiful, the book even managed to touch on the sensitive subject of losing a loved one.

I am curious if the writer took inspiration from Kiki’s delivery service as this book reminds me a lot of that only for a much younger audience .

I will be recommending this book to everyone I know that has kids.

Thank you Netgalley Random House Children's | Random House Books for Young Readers for the arc

This is a cute series about a young witch trying to find where she fits in and figuring out her magic. I think that young girls will really like this series. I also really liked the color palette of the illustrations.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC

I was totally enchanted by the soft, inviting illustrations that bring Shellville to life in this new early reader series. Blue may not have perfected their magic skills yet, but they have a lot of heart and imagination, which allows them to do more than just deliver baked goods around town--they're also happy to lend a helping hand wherever it's needed. Super sweet, community-oriented--perfect for future readers of cozy fantasy.

This is such a cute story! I read this with my little cousin since it's for a younger audience, and she loved it. The artwork inside was absolutely adorable and there was even a recipe at the end that you can try. I just think this book needs more promo because it has the potential to be popular amongst the little age audience.