The story of wand-wielding Bea comes alive in this picture book-graphic novel hybrid. Bea can see magic in everything, like in a camouflaged lizard that can disappear or a forgotten memory revealed by moonlight. But the one thing Bea’s magic has not been able to fix, is her mom’s busy work schedule.
While on a trip to the museum district with her mom, Bea finds the strongest magic is a brew of science, with a splash of imagination, and a sprinkle of wishes. She discovers new ways for them to feel close even when they have to be apart. And she just might be able to help her mom find her magic again.
The story of wand-wielding Bea comes alive in this picture book-graphic novel hybrid. Bea can see magic in everything, like in a camouflaged lizard that can disappear or a forgotten memory revealed by moonlight. But the one thing Bea’s magic has not been able to fix, is her mom’s busy work schedule.
While on a trip to the museum district with her mom, Bea finds the strongest magic is a brew of science, with a splash of imagination, and a sprinkle of wishes. She discovers new ways for them to feel close even when they have to be apart. And she just might be able to help her mom find her magic again.
Many parents would love to work less and spend more time with their kiddos, but, unfortunately, duty calls. At the start of the story, Bea's mother drops her off at Mimi's house, where Grandma Mimi encourages the little girl to locate the magic around her. Immediately, Bea finds three magical items and then attempts to coax her mother to stay with them with a wave of Wandy. Fiction imitates reality when the magic fails and her mother has to rush off to work.
Mimi and Bea have a grand time at Fountains Park where objects come alive with a wave of Wandy. Though the day was filled with "magic," there was one thing missing: Bea's mom. At dinnertime, the child's feelings about her mother's absence were plain to see. Readers will empathize with the daughter's sadness while also relating to the moment the parent apologized for having to work late.
We all have a place that brings us joy, a place where we found "our magic." It can lead us to find our purpose in life. We discover where Bea's mom first found her magic and how it shaped her career path. The mother-daughter touching moments offer lovely ideas on how real -life families can share the magic even when they are miles apart.
A Good Witch is a touching children's book with bold, folk-style illustrations in block panels. Though this book is suggested for school-age children, the color palette and characters will capture the eye of kids even younger than 5. For example, Merlin the black cat was a scene stealer. I loved his facial expression when he said, "Don't I get a treat?" It's a look many cat owners have gotten from their pet(s). Even though the artwork sparked my interest, the story didn't flow as smoothly as it could for me in some places. I did love the overall message: Be a good witch and take time to spot the magic. I also liked the idea of starting each day with a "power hug."
Amazon's recommended reading age is 5-9 years, a good range when kids are learning to read independently or for reading comprehension.