Wide range - the widest! - of witches and their familiars. Witches of colour, witches with tattoos, witches who happen to use wheelchairs, or live under water. Stunning endpapers, glorious illustrations, clever rhymes. Would have been one of my favourites as a toddler. So many animals, and all of them friends!

Apparently the author is Swiss so I'll make sure to check if I can find the German language version somewhere.

The arc was provided by the publisher.

The imaginative illustrations and peculiar companions are by far the highlight of this quirky picture book. An array of modern witches demonstrate how cool and creative witches can be, and ambitious witches-to- be will enjoy exploring the worlds of these magical mavens. But be warned, at times the poetry can be a bit clunky, likely because it is a translation, but the illustrations make it all worth while.

Witches and Poems! How fun! I love this book, and the different poems with each witch. The illustrations are great! I think this could be a great book to help develop and practice early literacy skills like phonological and print awareness.

This book was sweet, my child loved the illustrations, she enjoyed listening to me reading it to her (she’s 2) I thought this book was funny and clever it rhymed nicely, the only thing I’d have to say on the book that is not for me and my child is the last line “and he will always be better than a (bloody) old cat”

That is considered a swear word where I’m from and obviously not appropriate in a children’s book. However to conclude this book was really good overlooking the last line! I did enjoy it

The representation in this was incredible to see and something I really appreciated. I think it’s super important to show diversity within children’s books and this did that perfectly.

I really enjoyed reading this, it was engaging and the rhyming made it more fun! The artwork is beautiful, I could’ve spent forever looking at the illustrations. I definitely think that there should be a colouring book version of this book!!

Overall I really thought this was fantastic and age-appropriate. Definitely want my own Macaque, too!

Don’t let the title confuse you: This beautifully illustrated picture book actually deals with various animals, domestic and exotic, with witches figuring hardly at all (although they’re cute, rather than scary, when they do appear, and a most diverse group). Dutch author and illustrator April Suddendorf’s clever rhymes rise to the level of the charming pictures. Highly, highly recommended for young and old! And here’s to hoping Suddendorf’s debut picture book won’t be her last.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and NorthSouth Books in exchange for an honest review. And, if you don’t know, a “familiar” is a witch’s animal helper.

The mark of a good children's book is illustrations, and these illustrations are delightful. The subject of the witches and the familiars is so sweet, especially with upcoming Halloween. This reminds me a bit of Room on the Broom. The rhymes are a little bit off, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment.
Thank you to NorthSouth Books and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was not what I expected. The book is a poetry book telling the story of witches and their pets but was cute but some of the rhymes felt forced poetry is not my favorite thing to read so it is probably my personal conflict more than the writing.

I love the illustrations, and I love the witchy subjects. Some of the pages can be tricky to read aloud - the cadence feels slightly off. I think after a read out loud or two, it’d be easier.

My son saw this and begged me to read this to him! Luckily, it was a read now. It was perfect because we are doing a lot of rhyming at the moment.

This has many poems with rhymes about all the different witches and their peculiars. There are many different types of animal companions, and all have special skills to help. I loved the illustrations and all the details that went into it. There is a lot of diversity, and many different types of witches too.

There is a lot going on with the pictures, and my son kind of zoned out of listening to me. I get it because there was a lot to see! This is the type of book that you need to read slowly and take your time with. There is nothing wrong with that it’s just a more detailed picture book.

Ollie and I really enjoyed this one! He was so excited about all the rhyming words because there are many that he had never heard of. This was a cute set of poems, and I adored the diversity!

Many thanks to NorthSouth Books and Negalley for an e-arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was adorable and I loved it, it was a book all about witches and their more unusual familiars, the rhyming of it made it feel more like a poem or song and that paired with the fun pictures made me fly through this book, as well as this the cast of characters was diverse, with characters of different races and even one in a wheelchair, these felt like they were naturally slotted in rather than put in for the sake of diversity and I think that this is a wonderful way to include diversity to young children

I highly recommend this book

I was sent this e-Arc on Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was a cute children’s book about unique witches and their unique familiars. I loved the bright and fun artwork. The rhyming scheme was cute but there were a few places I thought the rhyming was a bit off. I’d buy this for a kid in my life.

**Thanks to the author and publisher for the e-arc I received from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.**

It's cute and fun, with a variety of ambiances. The illustrator did make an effort to offer multiple personalities and the style is unique. I was a bit put off by the faces of the characters. They're so childish and simplistic, they could really do with a bit more details. For now, they really lack some kind of "expression".
As for the text, it combines both form (rhythm, musicality) and some substance (variety of vocabulary, and a bit more text than in other children's books).
In the end, I would recommend this book to really young kids, because I think it would be a bit underwhelming for older ones.

As soon as I saw this book I knew I needed to request it for my daughter! She’s a bit of a spooky girl lol. She loves all the spooky things! And she loves animals so two birds with one stone. We did find this to be a super cute read. We enjoyed zooming and looking at all of the witches because they were all different and unique and also learning about all of their familiars. Some of the animals we aren’t as familiar with. The only con my daughter said was it was a bit too long in her opinion, but in the books defence she does not have a very long attention span lol.
Thank you to Netgalley and NorthSouth Books for the complimentary copy of this book to read.

Fun rhymes and a fun list of eclectic animals. For an older kid who may want to research the more unique animals. Bright colors and fun images of the different styles of pets and their witches. I received an advance review copy for free via Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review, thank you!

Wacky Witches and Their Peculiar Familiars is a nice collection of little rhymes and poems about witches and their pets. The texts are funny and educational. They show children how witches with some disabilities can also be unique and their familiars help them in any case. I love the idea of some extraordinary pets (worms, a cooking bear and a crab). I tried to read and view it as a child, so I smiled and giggled a lot :)
My only problem was that sometimes I could feel the struggle with the translation of rhymes...
The illustrations are very nice and the reader/child should spend time to explore the pictures and their details because they are really funny and rich!

"Some witches need protection, other just want some affection." STOP IT RIGHT NOW!!

As someone who self identifies as a witch because I have a black cat (lol) this might be the cutest children's book ever!

This book has it all: the rhymes, the illustrations, diversity, and a familiar for every little witch and warlock out there. I will 100% be buying this for my classroom library!! But I definitely have to bring it back to the diversity of this book - witches of all colors and sizes, tattoos, colored hair, missing limbs. disabilities, etc. It really has it all!!

I really loved the selection of familiars too: more than just cats, toads, and owls. There truly is something for everyone in here.

*Received as a free ARC*
Completely freaking adorable. Very diverse (race, age, ability). Will absolutely be buying this in the fall.

This book was a fun collection of random animals and the roles they could fulfill as a witch’s familiar. Who knew these animals could be so useful! I loved the pictures, but I did feel as though the book was missing an actual storyline or purpose.

The cutest little witchy book. This book is absolutely adorable!! It features so many different types of witches of with their familiars and the diversity is perfection. I love the artwork featured in this book so much and I would absolutely recommend this book for young readers!

*Thanks Netgalley and NorthSouth Books Inc., NorthSouth Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*