Cover Image: Evie and the Truth about Witches

Evie and the Truth about Witches

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Member Reviews

Evie wanted to read a scary book, so she went to a bookstore that specialized in scary books. She chose the book called The Truth About Witches. The bookseller warned her not to read the last page out loud. When Evie read the book before bed, she learned a lot about witches but wasn’t very scared. Though she knew she shouldn’t, she read the last page out loud. Evie had to face the life changing consequences of not following that rule.

This story would be perfect for Halloween. The illustrations were in black, white, and orange, giving it a Halloween theme. It also had a spooky theme with the witches that Evie learned about and eventually met.

The ending of this story really surprised me. It was abrupt and unexpected. As an adult, I loved it, but it could be a creepy ending for a child reader. It does teach an important lesson about listening and following rules, which Evie didn’t do.

Evie and the Truth About Witches is a spooky new children’s book!

Thank you Tundra Books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Definitely a twist ending if I ever saw one, and I know there’s an audience for this kind of spooky story. Very reminiscent of The Girl with the Green Ribbon around her Neck.

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Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the approval of this ARC. This is a children's picture book and a major win!! This is the perfect fun spooky Halloween witchy book for kids. The illustrations are adorable and have an amazing orange color scheme that was very eye-catching and captivating. It ends with the perfect creepy moment. This is definitely one to add to your Halloween stash for parents and teachers alike.

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This is just the right kind of book for beginning chapter book readers. It's got a real plot ala picture books- but it's in a format that new readers can read themselves easily. Plus, the story is simply inspired. I couldn't wait to see what would happen next as an adult!

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I would like to thank Netgalley and John Martz for providing a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review. Evie and the Truth about the Witches follows young Evie. Evie enters a book shop and asks the women working there for a scary book because she wants to be scared. After a little bit of searching Evie chooses The Truth about the Witches. The women replies by telling her that it is a good choice and that it’s a gift from one reader to another but before letting Evie exit the shop the women warns her not to read the last page out loud. Overall, it was a cute picture book, and it certainly does have a lesson at the end. It is great because it has a simple format and beautiful artwork, and the story is easy to read for early readers. It is also very fun and intriguing and easy to follow. Overall, it was cute and easy but still very interesting and a unique picture book.

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Most of the book was very cute but I’m not so sure about that ending for some children. It seemed too open ended and might be too spooky. I understand it’s like a cautionary tale sort of thing but maybe something else.

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4 stars. Thank you Netgalley for the arc. This was a super cute story about a little girl who reads a book about witches and not everything is as it seems. Definitely recommend for elementary kiddos.

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ARC Copy...I can say is, the kiddies will love the whimsy of the witch's world and highly suggestible as a fun-Halloween time early reader. The scary if sad twist at the end is very much a surprise too like a true horror read!

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Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the digital ARC of John Martz’s EVIE AND THE TRUTH ABOUT WITCHES.

If you want a legitimate horror easy reader – look no further. This is not a book for everyone, but the kid (any age) who loves being creeped out is going to eat this up.

Take all my favorite Are You Afraid of The Dark horror tropes – mysterious bookstore with eerie eccentric proprietor; scary old enchanted book; too-good-to-be-true coven love-bombing – and you have this book.

Loved

This is a clever and deliciously spooky story with very cool tri-color illustrations.

On-point world building and brilliant twist ending.

Martz’s witch world is apparently very inclusive of all races and sexual orientations, presented without comment or question. More of this please!

Caveat

Content warnings for stranger danger and kidnapping. You don’t want to give this to a child who’s just buried a loved one.

In fairness, due to an Adverse Childhood Event, I would have been really bothered by this book as a child.

Verdict

As a parent of young children — Evie’s story is scary in the shocker way (think Ringing Bell type of dark). As in I’d have to think about it before reading it to a picture-book-aged child.

I could see this story scaring the fecal matter out of the top 25% of the most sensitive children. The rest will just crawl into your bed for a few nights following, sleeping in starfish position and doing sleep-kung-fu until you run screaming to the chiropractor.

As a nerdy bookworm adult — This would be a great gift for PB-loving adults or horror geeks. (There are more than you realize out there in the world).

EVIE AND THE TRUTH ABOUT WITCHES will be out in August.

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I received an advance copy of, Evie and the Truth about Witches, by John Martz. I really liked this book, until the end of it. Evie wants to be scared, and she definitely gets her wish.

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A book that starts spooky, then switches to sweet, then goes back to spooky! Perfect for a kid looking for a "spooky" read who doesn't want to be too scared. Great for the Halloween season!

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I was NOT expecting that ending!

I began this book think it was a cute story about a girl and witches, which it was. The lovely art style and such an innocent and pleasant surprise about witches and then BOOM the end. I did not see that coming, and it left me shocked.

Very well done!

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I wanted so much to love this book. However, the kindle download made it impossible. The pictures didn't load right and I was unable to even follow the storyline because so much was dependent on the pictures to understand what was happening in the book. Hopefully, once it comes full circle with the images and the print, it will be a book loved and enjoyed by many children. (I am not posting to Goodreads because I know this book will be tons better once the kinks are worked out.)

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Received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

An absolutely adorable story, I really liked it! The illustrations were easy to follow and sweet. It's still a Halloween story, so the ending will prompt a discussion. Spooky!

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Evie and the Truth About Witches is a delightful children's book with great illustrations found on each of the pages that help to tell the story along with the actual storyline. In the book, Evie goes to the library looking for a scary book. She finally settles on one titled "The Truth About Witches" and is warned by the librarian not to read the last page 'out loud' because it is an actual spell with dangerous consequences. What do you think happens?

This book would make a wonderful bedtime story, or a storytime book for a classroom or library group for kids, especially since it has the pictures on each page that can be used to help tell the story along with the words. I feel it will make children think and possibly ask questions so it will foster some fun open ended discussions. Either way, the author, John Martz has written a very cute, fun story for kids that they will find joy in reading. I would recommend this one, as it is a fun book for kids or to read to kids!

I would like to thank #NetGalley, the publisher, Tundra Books, Penguin Random House, and the author, John Martz for the digitalARC I received in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

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This graphic novel was so adorable. Evie was such a cute little main character, and the art style was so cute.

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A children's adventure story with a surprise ending, it's adorable! I love the illustrations.

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I really enjoyed this book. Without spoiling the ending, it manages to be both spooky and not spooky at the same time. I definitely think it would work well as a storytime readaloud as it could definitely provoke some fun discussion at the end. Very nice.

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I love the ending; very well done! The illustrations in this book highlight the text perfectly. I would love to tell you more but I don't want to give away the story. :)

Thank you NetGalley for the DRC.

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Wonderful illustrations and a creatively spooky story, just right for young readers. This is a perfect read-aloud for the Halloween season!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

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