ADORABLE PARABLE

This fun parable tells the story Ivy Lou, of a young girl who is incredibly spoiled. The late Norma Kassirer wrote this tale in the 1960's and the author's daughter recently unearthed the manuscript. Any time Ivy Lou wants something, she throws a tantrum and gets her way. The only things she can't get are friends. No one wants to play with such a spoiled brat. When a witch offers to knit her some playmates, Ivy Lou ends up with more than she bargained for. Kassirer's tale is old fashioned and reminiscent of the Brothers Grimm. Her style is delightful. The illustrations by Mark Richardson are in muted tones, mostly in sepia with an occasional splash of color. The nostalgic style reminds me of the illustrations in chapter books published at the time it was written. I received a temporary advanced copy from the publisher, but all opinions are my own. I can honestly recommend this timeless tale for any youngster who enjoys reading fantasy or folktales. This chapter book tells a great story and teaches a lesson along the way.

Can you feel nostalgic for a book you’ve only read for the first time? I absolutely adored this book, and if I had read it as a young child it could’ve easily been my favorite. I think this book has great lessons for young readers while having a bit of a creepy vibe and beautiful illustrations.

The Knitting Witch by Norma Kassirer is a charming and imaginative tale that brings magic to life through vivid imagery. Kassirer’s enchanting storytelling creates a world that feels both whimsical and cozy, making it a joy to read. It's a delightful book that weaves together creativity and wonder in a way that captivates readers of all ages.

This was fun. The illustrations were nice additions to the tale and added to the drama of it all. Much like Veruca Salt, Ivy Lou needs to learn a lesson, but, also, so do her parents, which, I think, is what we mostly miss from stories like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or Coraline. We're given to think that the spoiled child needs to change, but there's someone else The Knitting Witch can also help.

Ivy Lou is a child who has two indulgent parents that gives her whatever she wants. Ivy Lou has only one problem in her life — no friends. The parents end up caving into letting her have everything she wants as she has perfected three levels of tantrums. The neighbors are more than upset when she has her tantrums as sh shrieks so loudly that she causes things to fly and break in the neighborhood homes. Due to the parents being rich, they always fix and repair what has happen to their houses as well as their own home. One day Ivy Lou is so upset, she threatens to turn herself inside out. Her parents give in to her demand. One day a witch with a green face, red eyes, a pointed hat, a black cloak, broomstick and knitting needles. The witch knitted a long scary where three children appeared and played with Ivy Lou. As time passed the witch kept knitting the scarf until it was very long. Ivy Lou’s parents touched the scarf and disappeared, then things inside the house as well as the house itself. Ivy Lou is taken to become the witch’s daughter. The witch isn’t happabout Ivy Lou as she is not turning into a very good daughter for her. She orders Ivy Lou to knit a black scarf and have it done by midnight or else! Ivy Lou knows that the scarf must be knitted perfectly or she will be very sorry. As she works as quickly as possible, she suddenly finds the almost done scarf unraveling no matter what she does. It continues to unravel and doesn’t stop. Why ? What will the witch do?

The author wrote a story about a very spoiled child who only thought about herself. There were no rules in the book that Ivy Lou followed. The book shows what happens to Ivy Lou’s selfish desires. The illustrator did an excellent job of illustrating Ivy Lou’s most horrible moments and the diabolical expressions of the witch. It is an old fashioned style in look and feel, but its’ storyline’ moralism has a charm that tones down some of the more dated elements. I loved the outrageous behavior that Ivy Lou resorted to so she would get her way. I thought the illustrations were perfect for the book.

Ivy Lou is a spoiled little girl that has everything she wants until one day a witch arrives at her front door. Everything Ivy Lou knows goes away including her family and she is left alone to live with the witch in her hut. The little girl likes to throw tantrums to get what she wants, but that doesn't bother the witch at all. Will she break the knitting spell and reunite with her family or be a witch's child?

I like the fairy tale feel of this book. It was a fun read. It would be great book for this spooky season.

Thank you to Net Galley and publisher for the opportunity to reach this book!

This story has a very 'classic' vibe. A very Brothers Grimm feeling tale.

A young, misbehaving spoiled girl Ivy Lou always gets her way or she will throw a tantrum. They shake and scare her parents and the neighbors. Her parents feed into her and one day a witch shows up to help... instead she takes over the house and parents and bosses Ivy Lou around in an attempt to make a witch out of her.

The book is all about behavior and how the witch does in fact help, but not in the way expected.

The illustrations fit that old fairy-tale/ folk-tale feeling very well. They are great, detailed illustrations but pretty monotone to fit the vibe. They also help the story along and I think younger readers will like having them. They can be a little spooky though, and the witch is pretty scary as well. She really is evil. It is a quick read at 88 pages but that includes the full page illustrations.

A few negatives, not sure that Ivy Lou really understands why she should behave, she just knows she doesn't want to be with the witch anymore. She is sad and lonely with the witch and that is why she wants to leave.

I also didn't really love the explicit note about black hair being evil. It might paint the wrong picture for young readers... that all dark haired people are evil and all blone/ blue-eyed people are 'good'.

Overall, it was a fun book and It is coming out just in time for spooky season.

The cover of The Knitting Witch caught my eye whenever I browsed the titles. This short children's story is so cute, and I love the illustrations. They complement the story perfectly. I think it's the perfect gift for young readers and also a delightful read for adults. Thanks to NetGalley and The Collective Book Studio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was longer than we were expecting, but it was a fun read and I am hoping that my son learned that throwing tantrums isn't the best solution. Cute read and fun illustrations. Love a little witchy book to add to our shelves in the Fall.

There is no doubt that Ivy Lou is a spoiled little girl. Her well-meaning mommy and daddy have given her everything she wants, and if they have ever been reluctant to give in to her Ivy Lou's legendary tantrums have left even the neighbors begging them to give in. But in spite of all of her toys and her personal freeway and her private ship crewed by her own pirates Ivy Lou has no friends. When a witch shows up offering to knit some magic friends for Ivy Lou, Daddy uses the last of his money to hire her. Unfortunately the witch has her own reasons for being interested in Ivy Lou, and soon Ivy Lou's life of privilege is gone. As her old life fades Ivy Lou tries to settle in to being a witch's child, but something in her old life just won't let go.
Reminiscent of Roald Dahl, The Knitting Witch starts with a very nasty little girl, gives her exactly what she deserves, and then redeems her in a fresh and satisfying way.. Mark Richardson's illustrations set the perfect mood for Norma Kassirer's expert storytelling.

This children's book is very intriguing! I loved the illustrations, they matched the vibe perfectly. Like a spoiled rich girl version of Coraline (in which her parents actually pay attention to her).

Pretty funny story of a very spoiled little girl of very rich parents and her comeuppance! I think kids 2nd to 4th gr
ade will enjoy this story. I like cautionary tales for kids. This one was pretty original in it's telling. The witch was grand! Illustrasions were wonderful. I'm betting they will look even better in color. Anyone who knows of a spoiled, unappreciative child, should get them this book. Pretty quick read and I am sure the child will recognize themselves, lol.

This was a very cute yet somewhat disturbing tale about a spoiled little girl who learns the hard way about appreciating what you have.

The story is a not so subtle tale about Ivy Lou and her parents who indulge her every whim at the expense of not only themselves but the community around them. That is until one day a witch shows up on their doorstep and makes them a proposition too good to be true. As a result, Ivy Lou is whisked away to train as a witch child without her parents and all of the toys and comforts she had before.

Suffice it to say Ivy Lou doesn't take long to realize just how good her life was and how loving her parents were while living with the evil witch.

A good lesson to be told at the end of the day through a short children's story with fantastic artwork.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

This was creepy and perfect and atmospheric, and the art is FABULOUS! The story is absolutely gripping and it will keep the middle-grade graphic novel lovers glued to the pages of this little book!

still on my quest to find books for my godchild, and this one intrigued me.

The art is wonderful. The story is fun and silly

It is slightly longer than a typical picture book which is perfect for a young reader looking to challenge themselves

This was everything I look for in a children's story, it had just the right amount of silliness and creativity to the story to make it entertaining for both the children and their caregiver who is reading it to them!! Loved it!

While I wouldn't read this to my own child, I don't think, I do think some children will enjoy this one. Longer than I expected when I requested the book (my oversight), I did find it a very quick read and could easily be read aloud, or buy am older child, in one or two sittings
I enjoyed the illustrations and felt they fit the tone of the story rather well.
I do wish that parents who have tantrumy, spoiled children in books could learn their lesson along with their child, as I feel like they need some help with aspects of parenting and boundaries too, but I suppose that doesn't make for a very interesting story.
This is an interesting new fairy tale, but one that's ultimately forgettable for me.

BEAUTIFUL book. The illustrations are reminiscent of children's chapter books from the 70s/80s. The art reminds me a bit of Strega Nona. I will be purchasing a copy of this book for my personal collection. Nostalgia says and I love how whimsical and striking the art and prose are in this. 5 stars!

*The Knitting Witch* by Norma Kassirer is a delightful and magical story that’s perfect for a children’s bedtime read. The book follows Ivy Lou, a little girl who seems to have everything—except friends. When a witch shows up and offers to knit her some magical playmates, Ivy Lou’s life takes a surprising and spooky turn.

At first, Ivy Lou thinks having friends made by magic is wonderful, but things quickly go wrong. The witch’s creations start to replace everything in her life, even her parents and home. Soon, Ivy Lou is trapped in the witch’s Horrid Little Hut, where the witch plans to turn her into a witch’s child. Ivy Lou tries to fight back, but she’s terrible at doing magic. With time running out, she must find a way to escape before it’s too late.

I loved how this story reads as a whimsical bedtime tale, full of imaginative and magical elements that make it fun and engaging. The illustrations by Mark Richardson are beautiful and add an extra layer of charm to the story, making it even more enchanting.

Overall, *The Knitting Witch* is a sweet and enjoyable story that will capture the hearts of young readers and anyone who loves a good fairy tale. It’s a perfect mix of magic, adventure, and a little bit of spookiness, making it a great choice for bedtime.
#TheKnittingWitch #NetGalley

Gentle and quick | How lovely that Kassirer's daughter unearthed this story from her mother's things, and was willing to share it. My sister and I used to love "witch" stories when we were little, the number of Ruth Chew books we had! (I say "had", but I still have six of them in the house now, as a childless adult) This felt much like those well-loved books of childhood, with a touch of Mrs Piggle-Wiggle as a child learns a lesson about their behavior. This is not a long read, it'll be for young readers just barely starting chapter books, and it's got excellent illustrations, though my fellow knitters should prepare themselves: not once are the needles shown being held in any actual knitting position. It's an artistic choice for a book for young readers, we can deal with it. I enjoyed this enough that I'll seek out Magic Elizabeth, one of Kassirer's other books, as it sounds so familiar but I can't tell if I've read it. Wouldn't it be marvelous if this late publication brought readers back to some of those classics? The "witch" books led me to Diana Wynne Jones (through Witch Week), who took me to so many other authors. With those memories in mind, I heartily recommend this one!