A delightful beginning chapter book with a young witch named Blue who works for their mother in a bakery. Blue is a witch in training, and their magic is still growing. Blue tries to help people in her community with their magic. When things don't go according to plan, Blue uses her imagination to try again.

The illustrations are A-DOR-ABLE. Seriously. So cute. I love the diversity in the characters portrayed and the love you can see in Blue's desire to help. I can see young readers falling in love with these characters and wanting Blue to solve more problems in her community.

Thank you to Random House Books for Young Readers, Kara LaReau, and Netgalley for a digital ARC. All thought are my own.

Witchycakes touches on a lot of different themes, but at the heart of it all is one simple, beautiful idea: everything feels a little easier when we’re there for each other. Whether it’s a boy who lost his beloved pet, a tired mom, or an elderly man grieving his dog, the message stays the same—kindness matters.

Blue, the main character, has such a big heart. She helps everyone in her own way, and that quiet, steady care she shows might just be the most important lesson in the whole book.

Even though this is a book written for younger readers, I truly believe there’s something in it for everyone. And I have to mention the artwork—it’s absolutely lovely and adds so much warmth to the story.

It’s the kind of book that gently reminds you how much small acts of love and support can mean.

A cozy start to a cozy series! This series follows a witch. Blue, who goes around their town and helps its citizens with their problem. Think Kiki’s Delivery Service mixed with the Disney Fairies chapter books. The artwork is beautifully integrated on each page, making it a perfect transition from graphic novels to chapter books.

I thought this was a very sweet beginner chapter book. The story was cute and magical, the illustrations were delightful. It had a very cozy, open atmosphere, and the scattered dynamic text just made it that much more perfect. I would definitely suggest this to beginner readers! Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for letting me read!

This was a cute, quick read at 88 pages. I was able to read it in one sitting. It gave my Kiki's delivery service vibes but only in the sense it is a young witch doing deliveries.

Blue deliveries desserts and such that her mother has made for the people of the town. But while she is doing here deliveries she helps out each person with her magic only to cause a mess and have to fix it with out magic. lol Making for the message of their are no short cuts in life.

Lovely book for young audiences, whether the book is read by a parent or a child who can read independently or with a bit of help.

young readers will enjoy this story where the easiest solution isn't always the right one. Blue uses their brains and imagination to help various people in their seaside town with a variety of problems. Parents reading to their young ones who know a little about sailing will find some amusement at the names given to the characters in this book.

An absolutely beautiful story about how we don't need magic to be a good helper. I love the inclusivity in this book with a non-gendered protagonist and a gay couple. It is treated perfectly for the age group. This early chapter book has such a wonderful message about helping those around us and meeting them where they are.

This is a book I would have loved to read as a child, but now my children can read it (and that is no less exciting for me!). This is such an enjoyable read, complete with beautiful illustrations and a cozy, magical vibe throughout. I love the talking magical familiars and the jovial cast of characters. Thank you, NetGalley!

Review dictated by my 6-year-old who read this with me:

I really like this book because it has a lot of character and it probably took the person who wrote this book a lot of work. Also, it was something that I would recommend for a kid to enjoy because it was fun to read and I am six so I think that if someone is older or younger than me I think they are going to have fun with it. Just for reminders, I LOVE THIS!!!! If I was a different kid then I would love it too. I love it so much that I CAN'T STOP TALKING ABOUT IT!!!

And from me, the grown-up:

This was a really cute book with lovely illustrations. I appreciated having a child main character with they/them pronouns, and that the message is about problem-solving to help people (and all of the solutions are things real life kids can do versus a magical remedy). While my kiddo is a very strong reader and probably could have read this on her own, it was nice as a read-together. Would definitely buy this for her to reread, and recommend it for other kids around that age.

WitchyCakes: Sweet Magic is an absolute treat! It is the perfect opener for this brand-new early reader series from the ever-clever and funny Kara LaReau. In this first book, we meet Blue, their familiar Gully, and many of the residents of Shellville as Blue sets out on their rounds delivering treats from their mother's bakery. Along the way, Blue works on refining their magic skills — and though their heart is in the right place, their spells don't always land as they intend. But, as this first book reminds us, real magic lies in our good intentions and deeds.

This delicious new series features an instantly endearing main character, a cozy town full of diverse and warm characters, a villain who's not too villainous, and bonus . . .a recipe for young magical bakers to try at home. A perfect series to share with young readers and students!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the pleasure of reading an E-Arc

This early chapter book was very cute! Representation matters, and I loved seeing a nonbinary main character where it's never addressed or made a big deal of, it just is the way it is. I also loved that while she's a witch-in-training and wants to use her magic to solve everyone's problems, it doesn't always work out and she has to think up other ways to help too. I especially liked the trifle recipe included at the end - a nice simple recipe for kids and parents to make together!

This is my favorite layout for early chapter books. I think it's more appealing and less intimidating for beginning readers. This story models diversity, inclusion, and consent. Every chapter focuses on some way that Blue helps someone else. Blue is a great model of behavior and intent for kids. Pair that with magic and talking animals and you've got a winning combination.

A word of caution: this book has non-binary characters and same gender couples. If you aren't comfortable with your children reading books with these types of characters, maybe skip this one.

This is a new beginning chapter series. It’s full of puns and magic. Our main character and her mom run a bakery and while our main character is learning magic she also has to do the daily deliveries. This book is exactly what one expects from the title and from the cover. It’s cute. It’s fun. There will be those who like it and want the next one.

I really loved the art style of this book. The art is what drew me in to begin with, but the story did not disappoint. I enjoyed the story from the very first page.

This book was great for an elementary starter chapter book. The illustrations were perfect to support the text. The story was easy to follow and engaging. It addresses diversity on an age appropriate level.

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.

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.