The Knitting Witch by Norma Kassirer & Mark Richardson

Very shortly after beginning to read this book on my Kindle Paperwhite, it struck me that I was definitely missing out by not being able to see all the illustrations in full color. After some frantic searching across various websites and devices, I was finally able to access a non-grayscale copy, and oh readers, what a delight this was!

Don’t get me wrong, the pictures are totally serviceable in black and white — and arguably this book could be enjoyed without pictures altogether — but why needlessly deny yourself the pleasure? Mark Richardson’s delightful watercolor and ink illustrations, done primarily in sepia tones with the occasional highlight in green and purple, so perfectly suit this whimsical but thoughtful tale of a small family learning how to be better.

The main character is not, as the title would suggest, a mystical being. Instead, our protagonist is the obnoxious Ivy Lou, a beautiful little girl who is dreadfully spoiled by her parents. Whenever she doesn’t get her way, she launches into a series of tantrums that her cowed parents inevitably give way to. Soon, their resources — material or otherwise — are drained as they cater to their demanding little girl.

Unsurprisingly to anyone not in Ivy Lou’s family, she has no friends. When a witch shows up on their doorstep promising to make perfectly obedient little friends for Ivy Lou to boss around, Ivy Lou’s parents hand over the last of their money to help their little girl acquire the only thing they haven’t been able to give her. The witch even shows them delightful little samples knit out of magic yarn, and Ivy Lou gleefully anticipates the acquisition of a small army of helpless minions.

Ofc, the witch has no intention of upholding her end of the bargain. Having heard of Ivy Lou’s selfishness and stubbornness, she’s decided that she’s found the perfect wicked apprentice, and quickly sets about knitting away the little girl’s old life so she can mold Ivy Lou into her own image. Will she succeed, or will Ivy Lou find the gumption to save herself and her parents from the witch’s evil machinations?

I haven’t been charmed this way by a children’s chapter book in such a long time! I’m genuinely surprised that I never encountered Norma Kassirer’s work before The Knitting Witch, and am only sorry to hear that she passed away in 2013. Fortunately for readers everywhere, her daughter Sue found this manuscript among her mother’s effects and got it ready for publication, in no small part by enlisting Mr Richardson to illustrate the wise and flowing text. The result is a tale that feels at once classic but eternally relevant to raising good children. While kids can absolutely read this on their own, it’s perfect for them to read with their adults as well. Honestly, any adult could benefit from reading this, with or without their kids: after all, in the immortal words of Roald Dahl’s Oompa Loompas, “A girl can’t spoil herself, you know.”

The Knitting Witch by Norma Kassirer & Mark Richardson was published October 1 2024 by the Collective Book Studio and is available from all good booksellers, including