Mariasole Brusa

Unhappy with the state of her blue hair - so unlike that of all of her peers - and angry that her potion had failed to remedy the situation, the grouchy witch in this Italian picture-book decides she must do something "witchy." Setting out to steal a child, she happens upon a young boy at a playground, one who is playing with dolls. To her surprise, the boy responds to her threats, not with fear, but with a number of searching questions about why she wants to snatch him. Adam (the young boy) likes to style hair, and he works a transformation in the witch's coiffure, pointing out in the meantime that the witch shouldn't do things to make herself feel more like a witch, but rather, because she enjoys them. But what does the witch enjoy...?

Originally published in Italy as Turchina la strega (literally "Turchina the Witch"), Witchy Things was chosen for the Premio Narrare la Parità (Narrating Equality Award), given out by the Donna Per Esserei (Women to Be) association to children's books which promote equality, show respect for identity, and battle stereotypes. The book was translated into both English and Spanish by the Madrid-based publisher NubeOcho, and is one I largely sought out because of its witchy content, given my perennial interest in picture-books and early readers depicting witches. I found Mariasole Brusa's story engaging, if sometimes a little on the nose, when it came to the message of not being bound by stereotypical expectations, whether of one's gender or some other identity marker (such as being a witch). The bright, colorful artwork from illustrator Marta Sevilla was a real pleasure, and I particularly liked some of the smaller details, from the witch's striped stockings (a design also seen on the decorative endpapers) to her feline and murine companions' expressions. All in all, this was a fun title, one that I would recommend to picture-book readers who are seeking stories about witches, self-image, and/or defying stereotypical expectations.… (more)