The Magic Nesting Doll by Jacqueline K Oburn illustrated by Laurel Long

Katya is gifted a matryoshka, a nesting doll, by her grandmother.

"If your need is great, open the doll and help will come. But you may only do so three times. After that, the magic will be gone. Keep the doll and remember me."

Right from those words I knew Katya would use her gift wisely and unselfishly and I also knew I was in the realm of a fairytale because there are going to be a pattern of three. 

Just like in the famous story of The Snow Queen, Katya arrives in a city that is under the spell of perpetual winter, it is always night and there is no moon or dawn. The young Tsar (Tsarvetich) has been turned into living ice. He is watched over by his uncle the Grand Vizier.

"They took her into the chamber of the frozen prince. Katya had never seen a man so beautiful. His full lips were pale blue and his glassy hands long and fine. He hair glistened like frost. The only sign that he was not a statue carved of ice was the faint cloud of breath and the slight stirring of his chest."

I guess you are jumping ahead and thinking Katya will be the one to break this spell - and yes, she does but she will need help. And yes, that Grand Vizier is not to be trusted. Katya is thrown into the dungeon. It is time to use her first nesting doll - a bear. Now the snow is gone but the prince is still in his deathly sleep.

Next Katya is banished to a ravine - time to use her doll - this time the help comes from a wolf. The prince gains a little colour to his face as the moon once again appears in the sky and the Grand Visier is himself beginning to freeze. The third test comes when Katya is taken to the top of a remote mountain. Her third doll is the firebird. "Who better than a firebird to bring back the sun?"

Katya returns to the prince expecting to see him awake but alas, even though is restored - his hair is brown, his skin is warm - he is still in a deep sleep. What will she do? Be still my romantic heart!

The details of snow, birds, clothing, plants, and animals, and the lavish designs in the architecture and in the interiors, in combination with the appealing story, simply and economically told, but rich in archetypes, make this a book to be enjoyed over and over again. Kirkus

This book is from 2000 so it is 26 years old BUT it might be in your local or school library - that is a major joy of libraries that you can find 'old' treasures like this book. And I don't mean 'old' in the sense of old fashioned or outdated or worn out - I mean an 'old' book because it was published a long while ago. Of course, the story in this book is fairytale and so it is utterly timeless. I expect this Russian story has been told in many other books and forms.

Bookseller blurb: A wicked spell has changed a handsome young prince to a pale glassy figure made of "living ice," and his kingdom to a frozen landscape of night without moon, dark without dawn. Katya knows that it's up to her to rescue the prince and undo the evil spell that has banished the sun. Armed with only the magic nesting doll and her own valiant heart, she is determined to succeed. But will her courage and the mysterious nesting doll be strong enough to prevail? Laurel Long's dazzling jewel-like paintings and Jacqueline K. Ogburn's romantic original tale were inspired by Russian folk art and stories. This talented duo has created a modern classic that honors its folklore heritage while depicting a world in which a girl can be anything, including a hero.

Back when this book was first published you could buy a set of nesting dolls to match the story!

Companion books:

The Quilt Makers Gift

Cherry blossom and the Golden Bear

The Glassmakers' Daughter

Jacqueline K. Ogburn is a children's book author whose work frequently explores folklore, mythology, and creative uses of language. After earning bachelor's degrees in English and philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, she held various positions before spending a decade in New York City book publishing, primarily as a children's book editor at houses including Lothrop, Lee & Shepard and Dial Books for Young Readers. Following her move to North Carolina to raise her family, she began a second career writing picture books, where her background in editing and lifelong interest in stories shaped her approach to imaginative narratives. Ogburn's earlier titles demonstrate her engagement with mythological traditions and inventive storytelling, including retellings of Russian folklore in The Magic Nesting Doll and a Brothers Grimm-inspired tale in The Lady and the Lion, as well as original stories that blend whimsy with cultural elements. 

Laurel Long is the illustrator of many books for children, including Hans Brinker by Bruce Coville, The Magic Nesting Doll by Jacqueline K. Ogburn and The Lady & The Lion, a Grimm story. Her picture book, The Mightiest Heart by Lynn Cullen was awarded the Gold Medal by the Society of Illustrators. ... Laurel Long is a Professor in the Art Department at California State University, Northridge.

Here are some illustrations from The Magic Nesting Doll:

The Hotel Witch by Jessica Miller

A fun, whimsical tale about love, family, determination,

and the power of imagination. Reading Time

Publisher blurb: Sibyl is the apprentice hotel witch at the splendid Grand Mirror Hotel. She is busy each day drawing useful spell patterns to keep the hotel guests happy: spells to shine shoes, spells to remove dust and spells to return lost belongings like hats and gloves to their owners. But Sibyl dreams of other possibilities – wonderful possibilities like her mother returning from the Black Mountains, and like Grandma letting her draw spell patterns from the Book of Advanced and Dangerous Magic. When Grandma gets stuck in last Tuesday, somewhere on the hotel’s thirteenth floor, Sibyl is left to take charge of all the hotel magic – and to solve a mysterious and perplexing problem. Can she find a way to open the Book of Advanced and Dangerous Magic? And will it contain the spell she needs?

Have you noticed that when you read a book about a young witch you keep anticipating that all her spells will go badly wrong and end in disaster. I certainly did that in this book and yes, that does happen a couple of times, but it is in a minor way even though Sibyl is so easily distracted. I cheered when Sibyl does make her wand work in absolutely perfect ways - some small and one, almost a case of life and death when the Shadowmancer takes nearly every shadow and Sibyl is left to fight this evil woman alone. The changing descriptions of the Shadowmancer are also perfect examples of foreshadowing.

Check out this interview with Joy Lawn and Paperbark words. I think readers aged 9+ will enjoy The Hotel Witch - it has 278 pages and uses a larger font. All the extra quirky characters are fun too - Ahmed the elevator attendant, Alphonso the hotel cat and Dora the concierge not to mention the crazy hotel guests. The hotel rooms are also quirky and fun to imagine. The way Sibyl finds the right spell is a delightful detail in this story and not one I have encountered in a story previously - I will leave you to discover this for yourself. You might need to purchase your own magic wand after reading The Hotel Witch - I would certainly like one.

Jessica Miller has written a wonderful story that will keep the audience captivated and enchanted.  This novel will appeal to those lovers of fantasy and adventure. The Hotel Witch is filled with excitement and mystery, friendship, love and self-belief. Read Plus

The Hotel Witch deals with themes of family and friendships, but there is a real focus on learning to work with the things about yourself that others may deem a flaw and how to use these things in a way to benefit you so that they turn into a strength rather than a flaw. This is a lovely, magical book about overcoming obstacles and accepting yourself for who you truly are. A must read for any magic lovers out there who are looking for a bit of fun. Story Links

I picked up The Hotel witch in a school library partly because I liked the cover, I do enjoy stories set in hotels and I recognised the author name because I previously read these two:

Elizabeth and Zenobia

The Republic of Birds

The Children of Nuala by Malachy Doyle

Blurb: A long time ago, before you were born, or your grandmother was born, or your grandmother's mother before her, in a land far away, lived Olan. Olan's evil father is a magician and Olan has been born with a heart of ice. When he marries a beautiful woman called Nuala, Olan casts a terrible spell upon her children. But as his icy heart starts to melt, he realizes what he has done and he sets out to bring his family back together.

Olan marries Nuala who has lost her young husband - he has drowned and she is left with her four children - Connor, Cormac, Liam and Fionnuala. His jealousy of the love their mother shows the children allows his magician father to send a dreadful curse from far away:

"Three years you must spend under the cruel spell of my father. One year as swans, a second as blackbirds and third as ducks. Only then will you regain your human form."

Olan decides he and Nuala cannot stay on the island of Inchageela but with every move to a new place the birds - either swans, blackbirds or ducks, follow them. Each move is motivated by jealousy until finally Nuala is able to explain she can love Olan and at the same time also love her children - who now are able to return to her in human form and joy of joys there is a new baby in the family too.

I have been helping a friend in her two school libraries with stocktake (inventory) and also weeding (culling) her collections especially the fiction, picture books and lately the short chapter books. That is where I found this strange book. It is an old book published in 1998 but it is in really good condition mainly because Faber and Faber used really good paper. This is a slim book with only 47 illustrated pages but I think it would better suit an older audience of readers aged 10+. 

This story is based on an Irish folk tale and it also has strong links to one of my most favourite fairy tales - The Wild swans.

With a group of older students, you could seek out the original Irish tale - The Children of Lir and also it would be interesting to compare this story with Paradise Sands which won an award from our Children's Book Council of Australia in 2023.

Paradise Sands

Here are the details of this edition

The Witchling's Wish by Lu Fraser illustrated by Sarah Massini

Publisher blurb: The Little Witchling lives alone in her mountain top and more than anything else, she wishes for a friend. So, when her spell-book tells her that the secret ingredient is the fur from a little girl's favourite teddy, she knows what she must do. But the teddy belongs to Lily, who can't bear to part with him. Will the Little Witchling give up her dream of a real friend? Or just maybe, is there a way for her and Lily to make the wish come true, together?

Over the last two years I have read over 400 picture books in my role as a Children's Book of Australia Book of the Year judge (Picture Book and New Illustrator).  We were sent lots of books with stories told in rhyme and so many of them were unsuccessful. I highly recommend reading this article:

Do you control the verse, or does the verse control you? by Michelle Robinson

I am so pleased to read a book with an appealing rhyme - a rhyme and story that are sure to appeal to your young reading companion - aged 4+. Here is a video by Bloomsbury of the whole book. 

Kirkus agree: Friendship stories aren’t new, but this sweet British import, told in lively verses that scan well, will find a receptive audience.

Companion book (very sadly this gem is long out of print):

Little Big Feet

I have previously mentioned Sarah Massini:

Star in the Jar

The Little Prince

Here are some other books by Lu Fraser - I had added them to my "to read" list. 

Due for publication mid 2023

The Wintrish Girl by Melanie La'Brooy

"After eleven long years, the most famous day in the Empire of Arylia had returned. Today would be filled with celebrations and feasting and the all-important Talisman ceremony, during which young Arylians would be matched to their lifelong Talismans by the powerful Casket of Fate."

So lets look more closely at this text quote:

What are the Talismans? They can be any kind of useful object - a weapon, clothing even a musical instrument. each one is linked with magic or marvellance. Talismans allow citizens to defeat the Malevolents.

How does the Casket of Fate work?  On the day of the ceremony, every child reaches into the casket and takes out their talisman. Seraphine will not pull out a talisman. Instead she will receive the Orb and Scpetre which gives her power as a future ruler.

Who is Penn? How is she connected with Princess Seraphine? Penn is a knot sister. Princess Seraphine is too young to rule so for now Regent Gertrude is in charge. A knot sister is a child born on the same day as the Princess. Up until now Penn has lived in the castle and shared lessons with Seraphine. Now Penn lives with Goody - an old woman - she is from Wintrish but she can still talk. All other Wintrish are mute - they are The Grey Ones. Penn and Seraphine wear knot bracelets. These cannot be destroyed or removed. Penn is now training in Quintessence or spell making because she has been banished from the palace. 

Things to fear - the Panthera - a great beast that sleeps at the foot of the throne. This creature is kept asleep using Marvellance. The lava river. 

Non Human Characters - the Clock Immemorial. It is given to strange pronouncements that oddly might be true. A dragon who is afraid, desperately afraid of unicorns. Bestials - a half and half creature such as half Bloodhound and half Vampire Bat. Implings - small creatures with webbed feet, bat-like ears and shrill voices. The Huggle Beast named Ned. He is a true friend. 

Eslit -  the ruling council of Ayrlia. There are thirteen members and each belong to one of the Talismanic Guilds - weapons, treasure, lore and art. 

This is a new children's book by Australian author Melanie LaBrooy and it will be published by UQP tomorrow. Do you like the cover?  I'm not so sure this cover will entice young readers to pick up this book but I do hope I am wrong. With over 400 pages The Wintrish Girl is a long book but it is a rewarding one. I enjoyed the world building, the small touches of humour, the heroism of Penn and the loyalty of her new friends Juniper and Arthur. This book has been created by someone with an enormous imagination. 

The Wintrish Girl will be enjoyed by fans of Nevermoor - The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend along with these:

The Trials of Morrigan Crow

The Wild Magic Trilogy

The Girl who Drank the Moon

Prisoner of Ice and Snow

Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy

Yesterday Crumb and the Storm in a Teacup by Andy Sagar

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a witch in possession of 

great magic must be in want of an apprentice."

When we first meet little Yesterday she is held in a cage in a circus where she is exhibited as a curiosity. Why is the child a curiosity? She was found as a baby outside the circus but that's not why. It is all about her strange appearance. She has ginger or pumpkin coloured hair, and pale silver skin. Yes that is curious but there's more. Yesterday has very strange ears. They look like the ears of a fox - pointed, reddish-brown and tipped with black. In the circus she has been named 'The Amazing Fox Girl' but in truth the cruel circus owners have no idea just how amazing she really is.

We are only up to page 6 in this story but I am sure you are bursting with questions. Who left this child at the circus? Why? Will she escape? What does her name mean? And how is she connected with the witch I mentioned in the quote above?

So Yesterday needs to be rescued. She needs to discover her talents and her heritage. Luckily Miss Dumpling, witch and tea shop owner, has found her. Hold on tea shop? Yes the Dimmerly End Teashop, established in 1756 where magic is priceless. If you have seen or read Howl's Moving Castle it will help you to imagine this marvellous teashop which can move from place to place. In this teashop magic is dispensed through cakes and tea - absolutely delicious cakes and wonderful, magical teas. 

Of course we need tension to give the story momentum. Just as she escapes from the circus, helped by the crow Madrigal, she meets an evil man named Mr Weep. When he asks her what is her heart's desire she cannot resist but by doing so she signs a deadly contract which will be enforced in exactly one month. 

Publisher blurb: Yesterday Crumb is no ordinary girl. She was born with fox ears that have cursed her to a lonely life working in the circus and her origins are a complete mystery. But she is about to escape into the adventure of a lifetime when she learns that she's a strangeling who's lost her magic. Taken in by Miss Dumpling the flamboyant Tea Witch, Yesterday is introduced to a magical, walking teashop filled with fantastical customers, a flying teapot turtle called Pascal and powerful spells in every teacup! Yesterday starts to rediscover her magic and to feel a sense of belonging. But a mysterious figure of darkness is working hard to ensure her new life comes crashing down - and it all starts with a deadly shard of ice in Yesterday's heart...

Yesterday Crumb will be published in March 2022 (Orion). I really enjoyed Yesterday Crumb and I read the whole book in one sitting (delicious). I recommend it for readers aged 10+ but I wonder will the cover appeal to them?  It does not appeal to me which is the main reason I gave this book four and not five stars (sorry to the designer of the cover). Huge thanks to Beachside Bookshop for my advance reader copy. If my description above has enticed you to read this book please don't let the cover dissuade you. This is a debut novel for UK author Andy Sagar. There are two more books planned for this series. Astute readers will also enjoy the fun cross references in this book to famous classics such as Pride and Prejudice (see my quote above) and William Shakespeare. 

I was delighted to also be gifted a special tea bag with the advance copy of this book.  In the UK reviewers were given three specially-made teabags based on spells in the book that you can drink when the characters brew them! (and) A very festive letter written by Andy!

Companion reads:

A Tangle of Knots

The Courage of Cat Campbell

The Power of Poppy Pendle

Bliss

Madame Pamplemousse and her incredible edibles

Dog on a Broomstick by Jan Page illustrated by Nick Price

Publisher blurb: "The countdown has started for the Grand Spell Contest and the Witch's cat has run off to be a cat-food tester! Then the Dog appears on her doorstep. He can't scratch, but he can dig big holes. He can't hiss and spit, but he can growl, dribble and cover everything is muddy pawprints. Will the Witch let the Dog help her at the Grand Spell Contest? And most importantly, can they both fit on her broomstick?"

Dog fans will love this easy, funny little illustrated chapter book. Dog's determination to be the perfect companion for the Witch reminded me of A Pet for Mrs Arbuckle. The crazy spells in the story reminded me of The Boy with two Shadows and The witch in the Cherry Tree both by Margaret Mahy.

I have discovered Jan Page wrote a sequel to Dog on a Broomstick - Dognapped!  I need to keep my eye out for a copy next time I go to a used book sale.

I was talking with a colleague who is new to the role in a school library. At the beginning of the year with Grade Two I like to introduce various easy chapter series such as Aussie Nibbles; Aussie Bites; Sprinters; Corgi Pups; Colour Puffins; and Solo stories.

This little gem if from the Corgi Pups series. It is out of print but you are sure to find some school libraries have copies of books from the Corgi Pups series.

Here are some other Corgi Pup titles:

Happy Mouse Day

Corgi Pups were first published around 1997. In 2013 some of the titles were reissued as Colour First Readers:

Nick Price is the illustrator of another series that I really adore - perfect to read aloud. There are six books in the Tumtum and Nutmeg series.  They are out of print but are sure to be found in most school library collections:

Her Perilous Mansion by Sean Williams

Almanac (I love that name) receives a letter inviting him to take up a job in a grand house as an apprentice second footman. Having spent his whole life living in an orphanage this sounds like a dream come true but his arrival is very odd.  There is no one to greet him and stepping across the threshold of the house is very disturbing. His feet fly out from under him and pain shoots through him. He recovers quite quickly but still no one appears. Instead he finds a letter instructing him to put on his uniform and expect the arrival of another new staff member. Next to arrive is Etta. She comes from a huge family and as the youngest child of twelve she has felt unwanted her whole life. Just like Almanac, Etta is also 'attacked' as she crosses the threshold of this mysterious house.

What is going on here? Almanac and Etta seem to be the only servants. There are voices of others in the house but they cannot be seen in person - are they ghosts? Right from the start is is clear Almanac and Etta have different talents and that they will need to work together and use their talents to solve the mystery of the house starting with its name which Etta thinks is Spoilnieu Manors while Almanac is certain the sign said Sir Palemoon's Ruin.

Now onto those talents.  Etta knows all about magic and the way it is sometimes hidden in libraries. Searching for and then searching in the library of this strange mansion becomes Etta's task. Meanwhile Almanac has a talent for organisation. He is skilled at putting things in order and the basement of contains years of mess and muck that need clearing and sorting.

Etta is sure there is a spell on the house. The ghosts - Ugo the chimney sweep and Olive who lives in the boiler room can communicate with Almanac and Etta but they have to follow certain rules. While they cannot lie they are also unable to answer urgent questions about the house itself which is surely under a powerful spell and more importantly they are not able to talk about the way Almanac and Etta can escape.

Every so often I am able to start a book like Her Perilous Mansion and find myself enjoying it so much that I finish the whole book in just over one day. Huge thanks to Beachside Bookshop for my advance reader copy. Her Perilous Mansion will be published in May, 2020. I think it will appeal to readers aged 10+.

One strength of this fantasy comes from the beautifully drawn main characters. Sean Williams tells his reader just enough background details so that it is easy to understand why and how Etta and Almanac react to their strange situation and cope with their own differences of upbringing and temperament. I especially loved Almanac. There is a great scene where Etta and Almanac are fighting over their theories about the spell. Etta flings water from a full glass all over Almanac. His reaction is to laugh. What a brilliant way to diffuse the tension of this moment.

The other big character in this book is the house itself. It is so well described that I felt able to see every grand room and enjoy every hot chocolate in the warm kitchen.

I am going to make a huge (early) prediction that this book will be listed as CBCA Notable title in 2021.

I would follow this book with these:

Escape from Mr Lemoncello's Library

Floors by Patrick Carman