The Knitting Witch: A Spellbinding Tale of Magic and Mischief

A delightfully eerie fairy tale about magic, mischief, and finding your way back home, The Knitting Witch invites readers into an enchanting story that’s equal parts spooky and heartwarming.

"Extreme brattiness meets extreme witchiness in this merrily plotted tale."—Kirkus Reviews

"A thoroughly enjoyable throwback that gives readers a playful push towards gratitude."—Booklist

Ivy Lou has everything a child could want—except friends. When a peculiar witch appears and uses enchanted knitting needles to craft magical playmates, Ivy Lou thinks her luck has changed. But this witch has plans of her own. Soon, Ivy Lou’s elegant house is replaced by a horrid little hut, and she’s being groomed to become a witch’s child herself.

Potions, spells and broomsticks fill Ivy Lou’s days, but even her most fearsome tantrums fail to impress the witch. As midnight approaches, Ivy Lou must race to unravel the witch’s dark magic with only a pair of knitting needles—and her wits—to guide her.

Here’s what makes The Knitting Witch unforgettable:

• Spellbinding Storytelling: A whimsical, slightly spooky tale that explores childhood bravery, gratitude, and cleverness.
• Rich Illustrations: Gorgeous full-color art on 21 pages, plus partial and spot illustrations, vividly bring Ivy Lou’s magical world to life.
• A Modern Classic: Written by Norma Kassirer, beloved author of Magic Elizabeth, whose timeless style has captivated generations.
• Perfect for Fall & Halloween: Witches, magic, and a dash of mischief make this an ideal pick for the season and a standout gift.

A feast of magic, humor, and adventure, The Knitting Witch is perfect for young readers ready to be whisked into a world where anything can happen—especially if you have a little yarn and a lot of heart.

Norma Kassirer, writer and artist, became best known for her middle-grade children’s classic Magic Elizabeth, first published in 1966 and featured in Eden Ross Lipson’s New York Times Parent’s Guide to the Best Books for Children. Another middle-grade novel, The Doll Snatchers, was published in 1969. In addition, Norma was the author of numerous books and short stories for adults. Norma’s daughter Sue Kassirer was thrilled to recently rediscover the original manuscript for The Knitting Witch, a story she had loved as a child. Wanting to share it with today’s children, Sue proceeded to edit and gently update the story, drawing on her many years of experience as a children’s book editor at Simon & Schuster, The Viking Press, Random House, and Harper Collins.

Mark Richardson is a freelance illustrator working primarily in watercolor and ink. His illustrations mostly focus on picturing fictional subjects within children’s literature. He also draws inspiration from the natural world and is engaged in an ongoing series of portraits of the birds that pass through his own property in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, where he maintains a studio and shares a home and garden with his wife, Barbara. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Mark enjoys painting large landscapes that reflect upon his travels. He is also a bookbinder. Many of his artworks find their way into the hand-bound books that he produces in limited quantities from his studio.