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Witchycakes #1
Witchycakes #1: Sweet Magic
Welcome to the most magical bakery -- Witchycakes! Little Blue, a witch-in-training, delivers baked goods all over their town, and helps their neighbors with a touch of magic. Cozy up with this sweet chapter book with irresisitible full-color art on every page!
In a magical bakery called Witchycakes there's a young witch-to-be named Blue. Blue's Mama bakes with magic and Blue makes the deliveries! They ride their bike all over town with their basket filled with magical scones, tartes, and pies to deliver. There's always something going on in Shelville and Blue loves to help their neighbors -- especially if helping them means they get to use a little bit of magic.
Cook up some love with Blue as they use magic and problem-solving to be the best helper they can be in their whimsical little town. And there's a special magical recipe at the end of the book!
Fresh from the oven. . . another WITCHYCAKES book! Don't miss Witchycakes #2: Changing Magic
In a magical bakery called Witchycakes there's a young witch-to-be named Blue. Blue's Mama bakes with magic and Blue makes the deliveries! They ride their bike all over town with their basket filled with magical scones, tartes, and pies to deliver. There's always something going on in Shelville and Blue loves to help their neighbors -- especially if helping them means they get to use a little bit of magic.
Cook up some love with Blue as they use magic and problem-solving to be the best helper they can be in their whimsical little town. And there's a special magical recipe at the end of the book!
Fresh from the oven. . . another WITCHYCAKES book! Don't miss Witchycakes #2: Changing Magic
74 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 5, 2025
4 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
Kara LaReau
52 books100 followersKara LaReau was born and raised in Connecticut. She received her Masters in Fine Arts in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts and later worked as an editor at Candlewick Press and at Scholastic Press. Among other celebrated titles, she edited Kate DiCamillo’s Because of Winn-Dixie, The Tale of Despereaux, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, and the Mercy Watson series. She is the author of picture books such as UGLY FISH, illustrated by Scott Magoon, Baby Clown, illustrated by Matthew Cordell, and Goodnight Little Monsters, illustrated by Brian Won; chapter book series Witchycakes, illustrated by Ariane Moreira and The Infamous Ratsos, illustrated by Matt Myers; and middle-grade trilogies The ZomBert Chronicles, illustrated by Ryan Andrews, and The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters, illustrated by Jen Hill. Kara lives in Providence, Rhode Island with her husband and daughter and their cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
September 4, 2025
This is grate for young readers!
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August 3, 2025Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy
Witchycakes #1: Sweet Magic by Kara LaReau is a cozy fantasy highly illustrated children's book. Blue is a young witch still learning the ropes from their mother. As they work around town making deliveries and perfecting helping magic, Blue helps their community in small but meaningful ways.
There is a lot of casual representation in the book. Blue uses they/them pronouns and lives in a single-parent household and one of the shops in town is run by a gay couple of color with a son. There's also a woman wearing a hijab and a variety of body types and skin tones. Every character is treated as a person with no questioning of why someone would wear a hijab or why there are Queer people or why Blue’s mother is a single mother. It's all very normalized.
Community and helpfulness are major themes. Blue helps Jib find his lost hamster and surprises Mr. Haddock by decorating his shop after his beloved dog dies and he's feeling his grief. She also helps the Sandersons prepare lunch and clean up. Blue sometimes makes mistakes when they use their magic, but Blue always finds a way to make up for it and to assist in another way.
The art is very cozy with lots of soft shapes and colors. Many pages have little details of seashells or bread as Blue and their mother run a magic bakery by the seashore. There are only a few pages that focus more on backgrounds, but they also retain the same soft shapes and colors. There's also what appears to me to be an Easter egg of Kiki and the grandmother from Kiki’s Delivery Service.
I would recommend this to young readers getting into chapter books and educators and guardians looking for books for a younger audience with casual representation
Witchycakes #1: Sweet Magic by Kara LaReau is a cozy fantasy highly illustrated children's book. Blue is a young witch still learning the ropes from their mother. As they work around town making deliveries and perfecting helping magic, Blue helps their community in small but meaningful ways.
There is a lot of casual representation in the book. Blue uses they/them pronouns and lives in a single-parent household and one of the shops in town is run by a gay couple of color with a son. There's also a woman wearing a hijab and a variety of body types and skin tones. Every character is treated as a person with no questioning of why someone would wear a hijab or why there are Queer people or why Blue’s mother is a single mother. It's all very normalized.
Community and helpfulness are major themes. Blue helps Jib find his lost hamster and surprises Mr. Haddock by decorating his shop after his beloved dog dies and he's feeling his grief. She also helps the Sandersons prepare lunch and clean up. Blue sometimes makes mistakes when they use their magic, but Blue always finds a way to make up for it and to assist in another way.
The art is very cozy with lots of soft shapes and colors. Many pages have little details of seashells or bread as Blue and their mother run a magic bakery by the seashore. There are only a few pages that focus more on backgrounds, but they also retain the same soft shapes and colors. There's also what appears to me to be an Easter egg of Kiki and the grandmother from Kiki’s Delivery Service.
I would recommend this to young readers getting into chapter books and educators and guardians looking for books for a younger audience with casual representation
January 18, 2025
Witchycakes #1: Sweet Magic written by Kara LaReau and illustrated by Ariane Moreira is a children's picture book for kids between the ages of six and nine with an expected publication date of August 5, 2025. The story is about a magical bakery and a kid named Blue who delivers the baked goods to businesses around town, and they like to help people out. What adventures does Blue help out with?
This is a super cute picture book about a child named Blue that uses the pronouns of they/their. They like to help out people by practicing magic that they've learned. When the magic doesn't always go according to plan, Blue must find other ways to help out.
Children will enjoy this heartwarming story. A recipe is included at the end of the book, and parents can help their kids make the dessert. It's a perfect way for parents to have a discussion about something that may not have gone their children's way and other ways to fix it.
There were times that I did find some of the transitions a little clunky, but other than that, I found it to be an endearing and fun story. Additionally , the illustrations are beautiful. Four out of five stars.
This is a super cute picture book about a child named Blue that uses the pronouns of they/their. They like to help out people by practicing magic that they've learned. When the magic doesn't always go according to plan, Blue must find other ways to help out.
Children will enjoy this heartwarming story. A recipe is included at the end of the book, and parents can help their kids make the dessert. It's a perfect way for parents to have a discussion about something that may not have gone their children's way and other ways to fix it.
There were times that I did find some of the transitions a little clunky, but other than that, I found it to be an endearing and fun story. Additionally , the illustrations are beautiful. Four out of five stars.
September 8, 2025
ABSOLUTELY ADORED THIS. IT WAS JUST DELICIOUS. A nonbinary witch lives with their single mom in a cutesy seaside town where they run the bakery. They use their magic for good and to help everyone in town and even discover a yummy new treat in the process.
A single mom! Nonbinary! Witches! Same sex marriage! Grief! It literally has it all and it’s just SO SWEET. Gimme 15 more.
A single mom! Nonbinary! Witches! Same sex marriage! Grief! It literally has it all and it’s just SO SWEET. Gimme 15 more.
April 17, 2025
This is a really cute book!
I loved all the magic and kindness Blue had towards the community.
Definitely a must read!
This is my honest review
I loved all the magic and kindness Blue had towards the community.
Definitely a must read!
This is my honest review
September 11, 2025
જ⁀➴ 4 stars 🌟
Witchycakes: Sweet Magic is such a heartwarming start to a cute witchy series about a witch in training, Blue, who finds joy in delivering tasty baked goods while also helping their neighbors to solve problems, sometimes involving a little bit of magic! If you need a gentle, magical witch series set in the coziest seaside town, the Witchycakes chapter book series is guaranteed to be a quick, but comforting read!🥐💜🌊
THIS WAS SO CUTE, I WILL BE READING THE REST OF THIS SERIES WHEN I NEED A SWEET ESCAPE AND COZY MAGIC, SO ADORABLE!!!
Blue is a non-binary witch who lives with their mother (and two familiars) in the town of Shellville, a quiet community-knit town by the sea. They are not strangers to using magic to prepare all kinds of delicious food for the town - chowder potpies, sandy-witch bread, raspberry sandbars, beach plum tarts- Blue is tasked with deliveries, getting the pastries to their neighbors.
However, things don't exactly go as planned when a missing guinea pig at Spinnakers' Cafe to grief-stricken grocery store clerk, Blue uses their magic and wits to help the town.
Blue learns to find new solutions and help those in need, which was a sweet message woven throughout the story.
If you love talking familiars, Blue's seagull Gully is the helpful magical friend there to help no matter the task. Blue's mother Mama Moon has a cat named Pearl, although not present in the story too much, adds a bit of snark.
The themes behind this first book involve Blue both honing in their building magic skills and their own imagination to finds solutions, even when things aren't as planned, a heartfelt + inspiring message!
The setting of Shellville has that evident thread of community throughout the story and I appreciated how LaReau explored various parts within town to learn more about Blue's neighbors. From inn owners to a local family, the characters paint the setting more vibrantly, which gave all the cozy ambience.
Ariane Moreira's artwork was simply divine! the pastel, spring color palette added a softness to the already cozy story, her character designs and backdrops, beach town ambiance, had a gentleness to them reminding me of k. o'neills work - each setting added a vibrance to the beach town.
I also loved the queer rep. which I've never seen in a chapter book like this before - not only is the lead nonbinary (using they/them in the text), but there's also a gay couple and overall diversity to the background characters.
As a fan of witchy stories, this one checked so many boxes. However a downside is the lack of clarity of the magic. the magic system wasn't exactly defined and seemed to meander in its ruling - Blue can use it to levitate items, has various skills like "finding magic" "helping magic" etc but didn't seem entirely cohesive. Overall though, I thought this book was so precious, not only was I enchanted by the soft art, but the element of community too!! Blue and Gully were so cute and the story leaves you wondering at where next they'll be using their magic next to help Shellville. will be reading this to my niece, it was so adorable 🥹✨
Witchycakes enthrall's readers with the charming cover to tell a gentle story about finding creative solutions and helping one's community! A cozy, sweet start to a chapter book series 🍰🪄💜
Witchycakes: Sweet Magic is such a heartwarming start to a cute witchy series about a witch in training, Blue, who finds joy in delivering tasty baked goods while also helping their neighbors to solve problems, sometimes involving a little bit of magic! If you need a gentle, magical witch series set in the coziest seaside town, the Witchycakes chapter book series is guaranteed to be a quick, but comforting read!🥐💜🌊
THIS WAS SO CUTE, I WILL BE READING THE REST OF THIS SERIES WHEN I NEED A SWEET ESCAPE AND COZY MAGIC, SO ADORABLE!!!
Blue is a non-binary witch who lives with their mother (and two familiars) in the town of Shellville, a quiet community-knit town by the sea. They are not strangers to using magic to prepare all kinds of delicious food for the town - chowder potpies, sandy-witch bread, raspberry sandbars, beach plum tarts- Blue is tasked with deliveries, getting the pastries to their neighbors.
However, things don't exactly go as planned when a missing guinea pig at Spinnakers' Cafe to grief-stricken grocery store clerk, Blue uses their magic and wits to help the town.
Blue learns to find new solutions and help those in need, which was a sweet message woven throughout the story.
If you love talking familiars, Blue's seagull Gully is the helpful magical friend there to help no matter the task. Blue's mother Mama Moon has a cat named Pearl, although not present in the story too much, adds a bit of snark.
The themes behind this first book involve Blue both honing in their building magic skills and their own imagination to finds solutions, even when things aren't as planned, a heartfelt + inspiring message!
The setting of Shellville has that evident thread of community throughout the story and I appreciated how LaReau explored various parts within town to learn more about Blue's neighbors. From inn owners to a local family, the characters paint the setting more vibrantly, which gave all the cozy ambience.
Ariane Moreira's artwork was simply divine! the pastel, spring color palette added a softness to the already cozy story, her character designs and backdrops, beach town ambiance, had a gentleness to them reminding me of k. o'neills work - each setting added a vibrance to the beach town.
I also loved the queer rep. which I've never seen in a chapter book like this before - not only is the lead nonbinary (using they/them in the text), but there's also a gay couple and overall diversity to the background characters.
As a fan of witchy stories, this one checked so many boxes. However a downside is the lack of clarity of the magic. the magic system wasn't exactly defined and seemed to meander in its ruling - Blue can use it to levitate items, has various skills like "finding magic" "helping magic" etc but didn't seem entirely cohesive. Overall though, I thought this book was so precious, not only was I enchanted by the soft art, but the element of community too!! Blue and Gully were so cute and the story leaves you wondering at where next they'll be using their magic next to help Shellville. will be reading this to my niece, it was so adorable 🥹✨
Witchycakes enthrall's readers with the charming cover to tell a gentle story about finding creative solutions and helping one's community! A cozy, sweet start to a chapter book series 🍰🪄💜
August 24, 2025
There’s a certain kind of book that feels like it was baked just for you—warm, sweet, and sprinkled with a little bit of magic. Witchycakes: Sweet Magic is exactly that kind of treat. A huge thank you to RandomHouse Kids for sending me the paperback copy—it’s been a joy to read, and I’m already counting down the days until Book #2!
In the heart of Shelville, nestled inside the coziest magical bakery you can imagine, lives Blue—a witch-in-training with a heart as big as their delivery basket. While Mama conjures up enchanted scones and pies, Blue pedals around town helping neighbors with kindness, cleverness, and a dash of spellwork. Whether it’s cheering someone up or solving a quirky problem, Blue’s adventures are full of warmth and whimsy.
Ariane Moreira’s illustrations are pure delight—full-color, expressive, and bursting with charm on every page. It’s the kind of book that begs to be read aloud, curled up on the couch with your little one, voices changing for each character and giggles bubbling up with every magical mishap.
And here’s the cherry on top: at the end of the book, there’s a real recipe you can make with your child! We gave it a go in our kitchen, and let’s just say the flour flew, the laughter echoed, and the result was a sweet memory we’ll treasure. It’s a brilliant way to bring the story to life beyond the page.
Fans of the Just Add Magic TV series will absolutely adore this book. It has that same cozy, spellbinding vibe—where food and magic intertwine, and every recipe holds a little secret. If your household loves magical mischief and heartfelt problem-solving, Witchycakes will be a hit.
This book reminded me why I love children’s literature—it’s not just about the story, but the moments it creates. So if you’re looking for a read that’s equal parts heartwarming and enchanting, Witchycakes: Sweet Magic is the perfect pick. Just be warned: you might find yourself craving pie and planning your next baking adventure. And really, isn’t that the sweetest kind of spell?
In the heart of Shelville, nestled inside the coziest magical bakery you can imagine, lives Blue—a witch-in-training with a heart as big as their delivery basket. While Mama conjures up enchanted scones and pies, Blue pedals around town helping neighbors with kindness, cleverness, and a dash of spellwork. Whether it’s cheering someone up or solving a quirky problem, Blue’s adventures are full of warmth and whimsy.
Ariane Moreira’s illustrations are pure delight—full-color, expressive, and bursting with charm on every page. It’s the kind of book that begs to be read aloud, curled up on the couch with your little one, voices changing for each character and giggles bubbling up with every magical mishap.
And here’s the cherry on top: at the end of the book, there’s a real recipe you can make with your child! We gave it a go in our kitchen, and let’s just say the flour flew, the laughter echoed, and the result was a sweet memory we’ll treasure. It’s a brilliant way to bring the story to life beyond the page.
Fans of the Just Add Magic TV series will absolutely adore this book. It has that same cozy, spellbinding vibe—where food and magic intertwine, and every recipe holds a little secret. If your household loves magical mischief and heartfelt problem-solving, Witchycakes will be a hit.
This book reminded me why I love children’s literature—it’s not just about the story, but the moments it creates. So if you’re looking for a read that’s equal parts heartwarming and enchanting, Witchycakes: Sweet Magic is the perfect pick. Just be warned: you might find yourself craving pie and planning your next baking adventure. And really, isn’t that the sweetest kind of spell?
June 30, 2025
Thank you Netgally for this ARC book.
This is a really sweet book. I loved the artwork and the overall vibe is just wonderful You immediately get a sense of how close Blue's community is and how caring and thoughtful Blue is as they learn more about magic. I really enjoyed the fact that while Blue did use magic to help people the true solution was always through cleverness and caring. The book is also a great age appropriate introduction to what may be new topics for some readers. Blue uses they/them pronouns, their friend has two dads that go by Mr. First name to avoid the confusion of there being two Mr. Last names, and Blue helps one of their neighbors deal with the grief of losing their pet and best friend. These topics are brought up in ways that are very simple and straight forward but may open the door for further discussion with a trusted adult or simply be used to introduce these concepts if they haven't already come up in the readers life. The focus of the story is definitely on being a good friend and neighbor and how we can all support each other in our communities. The witchy vibes and touches of magic bring so much whimsy to the story and artwork and the bakery setting further adds to this as well as setting up the delivery plot line giving Blue the opportunity to help so many people in one day. I also love that the book ends with a simple recipe giving readers a chance to make their own delicious bit of magic in the kitchen.
This is a really sweet book. I loved the artwork and the overall vibe is just wonderful You immediately get a sense of how close Blue's community is and how caring and thoughtful Blue is as they learn more about magic. I really enjoyed the fact that while Blue did use magic to help people the true solution was always through cleverness and caring. The book is also a great age appropriate introduction to what may be new topics for some readers. Blue uses they/them pronouns, their friend has two dads that go by Mr. First name to avoid the confusion of there being two Mr. Last names, and Blue helps one of their neighbors deal with the grief of losing their pet and best friend. These topics are brought up in ways that are very simple and straight forward but may open the door for further discussion with a trusted adult or simply be used to introduce these concepts if they haven't already come up in the readers life. The focus of the story is definitely on being a good friend and neighbor and how we can all support each other in our communities. The witchy vibes and touches of magic bring so much whimsy to the story and artwork and the bakery setting further adds to this as well as setting up the delivery plot line giving Blue the opportunity to help so many people in one day. I also love that the book ends with a simple recipe giving readers a chance to make their own delicious bit of magic in the kitchen.
May 8, 2025
This is definitely my favorite layout for chapter books for early readers. Each chapter gets its own theme or purpose that's all nicely wrapped up in the end. Personally, I love things that are a little witchy and think the idea that you can help people even without your magic is something that's important to talk about with young kiddos. I get a little hung up thinking about who specifically I would recommend this book to...maybe 2nd graders who enjoy books about fairies or adventures? The energy of the main character, Blue, seems very youthful and whimsical, and feel like something someone in lower elementary could read. However, some of the topics -like grief and identity- that come up feel as though they are intended for older audiences, though they're discussed very delicately and thoughtfully. It almost feels like a good book to read the summer before 4th grade (where a lot of kids make the double-digit attitude jump) as a family book club selection or one-on-one with a parent and child before bed or in an environment that is safe for conversation.
February 21, 2025
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.
Thanks for the eARC, NetGalley & Random House.
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.
Thanks for the eARC, NetGalley & Random House.
July 12, 2025
I received an electronic ARC from Random House Books for Young Readers through NetGalley.
LaReau sets up delightful characters in this new series. Readers meet Blue Moon and her mother, Mama Moon as they start a typical day. Mama baked all sorts of items that Blue needs to deliver around town. Blue is working on her magic and almost everything goes right until she moves the last baked good to the basket. Her mom reminds her she is still learning and it is often easier to simply do tasks without magic. Throughout the day, as Blue delivers the baked goods, this lesson is repeated as she first uses her spells and then discovers she can help in other ways. The author's point comes through in this whimsical story. The love and relationships show how important the people are to each other in this little town. Lower to mid-elementary level readers will enjoy the tale as well as the illustrations that bring it to life. We even get the recipe for the Beach Crumble at the end.
LaReau sets up delightful characters in this new series. Readers meet Blue Moon and her mother, Mama Moon as they start a typical day. Mama baked all sorts of items that Blue needs to deliver around town. Blue is working on her magic and almost everything goes right until she moves the last baked good to the basket. Her mom reminds her she is still learning and it is often easier to simply do tasks without magic. Throughout the day, as Blue delivers the baked goods, this lesson is repeated as she first uses her spells and then discovers she can help in other ways. The author's point comes through in this whimsical story. The love and relationships show how important the people are to each other in this little town. Lower to mid-elementary level readers will enjoy the tale as well as the illustrations that bring it to life. We even get the recipe for the Beach Crumble at the end.
March 15, 2025
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!
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!
May 29, 2025
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.
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.
July 3, 2025
I loved this one. I'm a total sucker for cozy witch vibes, and Witchycakes delivers in the sweetest way. Blue is such a kind, thoughtful character who uses magic to help others and I adored watching them grow with gentle guidance from their mom, who is just the loveliest presence.
It gave me major Kiki’s Delivery Service energy if Kiki had stayed with her family in a warm, supportive community. The town of Shelville is full of charm, and the neighborly problem-solving in each delivery makes the magic feel grounded and meaningful.
This feels just right for upper elementary readers and cozy enough for younger chapter book fans, but with enough depth to satisfy older ones too. And the recipe at the end? I’m obsessed. Bring on book two!
It gave me major Kiki’s Delivery Service energy if Kiki had stayed with her family in a warm, supportive community. The town of Shelville is full of charm, and the neighborly problem-solving in each delivery makes the magic feel grounded and meaningful.
This feels just right for upper elementary readers and cozy enough for younger chapter book fans, but with enough depth to satisfy older ones too. And the recipe at the end? I’m obsessed. Bring on book two!
January 22, 2025
I know I'm not the intended audience for this, but this was so cute, and I loved it. It's like Kiki's Delivery Service as a children's chapter book with a nonbinary protagonist, small town vibes, a cozy bakery, and magical hijinks. I think I saw a little drawing of a little girl who looked like Kiki on one of the pages, so that was fun little easter egg!
The book was so sweet and wholesome, and fun. Highly recommend this for a young reader or if you just kinda want a quick little boost of serotonin.
I want an edition of this for myself when it comes out because the artwork was so beautiful and immersive.
Thank you NetGalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The book was so sweet and wholesome, and fun. Highly recommend this for a young reader or if you just kinda want a quick little boost of serotonin.
I want an edition of this for myself when it comes out because the artwork was so beautiful and immersive.
Thank you NetGalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 5, 2025
This gave me Kiki's Delivery Service Vibes! I loved the illustrations and the little cozy beach themed town. It was a very sweet story and had a good message about how sometimes just being a good friend is a magic all on it's own. I loved the inclusivity as well, with different body types and people of all genders, identities and family dynamics. The little recipe at the back of the book was also a really cute detail to add in to the book! It truly felt like a magical cozy fantasy and I would definitely recommend this to those with young readers in their lives! It's a perfect book to read together.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy
August 24, 2025
Sweet Magic is the first book in the Witchycakes series by Kara LaReau. Blue is a child whose mother owns a magical bakery called Witchycakes. Blue practices their own magic and makes deliveries to their mother's customers. Along the way they discover that kindness and problem-solving can be just as powerful as magic. This is a super sweet book with beautiful full color illustrations provided by Ariane Moreira. It's a good choice for newly independent readers who are not quite ready for a long chapter book. This is a very gentle story with a bit of whimsical fantasy and no scary parts. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for providing a galley copy to review.
March 12, 2025
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.
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.
May 23, 2025
FROM NETGALLEY: a huge thank you to NetGalley for letting me access this title early.
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. The themes of community and empathy were woven throughout the text. A wonderful read.
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. The themes of community and empathy were woven throughout the text. A wonderful read.
December 29, 2024
OMG! Witchycakes is SO cute! This is a really fun early chapter book with gorgeous full-color illustrations on every page. The protagonist, Blue, is training to be a witch and helping out their mom at her bakery. I loved all of the fun witchy baking! This one would definitely enchant young readers, and I loved it as an adult!
Thanks to NetGalley, Kara LaReau, and Random House Children's for the chance to read and review. My opinions are my own!
Thanks to NetGalley, Kara LaReau, and Random House Children's for the chance to read and review. My opinions are my own!
January 3, 2025
I read this early reader as an e-ARC. :)
I was totally enchanted by the soft, inviting illustrations that bring Shellville to life in this new early reader series. Blue may not have perfected their magic skills yet, but they have a lot of heart and imagination, which allows them to do more than just deliver baked goods around town--they're also happy to lend a helping hand wherever it's needed. Super sweet, community-oriented--perfect for future readers of cozy fantasy.
I was totally enchanted by the soft, inviting illustrations that bring Shellville to life in this new early reader series. Blue may not have perfected their magic skills yet, but they have a lot of heart and imagination, which allows them to do more than just deliver baked goods around town--they're also happy to lend a helping hand wherever it's needed. Super sweet, community-oriented--perfect for future readers of cozy fantasy.
March 14, 2025
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!
April 21, 2025
I am in love with this series, the artwork, and the simple stories filled with life lessons, friendship, and meaning. Although it's such a short chapter book, I was surprised that each volume comes with 3 full stories filled with illustrations, characters, good deeds, and trying harder even if we're still learning and doing good.
I got the chance to read an arc, but I look forward to seeing it in color in the final version. I'm adding it to my wishlist.
I got the chance to read an arc, but I look forward to seeing it in color in the final version. I'm adding it to my wishlist.
June 16, 2025
In a magical bakery in a seaside town, lives a witch-in-training named Blue, who delivers baked goods all over town and helps their neighbors with a touch of magic. This cozy, early chapter book is full of mini-adventures, creative problem-solving, and caring friends. Not to mention the illustrations are so sweet and full of magical details that I want to go on vacation to Shellville. I’ll be recommending this book to fans of Princess in Black and Zoe and Sassafras.
July 10, 2025
Thank you to Random House Kids for the free books. These opinions are my own.
This book is incredibly sweet. It's a chapter book. Beautiful illustrations on every page keep the amount of text per chapter short. Each chapter highlights Blue's attempts to use a different type of magic. I won't spoil the ending, but it's just a lovely moral. And I really appreciated that Blue uses they/them pronouns, and one of the couples is two husbands. It's great to see such normalized LGBTQ representation as no big deal to the plot.
This book is incredibly sweet. It's a chapter book. Beautiful illustrations on every page keep the amount of text per chapter short. Each chapter highlights Blue's attempts to use a different type of magic. I won't spoil the ending, but it's just a lovely moral. And I really appreciated that Blue uses they/them pronouns, and one of the couples is two husbands. It's great to see such normalized LGBTQ representation as no big deal to the plot.
August 3, 2025
This is a 5-star for me with its magic, beach, baked goods, and kindness. And the artwork is fabulous with just enough details to set the scene without ending up distracting. Each problem Blue encounters ends up fixed in a helpful way; giving the title a double meaning. Not only does the author provide problem-solving strategies, but she also includes a yummy looking recipe as well! Every child's bookshelf should hold a copy of Witchycakes #1: Sweet Magic!
March 11, 2025
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.
May 9, 2025
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.
Thank you to Random House Books for Young Readers for the e-ARC.
Thank you to Random House Books for Young Readers for the e-ARC.
August 30, 2025
Very cute story about a young witch learning how to do spells and finding out that maybe the real magic is in finding creative ways to help others when the spells don't quite go as planned. I liked the LGBTQ+ representation. It isn't "in your face" but sort of in passing. It was fitting for the target age group.
December 19, 2024
This is such a sweet book about learning to use your strengths and trying again if something doesn't work out quite right the first time. The illustrations are adorable and I love the casual inclusivity! I can't wait to read the next one!
Thank you Edelweiss for a review copy.
Thank you Edelweiss for a review copy.
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