Common Sense Media Review
By Mandie Caroll
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Magical tale of lonely girl, witch is an absolute stunner.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Mourning her older sister Franca's recent independence, middle sister Carmela sets out to play the Walk Until You Can't Walk Any More game, which leads her to THE WITCH IN THE TOWER, who's waiting just for her. After a bath of "toad essence and honey" (to wash away disdain) and swan bone (to ease resentment), they brew a potion together in the witch's kitchen, where Carmela somehow knows her way around. After confessing her troubles to the kindly witch, they travel up the tower, the witch teaching Carmela and unveiling wonders all along as "tiny doors" open in the girl's mind. All of it is strangely familiar, as if she belonged there. Once the girl discovers her powers, she lights a bonfire and says, "Let the outcasts come ... the lonely, the lost, and the different." A wild gathering of witches, harpies, mermaids, specters, and fairies ensues, and Carmela is embraced as one of them. When the party ends at dawn, will Carmela return to her sisters? Will they notice she's happier and stronger?
Is It Any Good?
This long-form fairy tale sequel is absolute picture book perfection. There's no second book syndrome here, and no neglected middle child, either, as middle sister Carmela gets her enchanting witchy due. Júlia Sardà's digitally enhanced illustrations are luminous—endlessly immersive and full of magic and wonder, perfectly capturing Carmela's journey of self-discovery and found family. Even the text arrangements on each page beguile, with shortened lines of text staggered like steps to emphasize exhaustion, and blocks of text sometimes bordered by stylish flora and mythical fauna and other times being crowded out by lusciously detailed spreads or obediently running across the bottom to showcase the pictures above.
The unfolding marvels on each floor of the tower mirror Carmela's realization that she can bear the sadness of big life changes, embrace her weirdness, and find community with other "outcasts." And the joyfully chaotic gathering of magical creatures that Carmela hosts will happily bring to mind the wild rumpus of Where the Wild Things Are. As this coming-of-age story comes to a close, any reader who's ever felt on the outside of things will feel soothed and seen. Every kid deserves to read this stunning book.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the art in The Witch in the Tower. Would you say that more of the story happens in the illustrations, or in the words? What are some of your favorite pictures? Why?
Why is Carmela so sad about Franca? Have you ever had a friend or sibling change in ways that made you upset? How did the witch help Carmela deal with this situation?
Carmela expresses her gratitude to the witch for helping her feel better and for introducing her into the sisterhood of witches. Who's helped you feel better when you were sad? What have they done that you're grateful for?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Julia Sarda
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Fantasy ( Fairy Tales , Magic ) , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Empathy , Gratitude
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Candlewick
- Publication date : September 2, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 5 - 9
- Number of pages : 64
- Available on : Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : October 27, 2025
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