Elementary Secondary Higher Ed Common Reads
0 0
Download high-resolution image Look inside

The Witching Hour

Author Jennifer Harris
Illustrated by Adelina Lirius
Look inside
Hardcover
$18.99 US
Tundra Book Group | Tundra Books
8.68"W x 11.29"H x 0.4"D  
On sale Jun 24, 2025 | 32 Pages | 9781774884409
Preschool - 2
Add to cart Add to list Exam Copies

See Additional Formats
A family of witches desperately tries to entertain a cranky baby in this delightful picture book for fans of Little Witch Hazel and The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt.

In the witching hour between dinner and bedtime, anything can happen: laughter, tears, fun screaming, not-fun screaming . . . parents, siblings, pets and neighbors are all familiar with this dreaded time of day.

What happens when that cranky baby is part of a family of witches?

Turns out, it's pretty much the same, except sometimes the toys levitate and the soothing songs sound a little different . . .

The Witching Hour is a spare, slyly funny and deeply familiar slice-of-life story featuring a fussy little witch and their increasingly desperate family.
JENNIFER HARRIS is the author of three picture books, including When You Were New, illustrated by Lenny Wen, and She Stitched the Stars, illustrated by Louise Pigott. Her book The Keeper of Stars, illustrated by Dorothy Leung, is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection. Jennifer lives in a little storybook house with her husband and children in Waterloo, Ontario. View titles by Jennifer Harris
Adelina Lirius is an illustrator based in Stockholm, Sweden. She loves painting imaginary scenes, portraying nature, and depicting the different cultures she grew up with. Adelina is the illustrator of a picture book adaptation of The Secret Garden; The Fort by Laura Perdew; and I, Too, Am Mozart by Audrey Ades, which received a starred review from School Library Journal. View titles by Adelina Lirius
"Each scene looks awash with magic, with detailed strokes created on vibrant backgrounds. Together, the art and the delightfully alliterative text result in a tale that’s both mystical and intimate." —Kirkus Reviews

"Jennifer Harris and Adelina Lirius have captured the [witching hour] phenomenon so perfectly in their new picture book that you and your children will be under their spell. . . . Lirius’s fabulous pictures evoke an entire universe where the fantastic and the familiar are effortlessly blended. Earth colors predominate and the domestic interiors are as welcoming as those in Dutch still paintings. . . . For readers, this home of friendly spider webs, baskets of knitting yarn, and a quaint wood stove, seems uncannily real. For the duration of the story, you will be living among friends, and the supernatural is just, natural." —Imaginary Elevators

"[A] very sweet story about family coming together to help the youngest settle down. . . . Surprisingly, Jennifer Harris never makes the story ridiculous or uproariously funny. She keeps it charming and familial and affectionate. Any parent or older sibling will understand and feel for this family at this witching hour." —CanLit for LittleCanadians

"Whimsical tones accompany the difficulties of the last hours before bedtime to form an adorable read. . . . There's a lovely sense of care and warmth as the witches go out of their way to comfort the baby. . . . Colorful illustrations make each scene inviting and keep the atmosphere light. These hold fun details, which invite readers/listeners to come back and explore each moment again on their own." —Bookworm for Kids

"I love the cleverness of this story by making the witches be the parents of a little baby experiencing the witching hour. It’s a lovely play on words and creates a wonderful story to be shared in the fall when the witches and ghouls are out in full force." —Storytime with Stephanie
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo

About

A family of witches desperately tries to entertain a cranky baby in this delightful picture book for fans of Little Witch Hazel and The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt.

In the witching hour between dinner and bedtime, anything can happen: laughter, tears, fun screaming, not-fun screaming . . . parents, siblings, pets and neighbors are all familiar with this dreaded time of day.

What happens when that cranky baby is part of a family of witches?

Turns out, it's pretty much the same, except sometimes the toys levitate and the soothing songs sound a little different . . .

The Witching Hour is a spare, slyly funny and deeply familiar slice-of-life story featuring a fussy little witch and their increasingly desperate family.

Author

JENNIFER HARRIS is the author of three picture books, including When You Were New, illustrated by Lenny Wen, and She Stitched the Stars, illustrated by Louise Pigott. Her book The Keeper of Stars, illustrated by Dorothy Leung, is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection. Jennifer lives in a little storybook house with her husband and children in Waterloo, Ontario. View titles by Jennifer Harris
Adelina Lirius is an illustrator based in Stockholm, Sweden. She loves painting imaginary scenes, portraying nature, and depicting the different cultures she grew up with. Adelina is the illustrator of a picture book adaptation of The Secret Garden; The Fort by Laura Perdew; and I, Too, Am Mozart by Audrey Ades, which received a starred review from School Library Journal. View titles by Adelina Lirius

Praise

"Each scene looks awash with magic, with detailed strokes created on vibrant backgrounds. Together, the art and the delightfully alliterative text result in a tale that’s both mystical and intimate." —Kirkus Reviews

"Jennifer Harris and Adelina Lirius have captured the [witching hour] phenomenon so perfectly in their new picture book that you and your children will be under their spell. . . . Lirius’s fabulous pictures evoke an entire universe where the fantastic and the familiar are effortlessly blended. Earth colors predominate and the domestic interiors are as welcoming as those in Dutch still paintings. . . . For readers, this home of friendly spider webs, baskets of knitting yarn, and a quaint wood stove, seems uncannily real. For the duration of the story, you will be living among friends, and the supernatural is just, natural." —Imaginary Elevators

"[A] very sweet story about family coming together to help the youngest settle down. . . . Surprisingly, Jennifer Harris never makes the story ridiculous or uproariously funny. She keeps it charming and familial and affectionate. Any parent or older sibling will understand and feel for this family at this witching hour." —CanLit for LittleCanadians

"Whimsical tones accompany the difficulties of the last hours before bedtime to form an adorable read. . . . There's a lovely sense of care and warmth as the witches go out of their way to comfort the baby. . . . Colorful illustrations make each scene inviting and keep the atmosphere light. These hold fun details, which invite readers/listeners to come back and explore each moment again on their own." —Bookworm for Kids

"I love the cleverness of this story by making the witches be the parents of a little baby experiencing the witching hour. It’s a lovely play on words and creates a wonderful story to be shared in the fall when the witches and ghouls are out in full force." —Storytime with Stephanie

Photos

additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo

Additional formats

Other Books by this Author

Related Articles

English Language Arts Social Studies & History

Books for Hispanic & Latine Heritage Month

This Hispanic & Latine Heritage Month (and beyond!), we’re celebrating authors, creators, and illustrators from the Hispanic and Latine community. Join us in uplifting their voices and stories by bringing them into your classroom. Find a full collection of Elementary School titles here.

Read more

Books for Hispanic & Latine Heritage Month

English Language Arts Social Studies & History

Penguin Random House Elementary Education

© 2025 Penguin Random House

Back to Top
0
    • 0
    Wish List (0)