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Hettie Nettle's Handbook for Hedgewitches

Author Claire Barker
Ebook
Watkins Media | Moon & Bird
On sale Aug 26, 2025 | 168 Pages | 9781917194013
Grades 2-5
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Wherever there's a patch of nature, children can find the Wild Wood, and wherever there is the Wild Wood, a little hedgewitch is needed!

Hettie’s Nettle’s month-by-month guide opens the door on a hidden world—one that only children can see. Full of secrets, top tips, and funny, magical friends, this handbook is an essential guide for imaginative young guardians of nature.

• Learn each month's secret Whisper Name (January's is The Dreaming—shh!)
• Enjoy celebrity interviews with celebrities from the Wild Wood (such the Sun and Jack Frost)
• Help organize the seasonal celebrations of the Wheel of the Year (the wedding of Jack-in-the-Green and the Queen of the May at Beltane is the event of the season!)
• Have fun with the Spell of the Month (make a wish with a dandelion clock charm)
• Enjoy seasonal tales from Flittermouse (Hettie's favourite is The Hare and the Moon!)

Filled with watercolor illustrations from Hettie’s enchanted paintbox and details about the fascinating folk she meets in her daily life, this secret notebook will connect you with the magic that lives inside and around us every day.
Claire Barker is the author of the Knitbone Pepper series (Winner of The Book Factor, shortlisted for the Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Prize, shortlisted for the Fantastic Book Award) and the Picklewitch + Jack series (Winner of the Surrey Libraries Children’s Book Award 2020, the North Somerset Teachers’ Book Award 2020 in the Read Aloud Category and the Inspired Read Award 2020 in the Shorter Books Category).

"Funny, wonderfully imaginative and beautifully illustrated the Knitbone Pepper books are highly recommended." Charlotte Heathcote, The Daily Express.

Find out more at clairebarkerauthor.com and on X @clairebarker
Claire Barker View titles by Claire Barker
"An absolute gem of a book from the ever brilliant Claire Barker. Each page is exquisitely illustrated and the whole concept is a beautiful celebration of nature and our oldest stories. Hedgewitches young and old are going to LOVE it!"
– Emma Carroll, bestselling and award-winning children’s author

“Full of stories and little glowing facts about the nature around us. I loved the Flower Fairies books as a child (still do…) and this has the same fascinating sense the nature around us as a secret world inviting us in. Definitely one for children who love exploring and mixing potions…”
– Holly Webb, bestselling author of over 100 children's books

"This is an utterly beautiful and charming book full of kindness, hope, imagination and reminders that magic is all around us [...] In a world that's increasingly and alarmingly disconnected from nature, this book is a gentle signpost back to the old ways and almost lost words such as widdershins and deosil. A treasure and a joy for aspiring (and accomplished) witches."
– Michelle Harrison, Waterstones' Children's Book Prize winning author of Thirteen Treasures and many other books

"A truly enchanting and magical treasure, this special book is adorned with beautiful illustrations full of charm and detail that any reader, young or old, will adore and pore over.”
– Andy Shepherd, bestselling author of The Boy Who Grew Dragons series and The Wood Where Magic Grows

“This gorgeous book is bursting with gentle humour, heartwarming stories and cool ways to explore and celebrate the natural world. Every child (and adult!) needs this book!”
– Cathy Cassidy, bestselling author of the Chocolate Box Girls series & much more

“Full of whimsy, magic and adorable illustrations, this charming handbook for hedgewitches is sure to be a hit with the witchy, mature-loving kiddo in your life.”
– Librarian Victoria Rickmond, 5-star NetGalley Review

“An adorable book for the budding fantasy reader . . . Lighthearted and fun, this book comes highly recommended.”
– Educator Annie Brechbuhler, 5-star NetGalley review

“Whimsical and fun!”
– Bookseller Brianna Plumski, 5-star NetGalley review

“Such a charming book! I would highly recommend it to children who are interested in faeries and magic as well as pagan families who are looking for texts that speak to their practices.”
– Librarian Beau Manglass, 5-star NetGalley review

“A delightfully whimsical children’s book for little magic lovers. Well recommended.”
– Journalist Alicia Bayer, 5-star NetGalley review

"Fun, inventive and perfect to read through cover to cover . . . a lovely book that will be much treasured."
– Sir Michael Morpurgo
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About

Wherever there's a patch of nature, children can find the Wild Wood, and wherever there is the Wild Wood, a little hedgewitch is needed!

Hettie’s Nettle’s month-by-month guide opens the door on a hidden world—one that only children can see. Full of secrets, top tips, and funny, magical friends, this handbook is an essential guide for imaginative young guardians of nature.

• Learn each month's secret Whisper Name (January's is The Dreaming—shh!)
• Enjoy celebrity interviews with celebrities from the Wild Wood (such the Sun and Jack Frost)
• Help organize the seasonal celebrations of the Wheel of the Year (the wedding of Jack-in-the-Green and the Queen of the May at Beltane is the event of the season!)
• Have fun with the Spell of the Month (make a wish with a dandelion clock charm)
• Enjoy seasonal tales from Flittermouse (Hettie's favourite is The Hare and the Moon!)

Filled with watercolor illustrations from Hettie’s enchanted paintbox and details about the fascinating folk she meets in her daily life, this secret notebook will connect you with the magic that lives inside and around us every day.

Author

Claire Barker is the author of the Knitbone Pepper series (Winner of The Book Factor, shortlisted for the Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Prize, shortlisted for the Fantastic Book Award) and the Picklewitch + Jack series (Winner of the Surrey Libraries Children’s Book Award 2020, the North Somerset Teachers’ Book Award 2020 in the Read Aloud Category and the Inspired Read Award 2020 in the Shorter Books Category).

"Funny, wonderfully imaginative and beautifully illustrated the Knitbone Pepper books are highly recommended." Charlotte Heathcote, The Daily Express.

Find out more at clairebarkerauthor.com and on X @clairebarker
Claire Barker View titles by Claire Barker

Praise

"An absolute gem of a book from the ever brilliant Claire Barker. Each page is exquisitely illustrated and the whole concept is a beautiful celebration of nature and our oldest stories. Hedgewitches young and old are going to LOVE it!"
– Emma Carroll, bestselling and award-winning children’s author

“Full of stories and little glowing facts about the nature around us. I loved the Flower Fairies books as a child (still do…) and this has the same fascinating sense the nature around us as a secret world inviting us in. Definitely one for children who love exploring and mixing potions…”
– Holly Webb, bestselling author of over 100 children's books

"This is an utterly beautiful and charming book full of kindness, hope, imagination and reminders that magic is all around us [...] In a world that's increasingly and alarmingly disconnected from nature, this book is a gentle signpost back to the old ways and almost lost words such as widdershins and deosil. A treasure and a joy for aspiring (and accomplished) witches."
– Michelle Harrison, Waterstones' Children's Book Prize winning author of Thirteen Treasures and many other books

"A truly enchanting and magical treasure, this special book is adorned with beautiful illustrations full of charm and detail that any reader, young or old, will adore and pore over.”
– Andy Shepherd, bestselling author of The Boy Who Grew Dragons series and The Wood Where Magic Grows

“This gorgeous book is bursting with gentle humour, heartwarming stories and cool ways to explore and celebrate the natural world. Every child (and adult!) needs this book!”
– Cathy Cassidy, bestselling author of the Chocolate Box Girls series & much more

“Full of whimsy, magic and adorable illustrations, this charming handbook for hedgewitches is sure to be a hit with the witchy, mature-loving kiddo in your life.”
– Librarian Victoria Rickmond, 5-star NetGalley Review

“An adorable book for the budding fantasy reader . . . Lighthearted and fun, this book comes highly recommended.”
– Educator Annie Brechbuhler, 5-star NetGalley review

“Whimsical and fun!”
– Bookseller Brianna Plumski, 5-star NetGalley review

“Such a charming book! I would highly recommend it to children who are interested in faeries and magic as well as pagan families who are looking for texts that speak to their practices.”
– Librarian Beau Manglass, 5-star NetGalley review

“A delightfully whimsical children’s book for little magic lovers. Well recommended.”
– Journalist Alicia Bayer, 5-star NetGalley review

"Fun, inventive and perfect to read through cover to cover . . . a lovely book that will be much treasured."
– Sir Michael Morpurgo

Photos

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additional book photo

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