Leila, the Perfect Witch
by Flavia Z. Drago; illus. by the author
Primary    Candlewick    40 pp.    g
7/22    978-1-5362-2050-6    $17.99
Spanish ed.  978-1-5362-2538-9    $17.99

“Far and wide, Leila Wayward was known for being an extraordinary little witch.” But despite her desire to win the Magnificent Witchy Cake-Off, Leila can’t seem to master the Dark Arts of Patisserie like the other Wayward women. When she accepts help, tips, and tricks from her three older sisters, Leila is finally ready to compete…and has learned that having fun makes her feel like a winner no matter what. Drago’s colorful mixed-media illustrations are full of interesting and funny details that complement her playful story, from the pictures on the front endpapers introducing her family to the décor in their gingerbread house to the not-so-scary creatures that inhabit Leila’s witchy world. Concurrently published in Spanish as Leila, la bruhita perfecta.

From the September/October 2022 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.