Graphic Novel Review: Alcatoe and the Turnip Child by Isaac Lenkiewicz

Alcatoe and the Turnip Child by Isaac Lenkiewicz. Flying Eye Books, 2022. 9781838740146. 61pp.

Alcatoe (a witch) is the most reclusive inhabitant of Plum Woods, which is also home to ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and more. Stovetop, her kettle dog, keeps her company, and even makes tea when asked. One night during a full moon Alcatoe takes fresh jam buns to the Witches Social Club, where she and others will discuss the Annual Feast. The event is meant to smooth things over between the witches and non-witches after Alcatoe helped three kids beat an unpleasant local gardener, Mr. Pokeweed, in a vegetable pageant. Most of the book is the story of what happened after the kids sought Alcatoe’s help, of them finding the necessary ingredients for and dealing with the consequences of Alcatoe’s enchanted vegetable spell.

This lovely book is a Halloween-ish tale without much of a sense of danger. I love Lenkiewicz’s illustrations, and the colors are a real standout, too. I think most kids who are starting to make their way through chapter books would enjoy it, as would older kids and parents.

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