Witchlet

The Magical Chapters Trilogy #1

by Victoria Zigler

In a world where everyone thinks witches are warty old women, a powerful and short tempered 9 year old is trying to find her place in the world, and make amends for something that happened when she was only 3. Her name is Paige, and she can bend the elements to her rather strong will. But can she convince people to accept her for who she is?

This is the first book in the "Magical Chapters" trilogy. The titles in the series are as follows:

1. Witchlet
2. The Pineapple Loving Dragon
3. A Magical Storm

ebook

First published June 1, 2012

About the author

Victoria Zigler is a blind vegan poet and children's author. Born and raised in the shadow of the Black Mountains of Wales, UK, she moved away from Wales three times: once to spend six months living in Alberta, Canada, the other times to spend a few years living near Hastings on the South-East coast of England, UK, each time returning to Wales. Now she lives in Wales again, along with a West Highland White Terrier named Lilie, a Cavapoo named Logan, a Hermann’s Tortoise named Artemis, and her Canadian husband, Kelly.

Despite spending far too much time in hospital, and eventually losing her sight to Congenital Glaucoma, Victoria - or Tori, if you prefer - has been writing since she knew how, with no plans to stop any time soon. She has a long list of publications to her name, including several poetry collections, a whole load of children’s stories, a story in the sci-fi and fantasy anthology Wyrd Worlds II, three poems in the Poetry Treasures anthology, and a poem in the Stand Together charity anthology. Plus, Tori’s Hermann’s Tortoise, Artemis, was featured in both the Magnificent Pets Coloring Book For Children and the Magnificent Pets Mandala Coloring Book For Adults.

Vegan due to both a love for animals and dairy allergy, as well as an Eclectic Pagan, Tori describes herself as a combination of Hermione Granger and Luna Lovegood from the Harry Potter books: Hermione’s thirst for knowledge and love of books, combined with Luna’s wandering mind and alternative way of looking at the world. She has a wide variety of interests, designed to exercise both the creative and logical sides of her brain, which she dabbles in at random depending on what she feels like doing at any given time, and is most likely to be found playing with her petkids, involved in calls with the ACB Community, curled up somewhere with a cup of tea and a book, working on some kind of craft project, or trying to keep one step ahead of those pesky typo fairies while writing her own books.

Reviews

[Robbie Cheadle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Witchlet is a lovely story about a nine year old girl, Paige, who is a witch. Paige is an obliging girl who is happy to assist other people in need but she has a quick temper and bears a lot of unjustified guilt due to an unfortunate accident, when she was only three years old, when her uncontrolled magic powers resulted in her cousin being injured and permanently disfigured. Paige's aunt has never forgiven her and when she comes to visit, Paige's mother hides all indications that she is a witch.

Paige is frustrated and the reasons are threefold: 1. her father was not able to cope with the idea of her being a witch and left her and her mother to manage on their own, 2. people do not have faith in her abilities initially due to her age and she is tired of being treated like a child, although she is one and her powers don't change that fact, and 3. her guilt and her aunt's attitude towards her which are things she has been unable to change.

In this book, Paige performs an act of magic which saves the life of a three year old girl, a feat for which the girl's grandmother is extremely grateful. When Paige's aunt comes to visit after this piece of magic, certain disclosures and events are put in motion which will change life for Paige. Will these changes result in positive changes to Paige's life? You'll have to read the book to find out.

[Natalee Pfeifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very charming story about a very young witch, frustrated with not being taken seriously because of her age and frustrated because she needs to also hide her powers from members of her own family. You will not want to miss this one!

[Michelle Cornwell-Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY REVIEW

Witchlet is a charming and entertaining treat! It tells the story of Paige, a nine-year old girl who has pretty much a grand desire to be accepted for who she is, and not what others think she is, or who they feel she should be. First and foremost, Paige is a Witch, a very powerful Witch who has helped many of her neighbors and those from far abroad with their problems. This Paige loves to do, aid those in need…but the one thing that never fails to get this feisty Witchlet riled up is that without fail every time a new person comes to for help, they never believe that she is truly the one to help them…

Also, Paige is dealing with discord in her family, such as members of the family who cannot accept who she is and what she can do; an example was her father who left the home because of Paige’s abilities, and her Aunt who blames Paige of injuring her son, Paige’s cousin.

Questions that run through the readers mind…

How will Paige every be taken seriously and not judged for her age but her abilities? How will Paige and her family heal?

I enjoyed this story, it was entertaining and well-written. The dialogue was fresh, and Witchlet was a stocked full of life lessons for children. Such as how to accept others, despite their differences. believing in oneself, even when it seems other s do not.

I believe this is a must read for all, due to it gems of truth that we all can learn from!

[Chris The Story Reading Ape · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever noticed that when you hear the term 'Witch', you automatically think of a grey haired, gaunt-faced, warty, scary old woman who wears a black, long sleeved dress with an equally black, tall pointed hat, gets about by riding on a willow garden-brush type broom and is usually accompanied by a black cat?

Paige is none of these things, she is 9 years old, has long blonde hair, dresses in normal clothes, travels by foot, or, if in a hurry, gets the wind to fly her and has a vegetarian Dragon called Daisy as a friend!

This is a pleasant little introduction to the Magical Chapters Trilogy, well thought out and written in a descriptive, Hans Christian Anderson like, language children will understand and can use to allow their imaginations to take hold.

Even though I am well past my sell-by date, the child in me is looking forward to reading Victoria's next book in the series, The Pineapple Loving Dragon.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book as a read for review.

I did not realise how short this book was when I said I would read it. It was too short for my liking. If it was inlcuded in a book of short stories then it would be good, but as one by itself I was not too keen. I am not a short story fan. The writing was good and the idea behind the story was inspired, if the author had put more thought into and wrote a full length book I can almost garentee that it would become a favourite of mine. But as it is, I will not be reading it again. Sorry. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed it but the length is an issue I cannot look past.

[Jonel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute little tale about a young witch wishing that she were older and taken more seriously. She is the typical young girl, with an extra special gift. Unfortunately she must struggle against unaccepting family members while learning about herself. Ziegler uses this story along with her impeccable descriptions to weave a tale that we have all lived through: Struggling to be yourself. This is also a story with a overlying moral of understanding and acceptance of others that has the ability to pull at the heartstrings of readers of all ages.

[w :) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book for reading and reviewing. I didn't realise how short it was, and I think it would have been a lot better as a full length novel. However, I thought the plot was very interesting and again, it would have made a good novel. I think the plot was a bit too ambitions to be so short.
That was my main problem, but one other thing that I noticed was a flaw in the grammar: "But I didn’t mean too," whereas it should have been "to".
Overall, it was interesting but I guess it didn't quite fit in the style of a short story, or I just don't like short stories as much :)

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this sweet story! I plan on letting my 7 yo daughter read it, she will love it! It is about a 9 year old little girl that is a very powerful witch. She deals with people not treating her with the respect she feels she deserves because she is so young as well as an Aunt that despises her for a mistake she made when she was 3. Witchlet teaches about acceptance of others, even when they are very different than the so-called "norm".
People of all ages will enjoy this story!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great Children's book of a young witch trying to be accept among others. She has a hard time making them understand who and what she is, as well as getting past stereotypes. It is a great book to teach children how to forgive past mistakes and look beyond what others believe, as well those stereotypes that we tend to place on things and people we don't understand. It truly is a lovely book and look forward for my kids reading it. Enjoy!

[David Staniforth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the charming story of Paige, a nine year old girl who is struggling to fit in because she happens to be a witch. While I do think the story could be longer, in particular an encounter that Paige has with a vegetarian dragon, I have to take into account that it is written for children, and is a perfect length and depth of prose for an introduction to fantasy for a young reader.

Well worth a read for those with young children, or for adults that still have that child within.

[Jacqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book it is a simple sweet story about a young witch who is overlooked by others because of her age, she is powerful beyond her years. She meets a dragon who helps her to come to term with herself and is able to resolve old issues with her family. She finally stands up for herself, and tells her aunt who she really is. I really wished it were longer I cant wait to read more.

[Rafaella Litvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice little story about magic and acceptance. The storytelling is fluid and suited to the genre. It is impossible not to like the witchlet Paige, rolling her eyes at people and not wanting to have a curfew. I'm sure every kid would love the read. And isn't there a kid in all of us?

[Gita Reddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even a witchlet, an apt word to define a nine year old witch, needs to be her own person. She needs acceptance, and unconditional love.
The story is told well and does not at all flow along expected lines. i found it very enjoyable. The book will also work as a bedtime read aloud story..

[Amy (DemonKittie) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Gifted this book for an unbiased review*

This was a cute short little story about a little girl who is a powerful witch and her struggle for people to take her seriously. Well written and adorable.

[Jemima Pett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a charming and heartwarming tale with some great descriptions. It is also very short. I think it is ideal for younger MGs and reluctant readers, but maybe the target audience really need to invest in the trilogy to get full satisfaction with the author’s excellent stories. I’ve still given it five stars.
Delightful first in series.

[deb]

2 more books to read before this..super excited! :)