Witchycakes #2: Changing Magic

Witchycakes #2

by Kara LaReau, Ariane Moreira (illustrator)

Welcome to the most magical bakery -- Witchycakes! Little Blue, a witch-in-training, delivers baked goods all over their town, and finds things are magically changing all around them, whether they like it or not. Cozy up with this sweet chapter book perfect for early elementary school readers!

In a magical bakery called Witchycakes there's a young witch-to-be named Blue. It's Fall now but Blue doesn't want to let go of the sunshine from summer. Does everything have to change? Then, Blue discovers they aren't the only one who's not ready for change. As they deliver magical baked goods all over town, Blue helps their neighbors get used to new things. . . and in the process finds the magic of change! 

Cook up some love with Blue as they use magic and problem-solving to be the best helper they can be in their whimsical little town!

Fresh from the oven. . . another WITCHYCAKES book! Don't miss Witchycakes #1: Sweet Magic!

Genres: Childrens, Witches, Fantasy, Magic, Middle Grade, Chapter Books, Juvenile

80 pages, Paperback

Published August 19, 2025

About the author

Kara LaReau was born and raised in Connecticut. She received her Masters in Fine Arts in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts and later worked as an editor at Candlewick Press and at Scholastic Press. Among other celebrated titles, she edited Kate DiCamillo’s Because of Winn-Dixie, The Tale of Despereaux, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, and the Mercy Watson series. She is the author of picture books such as UGLY FISH, illustrated by Scott Magoon, Baby Clown, illustrated by Matthew Cordell, and Goodnight Little Monsters, illustrated by Brian Won; chapter book series Witchycakes, illustrated by Ariane Moreira and The Infamous Ratsos, illustrated by Matt Myers; and middle-grade trilogies The ZomBert Chronicles, illustrated by Ryan Andrews, and The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters, illustrated by Jen Hill.  Kara lives in Providence, Rhode Island with her husband and daughter and their cats.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blue is a witch-in-training to her mother, who bakes magic goodies.She is trying to learn all the things that one needs to know, but she also has to deliver the goodies.


In this edition, the second in the series, she is dealing with the change from summer to autumn, as it is the autumnal equinox, and the days are getting shorter and nights longer, and she is a little sad about it.
But as she goes from house to house, she solves problems without too much magic, or rather the magic she uses is not what solves the problem, but helps the problem be overcome. A little girl wants a pony, so Blue makes her a toy pony. A sister and a brother are not good at their jobs. She tells them to switch jobs, while she helps them clean up the kitchen.


It is a cute series that shows you don’t have to have magic to listen to people, and help them fix their problems. The illustrations are fun. The situations are common enough that kids can relate to them. And it is easy to read on their own.


Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be published on the 19th of August 2025.

[Kelly {SpaceOnTheBookcase] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witch in training Blue is back with her bakery owning mom in the next book of the Witchycakes series. In Changing Magic Blue doesn't just want to delivery the bakery items, they also want to help deliver them too. Lamenting about the seasonal change from summer to fall, while Blue is around town they learn that they're not the only one who dislikes change. Another cute book in the series, I really enjoy the layout, the font and the illustrations throughout.

Thank you Random House Kids for the gifted copy.

[alicebme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fall! A lovely book about change and growing up just a little.

[Paula Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's something wonderfully comforting about settling down with a cup of tea and a book that feels like a warm hug, and Witchycakes #2: Changing Magic delivers exactly that cozy feeling. As soon as I opened this charming chapter book, I was transported to the magical little bakery where Blue, our adorable witch-in-training, is learning that change isn't quite as scary as it seems.

What I absolutely love about this story is how it captures that bittersweet feeling we all get when seasons shift. Blue doesn't want summer to end, clinging to those long sunny days the way my own kids resist putting away their shorts when autumn arrives. It's such a relatable struggle, and watching Blue work through these feelings while delivering magical baked goods around town felt both gentle and genuine.

The beauty of this book lies in its sweetness . As Blue helps their neighbors adjust to changes in their own lives, we see a young character discovering that being helpful and kind can actually make transitions easier for everyone. There's real problem-solving here, wrapped up in whimsy and magic, which makes it perfect for those early elementary readers who are navigating their own big feelings about change.

The Witchycakes bakery itself is a place I'd love to visit as you can practically smell the fresh-baked cookies and enchanted pastries wafting from the pages. It's the kind of setting that makes bedtime reading feel extra special, especially as the evenings grow longer and cooler.

This series is quickly becoming a favorite in our home for those cozy evenings when we want something magical but manageable for our younger readers. If you're looking for a chapter book that celebrates kindness, embraces change, and wraps it all up in a delightfully magical package, Changing Magic is fresh from the oven and ready to enchant your little ones.

Perfect for: Ages 5-8, fans of gentle magic, and anyone who needs a reminder that change can bring its own kind of wonderful.

[Kiara Brinkman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main character, Blue, is nonbinary, and I appreciate that this simply IS, without any bulky baggage or explanation. Mama Moon, Blue's mother, is a single parent, and a same sex couple own a cafe in Shellville--again, these facts of life simply exist, as they should! In this second book in the series, Blue also helps siblings break out of stereotypical gender roles to find success.
Throughout, we get to see Blue practice their budding magic, but often they must rely on their human powers to help friends and neighbors solve problems.
Magic, baking, a talking seagull (Blue's familiar) -- a winning mixture for sure!
For our emergent reader, the word to illustration ratio makes this series very approachable. I wish more early readers were so thoroughly (and beautifully) illustrated.
Miyazaki fans, the artwork and storyline skillfully pay homage to Kiki's Delivery Service.
We look forward to more Witchycakes!

[Cindy Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this fall themed book in this series about a little witch who is living in a seaside village. Blue's magic is growing, so they were able to do more with their magic to assist their community in this book. One of my favorite chapters featured a set of two sisters who rarely leave the house but regularly order baked goods from Witchycakes; they are pretty much recluses who run an online business selling shell themed goods and they pretty resolute in their dislike of people. Blue does something clever to get them out of the house though.

The illustrations were lovely, and I also enjoyed the fall themed borders with pumpkins, leaves, apples, and baked goods (it is really cute). These books are perfect for young people new to chapter books - short chapters, fully illustrated, and whatever issue is happening gets resolved in one chapter. It was also a perfect break for this adult who was looking for a quick, delightful read.

[Michelle M · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5
Thank you to netgalley for the eARC!

First impression: Art is beautiful! Very cute character designs and colors.

A cute story of a little witch helping other people solve their problems in their town with the help of a talking seagull. The witch and the seagull also talk about the change from summer to fall (the overarching plot I suppose), and it was perfect for this 70° day! 5 short chapters and each page has art of some kind. I’d like to go back and read the first! The little town seems very cute and full of magic. It was definitely giving Kiki’s Delivery Service vibes, especially that Blue (the witch) was delivering pastries/baked goods from her mother’s shop (like how Kiki lives above a bakery in her book and delivered for them).
Good for early readers! I finished in less than an hour on my lunch break lol

[Caity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC Book.

I totally loved the first book and this second book does a wonderful job keeping cozy witchy vibes going. I loved the fall setting and how that transitioned into the topic of each chapter's adventure being change. Like in the first book Blue uses a little magic plus a lot of cleverness and caring to help their neighbors face some big changes. I also thought the way the concept of Mise En Place tied into the story was clever and loved that the back of the book featured instructions for Mise En Place in your own kitchen, a very important skill for everyone to learn. Once again this book is so wonderfully and thoughtfully done and I am so excited to see even more of Blue in future books.

[Amanda Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my favorite layout for early chapter books. I think it's more appealing and less intimidating for beginning readers. This story models diversity, inclusion, and consent. This story focuses on tolerating, working through, and eventually embracing change. Blue is a great model of behavior and intent for kids. Pair that with magic and talking animals and you've got a winning combination.

A word of caution: this book has non-binary characters and same gender couples. If you aren't comfortable with your children reading books with these types of characters, maybe skip this one.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nobody likes change, but it's good to get out of our comfort zones and try new things! Blue encourages their friends to try new things and accept change in this second installment of the Witchycakes series. I liked the first one better, but this has a nice message too. (My biggest complaint is when she visits the home of a child - the illustrations and character introduction made it look like a toddler but the dialogue was more like an older child - as the mother of an almost 4 year old it just didn't sound right!)

[Alex at lost Haven Homestead · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars (Really Liked)
🧸🧸🧸🧸🧸 5 The ultimate cozy read
🐉🐉🐉🐉 4: Innovative and captivating
All Ages
🎧 34 mins
Welcome to the most magical bakery -- Witchycakes! Little Blue, a witch-in-training, delivers baked goods all over their town, and finds things are magically changing allaround them, whether they like it or not.
💭:
A gentle, whimsical, and sweet chapter book. Minimal elements, focused on solving small problems related to change. A magical setting and storyline are central to the plot.

[Lexi M · Rating 5 out of 5]

NETGALLEY: Another cozy installment in the Witchycakes series! Loved the theme of change in this one. Blue helps her friends understand and work towards changes—big and small! The variety of ways that change is shown (family structure, lifestyle, and overcoming fears) is really neat and it covers a broad range of experiences that children can have. A very good read that kids will enjoy and parents will enjoy, too!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Random House Books for Young Readers through NetGalley.
I appreciate the way LaReau pulls readers in to Blue's adventures. She weaves practical lessons through their interactions with other characters. Each book has a focal lesson as well. In this case, readers are introduced the concept of Mise en Place to organize when baking or cooking. The message to organize and prepare carries far beyond this.

[Madeleine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witchycakes continues to be a series I'd have gone feral over if I had read a lot of early chapter books growing up. I love Blue, their kindness, their resourcefulness. The illustrations are so fun and cozy--I feel like it scratches a similar itch to Kiki's Delivery Service in the visuals and the feel of the magic and I love to see an early chapter book with some very casual nonbinary rep!

[Melanie (aka DarkBeauty73) · Rating 4 out of 5]

E-ARC from Netgalley

Another cute story about Blue and her mother. This time Blue helps people as she makes her deliveries during the autumnal equinox. It is a story about change, just like the seasons we change as well. That change can be a good thing even though it can seem scary. Perfect story for kids to read on their own or to be read too. The illustrations are a wonderful addition to the story as well.

[Suzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was great to read about Blue again and the bakery and the magical mishaps.
Still love the illustrations.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

[Zelos Tokumoto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another absolutely adorable read from the Witchycakes series, I love everything about it from the storyline, to the characters all the way to the art.

This time the story follows Blue once again helping the people in their community, this time however they are helping them handle change, showing them that not all change is bad, that it can be good and sometimes change can take time and not happen over night.

Highly recommended for any parents with young kids especially if they may be dealing with some kind of change in their lives.

Thank you Netgalley Random House Children's | Random House Books for Young Readers for the arc.

[Ande Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blue is back for witchy magic and baking in Witchycakes 2! I love this series! The illustrations are amazing and baking magic is just as cozy as you can imagine it to be. Blue is a fantastic protagonist, and I love watching them solve their magic mishaps.

Thanks to NetGalley, Kara LaReau, and Random House Children for the chance to read and review! My opinions are my own!