Magick Hoodoo Child

by Amber McBride, Violeta Encarnación (Illustrator)

Roots are our ancestor’s Magick

Summer for Juniper has finally arrived, which means rootwork summer with Grandma can finally begin!

It’s time to collect healing herbs to place into protective mojo bags; to fill mason jars with all the love, history, dirt, and magick one can fit in them. It’s time to talk to the tranquil willow trees and feel the soft earth between one’s toes; to honor one’s ancestors and hear Grandma share their stories, with her dog Shiloh underfoot.

Rootwork summer means it’s time to be a magick hoodoo child again.

From National Book Award finalist Amber McBride comes a loving story about rootwork, a powerful African spiritual practice, and the significance of past and present familial connections and traditions, reminding us how magickal and sacred it is to reconnect with the people we love, the earth, and one’s heritage, and the healing power that provides.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, African American, Nature, Magic, Family

40 pages, Hardcover

Published January 20, 2026

Reviews

[Becky R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another banned book that I wanted to check out. Honestly, it’s silliness and fear over the history of slavery and anything that seems to threaten Christian nationalism. I thought this was a beautiful story that gave the main character roots in her family that she could use to help her build her identity on so she could be proud of herself.

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle

A beautiful picture book that celebrates a young girl's connections to her grandmother, her ancestors, nature, and hoodoo.

It's the end of the school year and Juniper can't wait to get away from the bullies at her school and visit her grandmother for the summer. There she will connect with nature and her ancestors, practice rootwork, and create a new mojo bag to protect her from the bullies.

Such a sweet story. I love how free and joyful Juniper is at her grandmother's house. The story briefly explains the origin of hoodoo and its connection to slavery in America.

The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous with stunning colors.

At the back are activities for processing big feelings and creating a memory box.

A wonderful book that celebrates hoodoo, family, and one's connection to their ancestors.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this fascinating story, a grandmother spends a summer teaching her granddaughter about “rootwork,” an African spiritual practice based on ancestor “magick”and reverence for the healing power of nature. The girl learns how to make her own “mojo bag” to take home and give her more strength and courage to deal with the bullies at school who taunt her and question her heritage. Expressive illustrations evoke the special relationship between grandmother and granddaughter and the magick of being a “hoodoo” child. Endnotes feature Magick Acitivities, including Grandma’s suggestions for managing big feelings and instructions for keeping a memory box.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A child and her grandmother create mojo bags to protect from evil. The magick of being Hoodoo child and the connection of this child and her ancestors is palpable and warm. The illustrations by Violeta Encarnacion take the mystery of this story of the relationship of a grandmother and her granddaughter who continues her rootwork and traditions. The end of the book offers ways to deal with grief and loss as well as how to use nature to ground you and find your own peace. This is a lovely book on a topic I have never seen before in children's picture books.

[Aolund · Rating 5 out of 5]

Juniper is bullied at school, but when she goes to her Grandma's for the summer she is joyously immersed in hoodoo, rootwork, and ancestral connection, as her grandmother teachers her about the wisdom of her African ancestors and how this wisdom is carried on in magickal Black ritual practices. A lovely ode to hoodoo, ritual work, and Black ancestral and family love.

Themes: Magic, Hoodoo, Ritual, Grandma, Bullies
Age range: Kindergarten-Early elementary

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love, love this picture book; I just liked it instead. I do think that you can tell Amber McBride usually writes for older audiences. The text felt a little too full for me, and I didn't feel like the repetition of terms strengthened the narrative as much as just added bulk. I love the illustrations, but I really hate the super glossy paper this book is printed on. Great representation and interesting history and back matter, but probably not one of my favorites this year.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustration and the nature activities in the back are such a nice addition. I also have never seen a picture book talk about Hoodoo and the history, and traditions around it. I found the whole read so enjoyable. I think any kid who finds peace and love in nature will really like this one. And for those with Hoodoo backgrounds now have a picture book for them.

[Shoshanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautifully illustrated story of a Black girl named Juniper, who doesn't fit in in her school in the city, but loves summers with her magickal, hoodoo grandmother in the country! I really really loved all the ways Juniper can be herself and connect with her ancestors with her grandma's help. I really really loved this one! :)

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 5 out of 5]

A love story to Hoodoo told through the relationship between a grandmother and granddaughter. This book gives a brief introduction the practice along with the importance of ancestors that is appropriate for children. Reminder that Hoodoo is a CLOSED practice that you have to be born into. That is why the author didn't show you how to make a mojo bag that was shown in the story.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to see a YA author crossing over into picture books! It is winter in the Midwest but this book transported me to Grandma's beautiful, comforting home. The illustrations and text created such a strong sense of place. I also loved the accessible, kid friendly magick activities in the back.

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was thoughtful beautifully written book. The illustrations are breath taking. I checked it out from the library but I must add it to my collection. It's a work of art I wish I had access to as a child.

[Sassygirl87 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story that includes things that can be done to remember those that have past.

[Beau Manglass · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

The artwork in this one is absolutely breathtaking. A beautiful snapshot of the relationship between a young child and her grandmother and the cultural practice of Hoodoo.

[Judy Ripke]

Beautiful illustrations.

[Connie T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the end of the school year Juniper, a Black girl, goes to spend the summer with her grandmother where she reconnects with the magick of nature and her ancestors.

[Holly Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would go well with Eden Royce’s books—especially Root Magic. Stunning illustrations.