WITCHYCAKES #1

In the seaside town of Shellville, a blue-haired witch in training and bakery employee makes delicious deliveries.

At Witchycakes, Mama Moon whips up beachy treats, from sandy-witch bread to raspberry sandbars. Accompanied by a sea gull familiar named Gully, tan-skinned Blue, who uses they/them pronouns, ferries their mother’s wares all over town. Along the way, Blue attempts to use magic to help the customers they encounter: a young boy who’s afraid to tell his two dads that he’s lost his guinea pig, a mother run ragged by her four kids, and a grocer mourning his beloved dog. But magic often causes more problems than it solves. Though Blue makes frequent mistakes, they quickly pivot to new solutions, offering young readers a welcome lesson in resilience. LaReau has created an idyllic, homey world populated by warm, neighborly characters who encourage Blue’s growth each step of the way. The witchy protagonist, gently told story, and sleepy, small-town setting feel heavily inspired by Kiki’s Delivery Service; its fans are likely to be thrilled with this new series, while young readers will hopefully find a natural path to the original book and anime film. Aspiring chefs will enjoy the appended kid-friendly, no-bake recipe for Mama Moon’s Beach Crumble. Moreira relies on a palette of muted earth tones and teals, pairing nicely with the seaside setting and effectively portraying a diverse cast.

A charmingly cozy fantasy helmed by an endearing queer protagonist.