Just So Stories

New South Books

Ivy Newt and the Storm Witch
Derek Keilty, illustrated by Magda Broll

Apr 2023 | Scallywag Press | 9781915252180 | AUD$18.99, NZD$21.99

Ivy Newt and the Time Thief
Derek Keilty, illustrated by Magda Broll

Sep 2023 | Scallywag Press | 9781915252333 | AUD$18.99, NZD$21.99

Yes, quite right – both of these were released last year (well spotted you!) but a new one is on the way, so now would be an opportune time to add them to your orders list.

These are perfect magic & mystery books for your younger readers. Those kiddos who are past their newly independent stage and moving onto confident and able readers, but not yet quite ready for lengthy or demanding texts.

Ivy’s parents are the King and Queen of the Sand Witches. Their home, Newt Castle, is part of the larger land of Miracula, a land where mostly everyone gets along with everyone else. Ivy has a familiar called Tom – sometimes a boy, sometimes a werewolf and they make a good team.

In the first book, Ivy’s parents have prepared a wonderful birthday party for her, including the big surprise of a disappearing act. But when they actually do disappear themselves, it’s down to Ivy and Tom to find them. It’s a great adventure with which to start this very amusing series.

The second in the series finds Ivy and Tom with a new mystery to solve. There’s a very creepy house that only appears at Halloween and Ivy is determined to find out the why’s and wherefore’s of it all. Little do they know they are going to come up against some very powerful magic and a completely crazy sorcerer. Not only do they have to break the sorcerer’s spell but it all needs to be done before midnight! Nothing like a race against time to make things exciting!

This is a terrific little series for your readers from around 7 upwards and one which will engage many of them with its focus on adventure, mystery, humor, compassion, friendship and loyalty. Being highly illustrated is a great bonus for this age group. I give it a big recommendation of 🧙‍♀️🧙‍♀️🧙‍♀️🧙‍♀️.