Ivy Newt and the Storm Witch

By Derek Keilty

Illustrated by Magda Brol

Reviewed by Mia Macrossan

Derek Keilty  is a UK based author whose previous titles include Will Gallows and the Snake-Bellied Troll  and Flyntlock Bones: The Sceptre of the Pharaohs. He writes ripping adventure yarns for young readers aged 5+. Magda Brol is based in London and says that paints are too messy so pencils are her thing. She has written and illustrated Once Upon a Penguin and When the Crocodiles Came to Town. 

This new highly illustrated chapter book series features Ivy, a lovable young witch, and her friend and wolf familiar, Tom. Ivy’s parents, the King and Queen of the Sand Witches, prepare her a show-stopping birthday present — a magic act where they disappear! But hold on, they really have disappeared! Foul work is at play, and to rescue Ivy’s parents, she and Tom must travel all over the land of Miracula on broomsticks and flying carpets, making friends along the way, and pulling together to defeat Clawdelia Thorn, evil Queen of Grotland.

In children’s fiction the parents are often absent to give the child protagonist a reason for acting on their own. Here the parents disappear themselves and Ivy and her friends go on a quest, braving all sorts of dangers to bring them back safely. The plot gallops along helped by the plentiful zany illustrations, there is one on every page. This is a fun filled action packed adventure story that celebrates family and friendship. The villain, the evil Storm Witch Clawdelia, is not at all terrifying, in fact, she is quite funny at times.

The story comes with a map of the country of Miracula and a gallery of the cast of characters. The paperback is a sturdy production with thicker paper than normal which will help the book live longer as it is bound to be a hit within its age group who will, no doubt, be eagerly awaiting the sequel Ivy Newt and the Time Thief.

Scallywag Press 2024

Derek Keilty

Magda Brol