“Wanda Spelled is a little witch with a BIG problem. At Spell Bright Academy, her magic is marvellous … until her spelling slips.”
Drama and English teacher, Jess Galatola, has become a passionate advocate for early literacy and it is obvious in this book. She believes the magic of reading begins with picture books and has used the homonym, ‘spell’, often confused homophones, and plenty of action verbs to create a narrative that makes reading exciting and emotive.
Artist, illustrator, Lu Baker is a whimsical Australian illustrator and picture book artist based in Sydney, known for her cozy, magical, and character-driven designs. She has certainly crafted a magical portrayal of the Spell Bright Academy. With all double-page spreads that are full of colour, light and movement, the school comes alive. Her characters are all individual and their personalities epitomized in their emotions and posture. The details in the backgrounds and the witch’s familiars are also vital components, adding fun, laughs and warmth. The delightful end pages contain not only comical images, they also hold important information.
