The Little House that Needed a Witch

Sophie Pluim author Polly Lawson translator

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Floris Books

Published:23rd Apr '26

Currently unavailable, our supplier has not provided us a restock date

The Little House that Needed a Witch cover

Deep in the forest sat a little witch's house, but the old witch who'd lived there had gone for good. The little house felt empty and alone. As the seasons changed, grass grew tall around it and mushrooms began to sprout from its roof. The little house knew it must find a new witch or it would fall down.

What to do? Creaking, the little house stood up and set out on a journey. Would it find a witch in need of a house?

This charming original fairy tale from Sophie Pluim, illustrator of The Runaway Pancake, celebrates change and being open to new beginnings.

'A gorgeous, comforting, heartening celebration of the circles of life, with one of the sweetest houses with chicken legs I've had the pleasure of spending time with. I'll return to this one like a favourite blanket.'
-- Sophie Anderson, author of The House with Chicken Legs

'Charming. Gauzy watercolor backgrounds complement the tight lines of focal points within the dreamlike illustrations.'
-- Foreword Reviews, Starred Review

'The text admirably imbues both house and young witch with distinct personalities and is paced to keep pages turning. Evocative watercolor and ink illustrations, alternately cozy and dramatic, contain much eye-catching detail.'
-- Horn Book, Starred Review

'Readers will likely empathize with [the lonely house] as they would with a flesh-and-blood character. A newfangled fairy tale with heart.'
-- Kirkus Reviews

'An engaging, quiet narrative paired with delicate illustrations filled with atmospheric watercolor and ink backgrounds, in an original story ideal for children who love fairy tales.'
-- Booklist

'Timeless and charming. Pluim's stunning watercolor and ink artwork [...] employs a sensational use of light and color to convey the passing seasons. A delight from beginning to end.'
-- School Library Journal

'A heartwarming adventure and an amusing twist on the concept of finding a forever home.'
-- Shelf Awareness

'A beautiful, fanciful picture book. With its gentle lyrical prose, carefully managed sense of anticipation, and charming artwork, it's a story that feels old-fashioned and modern at the same time.'
-- Youth Services Book Review, Starred Review

'Every page felt carefully composed and beautiful in a way that invited lingering rather than rushing ahead. A visually stunning and emotionally unusual picture book.'
-- The Green Parent

'Every page felt carefully composed and beautiful in a way that invited lingering rather than rushing ahead. A visually stunning and emotionally unusual picture book.'
-- Shenel, Green Parent Book Nook

'A beautifully illustrated book with an imaginative, simply told story.'
-- Kindling

'An original, deftly crafted, fantasy picture book that is exceptionally well written and illustrated by the gifted storyteller and artist Sophie Pluim. Thoroughly charming.'
-- Midwest Book Review

'A sweet, satisfying story about finding someone special to love and belong to. Marvelous and worth revisiting again and again.'
-- Global Literature in Libraries Initiative

'Another wonderful picture book in translation from Floris Books.'
-- ACHUKA

'The lovely illustrations capture all the beauties of the changing season and the gentle rhythm of the story will make it a treasured bedtime classic.'
-- Flying Off My Bookshelf

'Super cute and whimsical.'
-- Lane Public Libraries, Ohio, USA

'This is a lovely twist on the Baba Yaga house. A friendship and reciprocity story at its heart.'
-- Carmichael's Bookstore, USA

'Gorgeous. With a tenderness that reminds you of The Giving Tree, this picture book is a runaway classic.'
-- Changing Hands Bookstore, Tempe, USA

'Sweet, thoughtful, and quietly magical. The sort of picture book that lingers long after you've closed it.'
-- Barker and Jones (Bookshop in Naas, Ireland)

'Whimsical. Contemplative and ultimately hopeful, this story explores life transitions in a way that invites conversation through the perspective of a fantasy tale.'
-- Mary Lanni Reads (YouTube)

'A visually stunning masterpiece about determination and new beginnings.'
-- Cultivating Brilliant Minds (Instagram)

'A charming read for little ones. It's warm and whimsical, making it a perfect read-aloud.'
-- Read with a Rescue (Instagram)

'The perfect cosy autumnal witchy picture book. The illustrations are gorgeous!'
-- A Portal to Magic (Instagram)

Praise for The Runaway Pancake:

'What elevates this simple tale is the beautiful watercolor illustrations that are vivid, highly detailed, and give readers a sense of place. Children will almost hear the leaves rustling in the wind and smell ripening apples in the trees as the animals crash through the autumn forest.'
-- School Library Journal

'Like the classic tale "The Gingerbread Man", this cumulative story relies on repetition and rhythm... Children will gobble this one up and ask for more.'
-- Kirkus Reviews

'Illustrated in vibrant colours and with a cheeky runaway pancake as the protagonist, this playful story with rhythmic text will get your children engaged and smiling for sure!'
-- thekidsbookstagrammer (Instagram)

ISBN: 9781782509837

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 411g

40 pages