Emily Lee was a little witch in a family full of witches. Her mother and father were witches, and so were all of her siblings. Although she was only seven, and not supposed to do any magic yet, she often 'borrowed' her mother's wand, in order to cast mischievous spells. Unfortunately, she didn't know her right from her left, and her spells often went wrong, due to her habit of holding the wand in the incorrect hand. When she transformed herself into a toaster, and was late for dinner, her long-suffering family knew they'd have to search for her, and help her regain her natural form...

Originally published in Canada as Sardinette Flanellette, this witchy early-reader is part of Picture Window Books' Read-it! Readers collection. It is on the text-heavy end, for an early-reader - it is a green level title, which is the fifth of sixth levels in the Read-it! Readers system - and pairs a fairly engaging story from author Carole Tremblay with humorous illustrations from artist Stéphane Jorisch. I sought it out, initially, because of my interest in witchy picture-books and other illustrated texts, and on the whole I enjoyed it. The central story idea is original - I don't think I've ever encountered a story in which magic is influenced by which hand one uses to hold the wand - and the artwork is droll. I've encountered and enjoyed Jorisch's work before, in titles such as Oma's Quilt by Paulette Bourgeois, and New Year at the Pier: A Rosh Hashanah Story by April Halprin Wayland, so it was a pleasure to see more of it. Recommended to beginning readers who enjoy witchy tales. ( )