Little Linh introduces herself as "the cleverest little witch on Mãi Mãi Island," but like many ordinary little girls, she has a problem...her little brother, Baby Phu, who ruins everything. Linh tries to give him away, to no avail; then she tries to transform him, but he's eaten part of the spell from her book and it goes awry. Eventually, Baby Phu turns into a dragon (not a goldfish, as intended), but when he rescues Linh, she feels lucky to have a baby brother after all. (Mostly.) Bright, tropical colors in paint and colored pencil make for a lively story. ( )

This book follows a young witch that is trying to get rid of her brother. When no one wants him, she ends up accidentally turning him into a dragon. ( )

The cleverest little witch on Mãi Mãi Island, Little Linh isn't quite prepared when her baby brother Phu arrives. Eventually getting fed up with the chaos he causes, she attempts to get rid of him - offering him to the local troll, trying to drop him off at the Orphanage for Lost and Magical Creatures - but has no success. Then she hits on the idea of turning him into something less objectionable with her magic. Her efforts only lead to more chaos however, with Phu eventually transformed into a dragon. Fortunately, Phu loves Little Linh, even when he is in dragon form, and his actions convince her that having a little brother isn't such a bad thing...

A charming witchy take on a classic childhood experience - namely, the mixed feelings an older sibling can sometimes have, at the arrival of a younger brother or sister - Clever Little Witch pairs an engaging story from author Mượn Thị Văn with gorgeous artwork from illustrator Hyewon Yum. As someone with an interest in the depiction of witches in picture-books and early readers, I have read hundreds of titles at this point, but this is the first I have encountered featuring Asian characters. I found the story engaging, and the artwork absolutely delightful. I loved the bright use of color, so different from many other witchy tales I have read, and the depiction of Little Linh's adorable winged-mouse familiar. Recommended to young children struggling with the advent of a new sibling, and to anyone who enjoys witchy fare of the gentler variety. ( )