That crafty little witch, who first appeared in author/illustrator Linda Glovach's 1972 The Little Witch's Black Magic Cookbook, before going on to star in seven subsequent books, returns in this ninth title devoted to her creative endeavors. This time the focus is on birthday parties, and opens with a brief introduction, as well as The Little Witch's Code—a section highlighting the proper behavior expected of participants in the activities subsequently laid out. Instructions for making different kinds of birthday hats, masks and cakes are included, as are some ideas for games and activities for various themed birthday parties. The latter include: Count Dracula's Castle Birthday Party, King Arthur's Knights of the Round Table Birthday Tea Party, Little Witch's Haunted House Birthday Party, Tortoise and Hare Spring Birthday Party Picnic Lunch, Goblin's New Year Winter Skating Party, and Little Witch's Surprise Birthday-in-Bed Party. The book closes with a list of birthday gems and flower (by month), and an index...

Published in 1981, The Little Witch's Birthday Book is an engaging entry in Glovach's sixteen-volume series, presenting plenty of ideas for home-made, home-crafted birthday parties. Oddly enough, given that this is the ninth title in The Little Witch series that I have read, I'm not sure I'm really the target audience for these books. They're interesting enough, and I think those inclined toward crafting might find them useful resources, but I honestly doubt whether I'll use a single idea presented here, or in previous titles, as I do not have children of my own, nor do I teach. That being said, I still appreciate the fact that the crafting and cooking suggestions here are all fairly simple, and can be put together using commonly available items and ingredients. I also appreciate the witchy content—the true reason I have sought out these books, given my interest in witchy picture books and other heavily illustrated titles—and only wish that the illustrative element here, depicting the Little Witch and her friends, were more extensive. Recommended to those looking for suggestions for children's birthday parties, in which the children themselves can play a central role. ( )