Bound To Stay Bound

Other - 05/26/2025 Baking, magic, and compassion are the main ingredients of this gentle early chapter book series launch by LaReau (the Infamous Ratsos series). Witch-in-training Blue delivers magic-enhanced pastries from their mother’s fantastical bakery, Witchycakes, to customers throughout Shelville. Each seaside community inhabitant, portrayed with varying skin tones, is experiencing a crisis: young Jib’s pet guinea pig has escaped, overwhelmed Mrs. Sanderson is too exhausted to make lunch for her hungry children, and grocery store owner Mr. Haddock is mourning his late dog. When Blue’s half-baked magic fails to solve the peoples’ woes, Blue uses their ingenuity to conjure nonmagical solutions. Alongside Mama Moon’s delicious baked goods, the intrepid protagonist serves up ample empathy and wit as they explore Shelville and immerse themselves in their neighbor’s daily lives. The large cast’s imaginative, seaside-related names (Gully, Pearl, Ms. Crabbe, Barnacle, Skipper, etc.) add cheeky personality to a story that’s as sweet as Mama Moon’s Beach Crumble. Clean, softly shaded full-color artwork by Moreira depicts the passage of time (individual chapters take place at morning, noon, afternoon, dusk, and evening) and includes bustling page borders showcasing beach, pastry, and witchy paraphernalia. A recipe concludes. Publishing simultaneously: Changing Magic. Ages 6-9. Author’s agent: Ammi-Joan Paquette, Aevitas Creative. Illustrator’s agent: Alex Gehringer, Bright Agency. (Aug.) - Copyright 2025

Booklist - 06/01/2025 This is an enchanting new chapter book series that will captivate young readers with its heartwarming story. A young witchling named Blue works in a bakery with Mama Moon in the cozy little seaside town of Shelville. Mama Moon bakes up the magical goodies, and Blue rides their bike around, making deliveries and trying to help others along the way. Blue, along with their trusty seagull, tries to find a lost guinea pig, relieve an exhausted neighbor, and cheer up a store owner in mourning. Blue’s character is relatable and sweet as they try to make their neighbors’ lives better but end up making a few mistakes along the way. The charming, full-color art on every page brings the story to life, making it perfect for early readers who are just starting to enjoy chapter books. The end of the book includes a fun recipe to pair with the book. With its themes of kindness, helping others, and community, Witchycakes is a perfect read for children who love magical stories with a sweet twist. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.