Tag Archives: Holidays

When the Witch Wrote Back! by Nathan Christopher (Book Spotlight)

 

 

 

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Meet the Author

Nathan Christopher is a former child and aspiring adult who enjoys spreadsheets and—far more useful for his writing—making people laugh. Nathan is the creator of the When They Wrote Back! series of funny holiday picture books, beginning with When Santa Wrote Back! (Sourcebooks Wonderland, 2025). Follow-ups include When the Witch Wrote Back! and When the Easter Bunny Wrote Back! (2026) and When the Leprechaun Wrote Back! (2027). He pens his stories (and his letters to Santa) in Windsor, Canada, where he lives with his wife and children—who ensure endless material and a conveniently sleepless schedule for writing.

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Halloween Search-and-Find Adventures: A Hunt Full of Tricks and Treats by Gus Morais (Book Spotlight)

Ready for a Halloween activity that’s more treat than trick? Halloween Search-and-Find Adventures keeps kids giggling, guessing, and glued to every page while secretly boosting their focus and observation skills. It’s the kind of screen-free fun they’ll beg to do “just one more time!”

Packed with vibrant, detailed illustrations, this playful book transforms Halloween into an unforgettable interactive experience for children and families alike. Each page features a bustling Halloween scene, complete with sneaky skeletons, creepy pumpkin patches, haunted houses, and more, all filled with your favorite Halloween characters.

With this search-and-find, you will:

  • Keep kids entertained for hours with engaging, screen-free Halloween fun
  • Strengthen observation skills as they hunt for cleverly hidden surprises
  • Build focus and patience through interactive, repeatable challenges
  • Spark imagination with playful ghosts, pumpkins, and whimsical spooky scenes
  • Turn quiet time into an exciting “I found it!” experience

From tricky pumpkins to mischievous monsters, every search is a new mini adventure bursting with color, charm, and just the right amount of spooky fun. Whether it’s for cozy fall nights or on-the-go entertainment, this is the Halloween activity book kids will reach for again and again.

Can your little monster spot them all?

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Take a peek inside….

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Meet the Author

Gus Morais is an award-winning Brazilian illustrator based in Madrid, Spain, known for his intricate and vibrant illustrations filled with joyful, densely populated scenes. With nearly 15 years of experience, Gus has created work for major international clients across editorial, publishing, advertising, and entertainment, including The Washington Post, Warner Bros Games, LEGO, DC Comics, LucasArts, Wizarding World, and AT&T. He is the long-time creator of The Washington Post’s annual Christmas search-and-find illustration, a reader favorite.

Beyond editorial and commercial projects, Gus has illustrated packaging, puzzles, children’s books, murals, large-scale posters, and digital campaigns. His recent collaboration with Frontify on the viral “Spot the Brand” campaign earned two Drum Awards, including Gold in the Illustration category. He is a three-time recipient of the Society for News Design’s prestigious Award of Excellence.

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The Switch Witch: Keeper of Sweet Dreams, A Halloween Tradition by Bridgetta Tomarchio (Book Review)

From the award-winning, bestselling author of Monsters Don’t Say Meep comes The Switch Witch: Keeper of Sweet Dreams, A Halloween Tradition.

What if your Halloween candy could create sweet dreams all year long?

Have you heard of the Switch Witch?

On Halloween night, children choose a few special treats to leave out for her. While they sleep, she works her magic and leaves a surprise in their place. It’s a Halloween tradition families everywhere are falling in love with, and this is the story of how it all began.

Every night, the Switch Witch protects children’s dreams, turning scary ones into sweet ones. But after a whole year of magic, her powers are running low. This Halloween, she needs one special ingredient to save the sweetest magic of all.

Can one small wish and a few special treats bring back her magic?

Perfect for:

  • Families starting a Switch Witch tradition
  • Halloween bedtime reading
  • Parents looking for a gentler, magical Halloween
  • Ages 3-8

Add this magical Halloween story to your cart today.

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(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 

 

The Switch Witch: Keeper of Sweet Dreams (A Halloween Tradition) is an exciting story, bursting with color and magic that’ll get your kids in the holiday spirit!

Every witch has their own special kind of magic; the Switch Witch uses her magic to protect children’s dreams. Every night, the witch’s magic globe shows which children’s dreams need her help, and she turns the scary situation into a comical scene that brings plenty of laughs. 

One sneak peek: many kids are scared of spiders, and that fear shows up in their dreams. For one little boy, the fear-inducing creepy crawler is holding 4 cupcakes while wearing 4 roller skates, a tutu, and a crown. Oh, and it is wearing makeup. Get the book to reveal this adorable illustration! 

The Switch Witch’s magic isn’t endless; she needs to refuel, but how? With a spell called The Sweet Brew that needs lots of candy that has to be given to her freely by the kids. Do your kids gobble up all their Halloween candy, causing stomach aches, or refuse to share it with others? Do you throw away mounds of candy every year? The Switch Witch: Keeper of Sweet Dreams gives families a kind-hearted, sweet idea for what to do with excess sugary treats. Though witches are not real, giving or donating the candy is a wonderful idea, and so is leaving a wish behind. Parents can fulfill these wishes, much like they do with other holiday characters (e.g., Easter Bunny and Santa Claus). 

The artwork has several inconsistencies, but very young kids will overlook them or not care. Readers will love and giggle at what happens when the candy is added to the cauldron; namely, what happens to the black cat during the addition of the bubble gum and taffy. To clarify, the artwork mistakes do not affect the story’s flow or plot. It’s a delightful story, and reading it would make a great Halloween tradition, and so would the wish idea! 

My recommended reading age is 3-9 years. 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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Meet the Author

Bridgetta Tomarchio is an author, ghostwriter, and PR powerhouse who has helped countless entrepreneurs and creatives bring their stories to life. Founder of Plot Twist Ink, she coaches writers from concept to bestseller, drawing on 20+ years of experience in media, publishing, and publicity. Her career spans actress, host, producer, and publicist for celebrities and high-profile clients, giving her an unmatched eye for storytelling that captivates both readers and the media. Bridgetta’s own writing blends raw honesty, empowerment, and heart—whether she’s crafting memoir, children’s adventures, or bold fiction. Her greatest inspiration is her 5-year-old son, Lucian, who fuels her imagination and serves as her enthusiastic “guinea pig” for children’s stories. With every project, Bridgetta weaves purpose, passion, and authenticity—helping others find their voice and transform their stories into legacies.

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Santa Rides the Subways by Jeffrey Lindberg (Book Spotlight)

It’s Christmas Eve in Brooklyn, New York, and Santa Claus is in trouble. Racing to complete his worldwide journey before Christmas morning, Santa is making his final stop when disaster strikes over Sunset Park. His sleigh begins to shake violently, forcing him to bring his reindeer down onto the roof of a brownstone below, right above eight-year-old Carmen, who has been watching the whole thing from her window.

When Carmen races up to the roof she finds Santa, his reindeer, and a sleigh that isn’t going anywhere. The presents still need delivering. Christmas is slipping away. And Carmen, a resourceful Brooklyn girl who knows her neighborhood, has an idea that just might work.

Could the New York City subway system help save Christmas?

Told in irresistible rhyme with vibrant full-color illustrations by the author, Santa Rides the Subways is a joyful holiday adventure rooted in the urban energy and multicultural heart of Brooklyn. Funny, warm, and genuinely surprising, this is a Christmas story that reflects the real New York – its neighborhoods, its elevated trains, its children – and the one determined little girl who saved the night.

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Meet the Author

Jeffrey Lindberg is a professional illustrator whose cover paintings appeared on books for major publishers for more than two decades. He has taught illustration at Kean University in New Jersey since 2002. Santa Rides the Subways, is his second picture book as author and illustrator.

 

 


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NORTH: A Magical Friendship Story by J.R. Buchta (Book Spotlight)

With a swirl of snowflakes, a shimmer of starlight, and a dazzling dance of color, the North Wind, the North Star, and the Northern Lights unite their magical powers to create something truly delightful—a host of vibrant, whimsical new friends!

At first, chaos whirls through the arctic skies and nothing goes quite right. But these Three Old Friends don’t give up. Through teamwork and a little northern magic, they finally pull off a heartwarming success.

Join the celebration as an unforgettable gathering of playful arctic animals and cheerful newcomers come together.

Can you guess who the merry, toy-making friends might be?

Here’s a hint: they are full of holiday cheer and love spreading joy!


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Read My Review on Reedsy Discovery!

 

 

 

Meet the Author

JR Buchta was born and raised in Philadelphia PA. As a youngster, he expressed an interest in music and spent most of his early life in the performing arts as a singer-songwriter. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, he entered the business world and made a career in marketing.


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