This Year, a Witch!

by Zoey Abbott

In this picture book offering a twist on the trick-or-treat trope, a feisty little girl has had enough of her parents picking cutesy Halloween costumes for her—this year, a witch!

A little girl has been every adorable thing you can imagine for Halloween, and she is done with being cuddly, sweet, and precious. This year, she’s rebelling big-time and going for a totally different the spookiest thing out there. She’s going to be…a witch!

With only a little help from dad, she works hard on her witchy locks, brew, spells and enchantments, and power to petrify. But what happens when what she sees in the mirror is so spooky, she scares even herself? Nothing that an understanding dad—and maybe a quick restorative nap—can’t handle.

Genres: Picture Books, Halloween, Holiday, Childrens, Witches, Fiction, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

Published July 15, 2025

About the author

Zoey Abbott is a graduate in Women’s Studies and History from Smith College. She spent four years living and painting in Japan. She currently lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband, kids and a large dog named Carrots.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tired of cute costumes, the little girl narrator of this charming Halloween picture book from author/illustrator Zoey Abbott decides that this year she will be a witch! As she works on her costume, she describes the things a witch can do, from whipping up spells to turning into enchanted trees. Warning the reader to run and hide, the little girl finds she herself is a little scared, when seeing herself in witchy garb for the first time, but after a short break, she's back on form...

This Year, a Witch! is the first book I have read from Abbott, and is one I sought out because of my interest in witchy picture books—a perennial pet project of mine. Although it is focused more on a girl dressing up as a witch, rather than on an actual witch, I think it has enough witchy charm to qualify for my witchy witches project, especially as the wonderful author photograph on the rear dust-jacket flap shows a young Abbott in a witchy costume of her own! In any case, I found this one very appealing, from both a textual and illustrative standpoint. The narrative felt very child-oriented, and the artwork made excellent use of color and form (full marks for the expressive and adorable cat!). Some of the bright splashes of color here reminded me of the work of Italian illustrator Beatrice Alemagna, which is high praise indeed. I read this one a little out of season, as I requested it from my library as soon as a copy showed up on order, and it only recently became available. That said, I think it would make an excellent story for younger children at Halloween time, especially those who dream of being witches.

[Gabi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Earns bonus points from me for the author’s choice of personal photo for their bio!

[DaNae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute if predictable. It’s no Ramona Quimby, although the plot is plucked right from Ramona the Pest.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect in every way! My new favorite Halloween picturebook that Im certain will be an instant hit + all the makings of becoming a beloved classic.

[Scott Rothman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gem! Love all of Zoey Abbott's work but this one is really special. Kids are gonna love this one!

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not just for the Halloween season, this is a book children will treasure throughout the year. Gentle but empowering, humorous but thought-provoking. Highly recommended!

[Meghan Bohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this one, although I wish it didn't have an outdoor cat.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The young narrator of this picture book has been a bunny for Halloween and a mouse the year before that. In fact, every year, she has been entirely adorable for Halloween. But this is the year that all changes and she dresses up as a witch. She’s been preparing by growing out her hair, making accessories, and preparing for her witch’s brew. But when she is finally ready and in her costume, she’s a bit more witchy than she can handle! With a little help from her father, she embraces her pointed hat, witchy robe and dark side.

Abbott has created a funny and smart book about the immense decision of what costume to wear at Halloween and how regrets can set in at the last minute. Children will recognize the joy at embracing a new character, the build up to the holiday and the rush of feelings as it all starts. The illustrations add to the pleasure of the book with their vibrant Halloween colors as they capture the little girl’s emotions clearly.

A non-scary Halloween book just right to share aloud. Appropriate for ages 3-6.

[Erica Robyn Metcalf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This spirited little girl has had enough of the cutesy costumes. This year, she’s taken matters into her own hands and she’s been training all year long for her big transformation. Her goal? To become a fearsome, independent witch! No more bows and frills. She’s casting spells, brewing potions, and most importantly, doing it all by herself. Or so she says…

But when the big night arrives and her master plan is set in motion, she realizes there might still be a spooky surprise she’s not quite ready to face alone. Maybe—just maybe—she still needs her dad for a little backup, even the most powerful witches sometimes do.

A sweet and funny story about growing up, finding your voice, and learning that independence doesn’t mean you can’t ask for help. A perfect little tale for anyone who’s ever wanted to do it all on their own… with a little support.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our young protagonist has had enough of the cute and cuddly costumes she has been wearing for Halloween. She has spent the past year prepping for something more daring - she is going to be a witch! But once the costume is on along with her make up she discovers - witches can be scary. Fortunately she has a very supportive dad to help her out!

I love how the dad is the center of her Halloween experiences all through the book.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this story, a girl is determined to outgrow her childish cuteness to become a bonafide witch for Halloween. She practices being witchy and works diligently on her costume. Fortunately, Daddy comes to the rescue when she scares herself half to death. Adorable illustrations show that she can blech all she wants, but she can’t trick us. She may look like a well-rested witch, but she’s still so darned cute!

[Cheryl A.]

I thought it was fine, though not my favorite kind of art, until the very end. Her dad is wonderful, that's clear. It makes sense that she could scare herself in the mirror, I guess. And that a 'restorative nap' can help. But what's up with the last two images, the house party and then the silhouettes of two little trick-or-treaters?

Unrated, at least for now - maybe others' reviews will help.

[Abbigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

LOVED the illustrations and the overall story of a girl not wanting to be cutesy for Halloween anymore, but I think the execution was a little jumbled. The spreads after she sees herself in the mirror led me to believe she was going to change her costume and that she didn't (even a little bit) felt unsatisfying. I also wasn't sure why she needed to "relax" or "be well-rested." A little disappointing.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young girl has her heart set on dressing up as a witch for Halloween.

After having dressed as something cute in all the previous years, a young girl decides to be a witch for Halloween this year. I thought the twist would be that she would a cute witch, but she looks in the mirror and scares herself.

This story shows a positive father-daughter relationship. It also captures the magic of dressing up in Halloween costumes as a child.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this adorable Halloween-themed book via Heirloom Literary's list of the best of the year, which is to say that I found it by being a huge fan of Jason Reynolds.

This is such a cute story. I loved the illustrations and specifically the color palette. While reading, I surprised myself by loudly cackling at a part that's reminiscent of The Monster at the End of This Book. 🫣Which is to say, it's funny too. Highly recommend for adults and children alike.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about a young girl who's tired of being cute things for Halloween, and is ready to be...a witch! Extra stars for stylized illustrations that bring me back to my own girlhood imaginings and 1980's picture books I'd check out from my school & public library and buy from the Scholastic book sales from my teacher.

Themes: witches, Halloween
Ages: preK-1st grade
Pub year: 2025

[Shoshanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this one! I love the simple use of colors that were so BOLD! I love how the main character is finding new ways to be, channeling different parts of herself! I love the attention paid to all details in the transformation from adorable costumes to witch! Just as fun to look at as to read!

[TheRetiredSchoolLibrarian |Mrs. Ferraris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: A little girl shares all of the cute Halloween costumes she has been in the past, but now wants to be something scary--a witch. Her dad helps make the costume and applies her makeup. All is okay until she looks in the mirror.

Comments: I liked how she grew from cutesy costumes to wanting to be spooky.

A fun read-aloud.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little girl has always been other things for Halloween, so this year, this year she will be a witch. She spends a lot of time organizing her outfit and preparing it only to scare herself! But witches gotta witch and that's just what she does.

Of course it's okay to be a strawberry and all, but there are years when you grow up that you just have to witch.

[Emmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute little book about an adorable little girl who wants to be scary for Halloween. Perfectly balancing a child's desire to be spooky and a parent's desire to carry around their child dressed as a peapod or something equally cute, this makes for an entertaining read.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming and energetic first-person narrator shares all her preparations for leaving adorability at Halloween behind because this year she will be a witch. Love those loosey-goosey illustrations and the genuine kindness of it all.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

What fun it is when you scare yourself! Kids will love this book about a girl who done with cute Halloween costumes. Just don't tell her how cute this story is. Appreciate seeing a single dad who sews, helps with makeup and comes alone as her cat (and carrying her stuffy).

[Kirsten Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an absolutely charming and spunky main character - reminds me a bit of Ramona Quimby or Piper Green. Such a fun twist in her tale of trying to be so frightening this year for Halloween! And the artwork is just beautiful!

[Brooklyn Couch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good cute book for Halloween. The main character is tired of being cute on Halloween and wants to be scary so she decides to be a witch. This only scares herself so she takes a while to put the costume back on and go trick or treating.

[Connie T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little girl decides that she's done with cute Halloween costumes. This year, she'll be a witch! She makes plans, puts her costume together, and when she looks in the mirror, she scares herself! But Dad is there to offer support and together they go out trick or treating.

[Patricia Q · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute!

[Kirsti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining children's book about a little girl who is tired of being adorable and wants to be powerful and scary. Her parents do a great job of supporting her in her adventures.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super adorable

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book about a girl who wants to stop dressing cute for Halloween and wants to be a witch.