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Little Gem
Sometimes getting a little lost can help you discover who you really are . . .
When a travelling spell goes terribly wrong, Gem finds herself in a strange, empty house, outside a strange, colourful town. She’s certainly not in Witchcraft School any more. In fact, she’s not even in the right time any more.
But everyone in Ellsworth Pining thinks Gem has arrived to be their new village witch, no matter how many times Gem tries to tell them she’s not. And after getting to know the town, making new friends – some real and some more ghostly – and solving some problems in her own unique way, Gem thinks her new situation might not be so bad after all.
Will she even want to find the right spell to take her back home?
An adorable and charming new children's series that is a sparkling gem of a read for anyone who loves Polly and Buster or Mummy Fairy and Me!
When a travelling spell goes terribly wrong, Gem finds herself in a strange, empty house, outside a strange, colourful town. She’s certainly not in Witchcraft School any more. In fact, she’s not even in the right time any more.
But everyone in Ellsworth Pining thinks Gem has arrived to be their new village witch, no matter how many times Gem tries to tell them she’s not. And after getting to know the town, making new friends – some real and some more ghostly – and solving some problems in her own unique way, Gem thinks her new situation might not be so bad after all.
Will she even want to find the right spell to take her back home?
An adorable and charming new children's series that is a sparkling gem of a read for anyone who loves Polly and Buster or Mummy Fairy and Me!
240 pages, Paperback
Published January 5, 2021
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 26, 2021
Absolutely delightful!
April 29, 2021
A gorgeous story about a witch called Gem, who accidentally magics herself away from her witchcraft school to a village called Ellsworth Pining in a time 100 years forward in time.
Little Gem is a charming character who is always getting herself into a little bit of trouble with her spells not quite going to plan. Happily, there are times when serendipity steps in, and while the spell might not go exactly as planned, it turns out to be just the thing that is required at the time!
Little Gem meets Ghost Henry, the Weather Worker, Mrs Silva (the Cafe shop owner), Amira (the cafe helper) and Renzo the postboy during her travels and builds some lovely friendships as she helps to unravel the mystery of where the weather worker has gone and what creature is “the beast”, which has been sighted around the village.
Little Gem is a charming character who is always getting herself into a little bit of trouble with her spells not quite going to plan. Happily, there are times when serendipity steps in, and while the spell might not go exactly as planned, it turns out to be just the thing that is required at the time!
Little Gem meets Ghost Henry, the Weather Worker, Mrs Silva (the Cafe shop owner), Amira (the cafe helper) and Renzo the postboy during her travels and builds some lovely friendships as she helps to unravel the mystery of where the weather worker has gone and what creature is “the beast”, which has been sighted around the village.
April 22, 2021
Just finished reading this as a class serial to my Year One class. Majority gave it 4/5 stars. A main character that discovers the value of mistakes - a great discussion point.
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May 19, 2021The following reviews have been shared by Penguin Random House Australia - publisher of Little Gem.
'Little Gem is a magical story, perfect for seven to nine-year-olds. In a similar vein to Jill Murphy's The Worst Witch series, the book is filled with adventure, friendship, fun and lots of sweet treats . . . With Little Gem Zobel has created a colourful cast of characters that readers will love and a fresh new series that will appeal to fans of Sally Rippin's Polly and Buster.' – BOOKS + PUBLISHING
'Little Gem is a feel-good story about friendship and finding your place in the world. A lovely first book in a series everyone will want to collect.' – SUE MAUGER, GLAM ADELAIDE
'Younger readers who love the Worst Witch series (whether books or TV) will fall in love with Little Gem . . . This is a perfectly delightful story, the start of a new series, which will enchant your young readers and empower those who may feel they are the odd ones out or not so adept as it proves that there is a ‘right fit’ for all of us, no matter our strengths or weaknesses. Anna Zobel has created a real winner here for younger readers from around six years upwards and both her text and illustrations are charming.' – KIDS-BOOKREVIEW.COM
'Little Gem is the embodiment of persistence and kindness. If at first she doesn’t succeed, she tries again until she gets it right. She does everything in her power to help the generous townspeople, and her self-confidence grows as she realises that perhaps she isn’t such a bad witch after all. Gem shows that failing doesn’t make you a failure, and that your determination and love will ensure you find success, even if it’s in an unexpected place . . . I would recommend this magical tale for children 5-8 years old, it could be especially valuable for kids who struggle with schoolwork or self-esteem.' – LIBBY BOAS, READING TIME
'Little Gem is a magical story, perfect for seven to nine-year-olds. In a similar vein to Jill Murphy's The Worst Witch series, the book is filled with adventure, friendship, fun and lots of sweet treats . . . With Little Gem Zobel has created a colourful cast of characters that readers will love and a fresh new series that will appeal to fans of Sally Rippin's Polly and Buster.' – BOOKS + PUBLISHING
'Little Gem is a feel-good story about friendship and finding your place in the world. A lovely first book in a series everyone will want to collect.' – SUE MAUGER, GLAM ADELAIDE
'Younger readers who love the Worst Witch series (whether books or TV) will fall in love with Little Gem . . . This is a perfectly delightful story, the start of a new series, which will enchant your young readers and empower those who may feel they are the odd ones out or not so adept as it proves that there is a ‘right fit’ for all of us, no matter our strengths or weaknesses. Anna Zobel has created a real winner here for younger readers from around six years upwards and both her text and illustrations are charming.' – KIDS-BOOKREVIEW.COM
'Little Gem is the embodiment of persistence and kindness. If at first she doesn’t succeed, she tries again until she gets it right. She does everything in her power to help the generous townspeople, and her self-confidence grows as she realises that perhaps she isn’t such a bad witch after all. Gem shows that failing doesn’t make you a failure, and that your determination and love will ensure you find success, even if it’s in an unexpected place . . . I would recommend this magical tale for children 5-8 years old, it could be especially valuable for kids who struggle with schoolwork or self-esteem.' – LIBBY BOAS, READING TIME
March 8, 2021
I loved everything about this tale of a young witch named Little Gem. Her escapades throughout place and time were particularly amusing, and her solving of the mystery of the missing Weather Worker was engaging!
Thank you @puffinbooksaus and @penguinkidsaustralia for gifting me this book to read!
Thank you @puffinbooksaus and @penguinkidsaustralia for gifting me this book to read!
February 13, 2021
Sweet little story about Little Gem, the witch who has made a mistake in her travelling spell and ended up time travelling to the future. A lovely adventure story with great characters and a mystery to solve. Perfect read aloud for lower primary students. Gorgeous illustrations.
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March 28, 2021Little Gem is a sweet book for early readers. I loved the way Australian birds and plants are woven into the fantasy storyline, and with a dragon hatchling, kids will be keen to read the next one.
August 1, 2021
An excellent read aloud, I absolutely ADORED this book.
It’s a cozy mystery filled with cute characters, fast paced enough to keep the attention of young children (I read this to my 4YO, 2YO and 5 month old), with illustrations scattered throughout to help visualise the world and characters. I also found that the chapters were a good length, not so long that it feels like a slog for young readers but just long enough for it to give a sense of accomplishment when finished.
I look forward to reading more about these characters navigate their friendships and solve mysteries, and hope that this charming series is a long one.
It’s a cozy mystery filled with cute characters, fast paced enough to keep the attention of young children (I read this to my 4YO, 2YO and 5 month old), with illustrations scattered throughout to help visualise the world and characters. I also found that the chapters were a good length, not so long that it feels like a slog for young readers but just long enough for it to give a sense of accomplishment when finished.
I look forward to reading more about these characters navigate their friendships and solve mysteries, and hope that this charming series is a long one.
December 5, 2023
Absolutely delightful for young readers. It is so hard to write for this age, using appropriate vocabulary and retain and interesting plot and characters. This book does it. Little Gem is a little witch who's spell has not quite worked and she lands in a town who need a new witch. Gentle and humourous. Plus, there are sequels.
(Thanks to the bookseller at The Little Bookroom, Melbourne, Australia, who was recommending it to another customer and I overheard. A good bookseller is also a Gem but a big one. Librarians are Gem's too)
(Thanks to the bookseller at The Little Bookroom, Melbourne, Australia, who was recommending it to another customer and I overheard. A good bookseller is also a Gem but a big one. Librarians are Gem's too)
January 3, 2021
A sweet witch story! Loved the illustrations!
January 7, 2021
Charming
July 14, 2022
Kiddo loved this and so did I. Can't wait to read the next one.
January 21, 2023
4.5
Extremely predictable and very similar at times to The Worst Witch, but ultimately too sweet not to love.
Extremely predictable and very similar at times to The Worst Witch, but ultimately too sweet not to love.
December 21, 2025
amazing amazing book
im in the credits!
im in the credits!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews