The Witching Hour

Written by Jennifer Harris

Illustrated by Adelina Lirius

Tundra Books

978-1-77488-440-9

32 pp.

Ages 3-7

June, 2025 

 

For those who read fantasy or believe in the supernatural, the witching hour is that time, late at night, when entities like witches make their appearance. But for this family of witches, the witching hour is a little different: that unique hour that slips in between dinner and sleep when their littlest one is set to be put to bed. For them, this time of fussiness is as chaotic and rowdy as any time when other worldly creatures come out to play or cause mayhem. 

From The Witching Hour, written by Jennifer Harris, illustrated by Adelina Lirius

A lovely family of two witches, a small boy and a baby have just finished their meal when the chaos begins. After its bottle spills, the baby begins to cry which turns to caterwauls and then to crescendos. The little boy covers his ears, the black cat is alarmed, and the two witches start to implement an assortment of tricks to calm the baby.

From The Witching Hour, written by Jennifer Harris, illustrated by Adelina Lirius

They take turns, one rocking the child as they perch on a broom before the other takes it for a ride, bouncing on the broom like a pogo stick. The little boy takes the child in hand and does flying loop-de-loops to soothe the baby. When a wand is finally brought out, an owl from a magical parade of toys is just the thing to quieten the baby. For now, at least.

From The Witching Hour, written by Jennifer Harris, illustrated by Adelina Lirius

There are still routines to follow in that witching hour like baths and diaper changes and again the baby is having none of it. So new tricks come out. Snacks, songs, dancing, and even a bat are brought out to the crying child. The baby might not be amused but her big brother is enjoying everything from the music to the pink poodles and tries to help distract and entertain her.

From The Witching Hour, written by Jennifer Harris, illustrated by Adelina Lirius

As every parent and caregiver will know, the baby will eventually tire itself out–hopefully!–and finally, finally succumb to the exhaustion that caused such mayhem and misery.

 

Bedtime must be a special time for Jennifer Harris as her earlier book, The Keeper of Stars, highlights another getting-a-child-to-bed ritual, though with a far gentler story. But, The Witching Hour, as disquieting as it might seem, is actually a very sweet story about family coming together to help the youngest settle down. And though the strategies this family uses may be a little bit different than those your family might use–after all, very few of us have flying broomsticks and magic wands and bring bats to distract a baby–they are creative and diverse, and this family is willing to try anything. Surprisingly, Jennifer Harris never makes the story ridiculous or uproariously funny. She keeps it charming and familial and affectionate. Any parent or older sibling will understand and feel for this family at this witching hour.

 

Illustrations for The Witching Hour were created by Sweden's Adelina Lirius who used gouache, coloured pencils and digital application to  design a magical home of a wonderful witch family. From the spider web play pen to their hanging herbs and lush yard of fairies, frogs and flowers, Adelina Lirius has given Jennifer Harris's words a playground of colour and fascination.

From The Witching Hour, written by Jennifer Harris, illustrated by Adelina Lirius

 

Anything could happen 

in the witching hour.

 

Jennifer Harris is correct that anything can happen in the witching hour whether in a witches' home or that of a human family. But the aim of calming a baby and bridging the time between eating and sleeping is universal, though the approaches taken can be unique. Still a little magic can always help.