The Witching Hour

An American Library Association 2026 Rainbow Book List Selection

“Each scene looks awash with magic, with detailed strokes created on vibrant backgrounds. Together, the art and the delightfully alliterative text result in a tale that’s both mystical and intimate.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Jennifer Harris and Adelina Lirius have captured the [witching hour] phenomenon so perfectly in their new picture book that you and your children will be under their spell… . Lirius’s fabulous pictures evoke an entire universe where the fantastic and the familiar are effortlessly blended. Earth colors predominate and the domestic interiors are as welcoming as those in Dutch still paintings… . For readers, this home of friendly spider webs, baskets of knitting yarn, and a quaint wood stove, seems uncannily real. For the duration of the story, you will be living among friends, and the supernatural is just, natural.” —Imaginary Elevators

”[A] very sweet story about family coming together to help the youngest settle down… . 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.” —CanLit for LittleCanadians

“Whimsical tones accompany the difficulties of the last hours before bedtime to form an adorable read… . There’s a lovely sense of care and warmth as the witches go out of their way to comfort the baby… . Colorful illustrations make each scene inviting and keep the atmosphere light. These hold fun details, which invite readers/listeners to come back and explore each moment again on their own.” —Bookworm for Kids

“I love the cleverness of this story by making the witches be the parents of a little baby experiencing the witching hour. It’s a lovely play on words and creates a wonderful story to be shared in the fall when the witches and ghouls are out in full force.” —Storytime with Stephanie

“This delightful book will entertain your little one, especially if they love Halloween.” —Story Monsters Ink

JENNIFER HARRIS is the author of three other picture books, including When You Were New, illustrated by Lenny Wen, and She Stitched the Stars, illustrated by Louise Pigott. Her book The Keeper of Stars, illustrated by Dorothy Leung, is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection. Jennifer lives in a little storybook house with her husband and children in Waterloo, Ontario.

ADELINA LIRIUS is an illustrator based in Stockholm, Sweden. She loves painting imaginary scenes, portraying nature and depicting the different cultures she grew up with. Adelina is the illustrator of a picture book adaptation of The Secret Garden; The Fort by Laura Perdew; Rivka’s Presents by Laurie Wallmark and I, Too, Am Mozart by Audrey Ades, which received a starred review from School Library Journal.

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