The Extraordinary History of Witches

Discover the spellbinding history of witches in this guide to all things witchcraft for children.

Travel through time and across the globe in this book for children aged 8-12 as they uncover bewitching tales of historical witch trials, folklore, and potions.

Featuring immersive storytelling from author Hazel Atkinson and enchanting illustrations from Camelia Pham, this book covers everything from the origin of the word ＂witch＂ to the modern-day beliefs of Wiccans. Meet magical women, and hear about different forms of magic, from Ancient Egyptian Heka to South American Brujeria.

This witch book for children offers:

• Content by author Hazel Atkinson, whose background is in folklore and myth, that are academically rigorous, age-appropriate, and captivating.
• An international approach, looking at the history of witchcraft across the globe and through the ages.
• A fresh perspective on how the word ＂witch＂ has been used to persecute powerful, talented women through the ages.

This book delves into a variety of topics, such as the ways women have been unfairly treated throughout history, offering a fresh approach to the topic. Subjects such as witch hunts and trials are covered sensitively and appropriately for the age group. With magic, mystery, and a whole lot of history at your fingertips, this book will leave children totally charmed.

Hazel Atkinson is a British writer based in Newcastle. With a background in History and Classics, her work draws on folklore and classical myth. She has been placed in several competitions over the past few years, including the V S Pritchett Memorial prize and the H G Wells Short Story Competition.

Professor Diane Purkiss is an Australian historian who is Professor of English Literature at Oxford and fellow of Keble College, Oxford. Her interests include the supernatural, especially witchcraft; food and food history; children’s literature; folklore and fairytale.

Camelia Pham is a Vietnamese illustrator and art director based in Hanoi. Her work focuses on bold colors, and decorative frames. She has won numerous prizes for her illustrations, including the Batsford Prize 2018.