Bursting with imaginative detail, this whimsical fantasy series follows Spella ­De-broom Cauldroneyes, a blue-freckled magical foundling and her very extensive family. Discovered in the bottom of a cauldron as a baby, Spella lives with centuries-old Aunt Cauldroneyes, a mummified cat named Egypt, and a vast assortment of anthropomorphic hats. An unfortunate accident that turns her best friend’s feet purple at the beginning of the book sparks a journey that eventually leads the crew to visit Mummy City, where dastardly smoke heart Stonescare may once again be up to no good. In addition to the densely detailed text, this book contains footnotes about various flora and fauna, articles by Madam ­Millith ­Muddles, an advice columnist for mummies, and illustrations, which were not complete at the time of this review. This lengthy ingredient list comes together to make a vibrant reading experience that can also be overwhelming. The major conflict doesn’t fully arrive until very late in the text, stalling the action, and sweet plot lines and themes centering found family, kindness, and loyalty are at times difficult to follow against the elaborate worldbuilding. Major characters cue white. VERDICT Recommended as a secondary purchase or for libraries where complex fairy tales are popular. 

– School Library Journal, 10/1/25

In this second series entry, blue-freckled foundling Spella De-broom Cauldroneyes and friends take an exciting shopping trip to Mummy City—arriving just in time to help save the world.

Gathering up both her shy best friend, Tolden Tutters (whose dragon, Softfang, serves as his hearing aid), and the many fantastical hats of her green-skinned guardian witch, Mathilda Cauldroneyes, 8-year-old Spella leaves jolly Hungry Snout Forest for the big city. There, the disappearances of a certain very powerful old cauldron and a rising number of the city’s residents signal that trouble’s beginning to bubble. (“Toothless Toz is ten feet tall and smells of old cheese…His arm fell off in 3356 BC and was never found again, so he used a feather duster in its place.”) As it happens, Stonescare, a “frightful, mean wizard,” has recruited some scary allies for a new scheme. Readers fond of stories filled with silly names, ingenious spellcasting both helpful (a sandwich-dispensing cardigan pocket) and otherwise (screaming farts), and engaging magical creatures (booger-eating purple unicorns, tree wart trolls quaintly collecting roozle wart for their morning tea) will echo Spella’s favorite expression of delight—“toadfire!”—at the many comical twists. They’ll also appreciate the summary way the fledgling wand-wielder sends a pair of sneering bullies packing. The ending promises more adventures to come. Final art not seen.

A clever, magical romp, overflowing with high drama and low humor. 

– Kirkus STARRED REVIEW, August 15, 2025