Hedgewitch by Skye McKenna with a sprinkle of magic from Tomislav Tomic
Prepare to be enchanted, entranced and delighted by the brand-new book from Skye McKenna illustrated by the inimitable Tomislav Tomic. The first in a magical five-book series, Hedgewitch publishes this April with Welbeck and will be sure to instantly capture the imaginations of young readers.
When Cassie runs away from her dreary boarding school, in search of her missing mother, she ends up in the magical village of Hedgely and discovers she comes from a family of witches – women who protect Britain from the denizens of Faerie, who are all too real and far more frightening than the story books suggest.
With the help of a talking cat and a flying broom, Cassie escapes to the enchanted village of Hedgely. There she will begin her training in the practical skills of witchcraft with the Hedgewitch, who watches over the Hedge, the vast forest that marks the border between England and Faerie.
Tomislav has painstakingly re-created the imaginary worlds captured within this story using fine line pen illustrations, amongst beguiling chapters headers featuring familiar creatures, he has also created numerous highly detailed full-page illustrations scattered throughout this incredible story.
Our young protagonists shin their way up bewitched trees, take cautious steps into magical markets selling all manner of mystical creatures and encounter several unusual characters.
Tomislav’s traditional pen and ink style and master craftsmanship lends itself perfectly to this fantasy series. We would like to draw your attention foremost to the incredible map created for the beginning and end of the book, the mind boggling detail and thought behind minute details is beyond compare and will have children pouring over the pages of the fantastical adventure for many hours.
You can see some of our favourite illustrations from this book below, we hope you enjoy them as much as we have.
This is a must read, don’t believe us? Check out these amazing reviews and then grab yourself a copy HERE.
'There are only two sorts of fantasy story: the ones that feel fake and the ones that feel real. It's hard to explain the difference but you know the real ones when you read them, and Hedgewitch is one of them' Philip Reeve
'Magical in every sense of the word' -- Eoin Colfer
'There are only two sorts of fantasy story: the ones that feel fake and the ones that feel real. It's hard to explain the difference but you know the real ones when you read them, and Hedgewitch is one of them' -- Philip Reeve
'So full of magic and adventure – I wish I'd written it myself!' -- Linda Chapman
'Oozes magic from every page. The start of a cosy, compelling series for anyone who's ever wanted to be a witch' -- Aisha Bushby
'A richly inventive story' -- Gillian Cross
Please view Tomislav’s online portfolio over on our website HERE.
For more information regarding collaborating with Tomislav please email info@arenaillustration.com
Cover illustration by Saara Söderlund.
