Families who loved The Witch in the Cherry Tree by Margaret Mahy often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is experiencing a bout of 'the scares' or when you want to transform a rainy afternoon of indoor chores into a shared adventure. It is the perfect tool for validating a child's active imagination while providing the security of a parent who is willing to play along with their fears. In this story, David spots a witch in the cherry tree who is after their freshly baked cakes, but his mother cleverly joins his game to keep the 'intruder' at bay. While the witch might seem spooky at first, the story is deeply rooted in the warmth of the kitchen and the bond between mother and son. It celebrates the way play can be used to process anxiety and master the environment. The book is ideal for preschoolers and early elementary students who are beginning to navigate the line between what is real and what is pretend, offering a beautiful model of how parents can use humor and creativity to build a child's confidence.