Elfie's Spellbook Volume 3: The Gingerbread Disaster

The second book, and third story, in this beautifully illustrated, joyful series full of cosy, witchy magic - and this time it's a festive treat! 
 
As Christmas approaches, Elfie and her sisters' bookshop-bus breaks down in Alsace, North-Eastern France. There, Elfie's secret - that she's really a witch! - is quickly spotted by Faustine . . . who is also a little witch! Her family have an enchanted bakery, and even an adorable gingerbread man familiar. 
 
But Faustine is also a bit of a disaster magnet, who has a habit of getting herself into trouble, then relying on Elfie to help her out . . . 
 
Inbetween an accidental snowstorm and attacks by upset gingerbread men, Elfie will uncover a family mystery dating back to World War II. One that could very well change the life of the village forever . . . 
 
Full of joy, mischief, family and friendships - as well as magic, of course - Elfie's adventures are sure to cast a spell on all her readers! Perfect for fans of Kiki's Delivery Service, Witches of Brooklyn, and cosy, funny fantasy like The Hatmakers.

As Christmas approaches, Elfie and her sisters' bookshop-bus breaks down in Alsace, North-Eastern France. There, Elfie's secret - that she's really a witch! - is quickly spotted by Faustine . . . who is also a little witch! Her family have an enchanted bakery, and even an adorable gingerbread man familiar. 
 
But Faustine is also a bit of a disaster magnet, who has a habit of getting herself into trouble, then relying on Elfie to help her out . . . 
 
Inbetween an accidental snowstorm and attacks by upset gingerbread men, Elfie will uncover a family mystery dating back to World War II. One that could very well change the life of the village forever . . . 
 
Full of joy, mischief, family and friendships - as well as magic, of course - Elfie's adventures are sure to cast a spell on all her readers!

Christophe Arleston

Audrey Alwett

Mini Ludvin

Anam Zafar

Ever since their mum died, free-spirit Elfie and her teen sister, Magda, have been stuck living with their extremely grumpy aunt in boring suburbia.That is until their older sister, Louette, arrives to rescue them in her London bus-come-travelling-bookshop, and whisks them away to freedom, and adventures travelling around France!Elfie is delighted to be reunited with all her sisters - especially when Louette reveals that their mother left them all special gifts. Elfie's is a notebook, which she fills with stories - just like her mum used to do.Only it turns out, the notebook isn't a notebook. It's a grimoire - a witch's spellbook! And when Elfie writes her stories in it, magic come to life . . . 
 
Now Elfie must work out how to use her magic for good - and help solve a mystery which has torn a small village in Northern France apart. 
 
In Elfie's second adventure, The Song of the Cicadas, Elfie, Louette and Magda arrive in their book-bus in Gonerbes, a sun-baked village in Provence. They've come to visit Alistair Kinloch, a writer who was friend's with their maman. But Elfie quickly finds a new mystery to solve: someone has been threatening Alistair, and his beloved vintage typewriter, a gift from Maman, has been stolen . . . Worst still, it seems that Alistair's inspiration was stolen with it - and now Alistair can no longer write! 
 
But who would want to harm Alistair, and why? It's up to Elfie - and some new magical friends - to find out . . . 
 
Full of joy, mischief, family and friendships - as well as magic, of course - Elfie's adventures are sure to cast a spell on all her readers!

Audrey Alwett

Books by Audrey Alwett

Series by Audrey Alwett

Elfies Spellbook

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter