The Witch in the Cherry Tree

It’s a damp and dull day, but in the kitchen, it’s warm and cosy. David and his mother are baking, and the delicious smells bring a greedy witch to their garden. Witches love to steal freshly baked cakes! She is going to use every magic trick she knows to steal their scrumptious treats, but can David outsmart her?

A mouth-watering tale of delicious cakes and wicked witches from New Zealand’s most celebrated children’s writer, Margaret Mahy, with gorgeous illustrations from award-winning artist Jessica Twohill.

Author Biography

Margaret Mahy (Author)

Margaret Mahy (1936-2012) is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated children’s writers. She is the author of more than 150 titles, which have been translated into many different languages and sold around the world. Appointed to the Order of New Zealand in 1993, Mahy also won many global prizes for children’s writers, including the Carnegie Medal and the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award.

‘It is in the nature of books, that they have the capacity to make you feel powerful about what you can alter and achieve in your life’ – Margaret Mahy

Jessica Twohill (Illustrator)

Jessica Twohill grew up with dreams of becoming an artist or writer. She studied illustration and design both in Wellington and Christchurch before returning to her hometown of Nelson, where she lives now. Jess won the Margaret Mahy Illustration Prize in 2022.

You can find Jess on Instagram @JessTwohillArt

Jenny Williams (Illustrator)

Jenny Williams 1939 is a hugely talented illustrator whose style is recognisable at a glance. A native of London, Williams was educated at the Wimbledon School of Art and University of London. She started drawing as a very young child, making up stories about the characters she created and her drawings have appeared in many different types of books, including fairy tales and nursery rhymes, animal stories and folk tales, published throughout the world.

Jenny Williams is a hugely talented illustrator whose style is recognisable at a glance. A native of London, Williams was educated at the Wimbledon School of Art and University of London. She started drawing as a very young child, making up stories about the characters she created and her drawings have appeared in many different types of books, including fairy tales and nursery rhymes, animal stories and folk tales, published throughout the world.