The Courage of Cat Campbell

by Natasha Lowe

Published 6 January 2015
“Lowe echoes the whimsy of J.K. Rowling with…charismatic characters.” —Publishers Weekly
“Fans of Matilda…will be happy to meet another spunky girl.” —School Library Journal

Cat Campbell is a late-blooming witch whose magical abilities have yet to be mastered in this charming coming-of-age story set in the world of The Power of Poppy Pendle.


Cat Campbell has had magical powers since the day she was born, but she didn’t always know that. Cat’s mother believes magic ruins lives, and even as Cat’s passion for magic grows over the years, no one suspects she has the gift. But she has indeed inherited the coveted magic gene of her famed great-great-grandmother Mabel, a discovery she makes in a most surprising way. And when she comes across a book called The Late Bloomer’s Guide to Magic, she finds the encouragement she needs and spells that actually work. Then the town of Potts Bottom is threatened by a notoriously feared witch, and Cat has the chance to help her family and town—and to prove herself in the process. Because, as The Late Bloomer’s Guide to Magic proclaims, “believing in your magic and yourself is half the battle.”

The Power of Poppy Pendle

by Natasha Lowe

Published 4 September 2012
“There is a strong essence of Roald Dahl to this story…a crowd-pleaser.” —Library Media Connection
“[A] sweet story about true friendship.” —School Library Journal

Poppy has magical powers, but she would rather be a baker. Can she find a way to follow her own path? This charming novel includes more than a dozen delectable recipes!

Ten-year-old Poppy, born to ordinary parents, has inherited coveted witch power. In Poppy’s world, witches work for good and are much valued, but Poppy does not want to be a witch—she wants to be a baker, and she is extremely good at baking. Her parents insist Poppy follow in the footsteps of her great aunt, a famous witch, but Poppy has plans of her own.

Part magic, part adventure, and wholly delicious, this spirited story includes more than a dozen recipes you can try at home.

Penderwicks meets Edward Eager in this moving story “that will remind readers of Roald Dahl’s Matilda” (School Library Journal) about a young witch found in a flowerpot who embarks on a journey to discover her roots.

The morning Nora Ratcliff finds a baby in the flowerpot on her front steps her life changes forever. She had always wanted a child, but after her husband passed away, Nora never thought it would be possible. She decides to name her miracle flowerpot child Mabel, and as Mabel grew up, she showed a distinct talent for magic.

When Mabel is accepted to the prestigious witch school, Ruthersfield Academy, she excels at the curriculum, especially magic, but is constantly in trouble for experimenting and inventing her own potions. One day she is asked to write a paper on the origin of her magical roots and discovers the truth about her birth after a mean classmate blurts out what everyone seems to know—except Mabel. Mabel is shocked but the revelation does explain a lot. In an act of rebellion, Mabel changes her name to Magnolia and sets out to learn why she was left in the flowerpot and who her birth family might be.

Will Mabel find the answers she’s looking for—or will she discover that families are people who love and look out for each other—and that’s most important of all.

The Daring of Della Dupree

by Natasha Lowe

Published 4 August 2020
Matilda meets The Penderwicks in this charming, magical story about a young witch who accidentally travels back in time—the fourth in the “effervescent” (Kirkus Reviews) Poppy Pendle series.

Della Dupree has the so-called honor of being named after the legendary founder of the prestigious witchcraft school, Ruthersfield Academy. Her namesake left incredibly big shoes to fill, and most days, Della doesn’t feel like she’s up to the task. No matter how hard she tries, Della’s magic seems middling, her spells sad, and her charms not so charming. Deep down, Della feels she will never do the academy founder proud.

Then one morning Della is in the library early to work on her spells before class. Thinking about her name again, she finds herself chanting, “Twelve twenty-three, twelve twenty-three, Ruthersfield was founded by Witch Dupree.” But the open closet of time travel amulets nearby means her careless words have serious consequences. A mysterious wind gusts through the library and sweeps Della back to the year 1223. She ends up alone in a strange time with no idea how to get back home.

Della has never had much confidence in her magic, but left with no choice, she must use her spells and ingenuity to find her way back across the centuries—and maybe finally feel she’s earned her name.

Roald Dahl’s Matilda meets The Penderwicks series in the “effervescent” (Kirkus Reviews) Poppy Pendle books about young witches who learn to follow their dreams and believe in themselves—now in a collectible boxed set!

Ten-year-old Poppy, born to ordinary parents, has inherited coveted witch power. In Poppy’s world, witches work for good and are much valued, but Poppy does not want to be a witch—she wants to be a baker, and she is extremely good at baking. Her parents insist Poppy follow in the footsteps of her great aunt, a famous witch, but Poppy has plans of her own.

Cat Campbell is a magical late bloomer. Can she use her fledgling skills to defeat a wicked witch? When adopted witch Mabel Ratcliff searches for the truth of where she came from, she might just discover the true meaning of family. And Della Dupree’s magical mishap sends her back in time, leaving her to make sure her school’s founding comes to pass without a hitch.

Part magic, part adventure, and wholly delicious, each spirited story includes recipes or crafts to try at home.

This magical paperback boxed set includes:
The Power of Poppy Pendle
The Courage of Cat Campbell
The Marvelous Magic of Miss Mabel
The Daring of Della Dupree