Little Witch Academia is a book series written by Yoh Yoshinari and illustrated by Keisuke Sato. It follows the story of a young girl named Atsuko Kagari, who enrolls in the Luna Nova Magical Academy to fulfill her dream of becoming a witch. The book is set in a world where magic exists, but is fading away. At Luna Nova, Akko befriends two other aspiring witches, Lotte and Sucy. Together, they navigate the challenges of learning magic, making friends, and overcoming their own insecurities. Throughout the series, Akko faces numerous obstacles and setbacks on her journey to become a witch.
The crystal ball brings with it additional connections to the University: the actor who played the wizard in the movie, Frank Morgan ’1921, attended Cornell for one year in 1909, and Maud Gage Baum ’82, the wife of the author of the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Lyman Frank Baum, also attended Cornell in 1881-1882, before dropping out of Cornell to marry him.
In fact, prior to the advent of on-demand streaming services, the public waited for the annual broadcasting of the film, and given the anticipation to the event, it felt like the longest day in the year, Heidig said. The Walker Library of the History of Human Imagination, a private library in the home of founder and owner Jay Walker 77, housed the crystal ball since it was re-discovered in a prop house after it was missing for many years.
Throughout the series, Akko faces numerous obstacles and setbacks on her journey to become a witch. She is often seen as an underdog due to her lack of magical skills, but her determination and positive attitude help her overcome these challenges. One of the main themes in Little Witch Academia is the power of friendship.
Crystal Balls and Witchcraft Oh My! ‘Wizard of Oz’ Item Showcased in Kroch Library
The most famous crystal ball in the history of film — the crystal ball from The Wizard of Oz — arrived at Cornell for exhibition from somewhere over the rainbow and can now be found in the Kroch Library rotunda from April 25 until June 25.
The crystal ball is showcased as part of “The World Bewitch’d: Visions of Witchcraft from the Cornell Collections,” a collection first started by the University’s co-founder and first president Andrew Dickson White that documents the spread of ideas on witchcraft across Europe, with a focus on the history of persecution of accused witches.
The Wicked Witch of the West used the crystal ball in the iconic film to track Dorothy and her friends’ whereabouts as they journey down the Yellow Brick Road, explained Lance Heidig, reference and instruction librarian for Olin and Uris libraries.
The Walker Library of the History of Human Imagination, a private library in the home of founder and owner Jay Walker ’77, housed the crystal ball since it was re-discovered in a prop house after it was missing for many years.
Walker and Eileen Walker ’76 MBA ’78 together chose to loan the ball to the Division of Rare and Manuscript Collection, located in Olin Library. The ball’s appearance at Cornell marks the first time it has been displayed anywhere other than the Walker Library, according to the Cornell Chronicle.
The Wizard of Oz was “special and exciting” when it first came out in 1939, and many people of that generation “feel [it] is the best movie of all time,” Heidig said. In fact, prior to the advent of on-demand streaming services, the public waited for the annual broadcasting of the film, and given the anticipation to the event, it felt like “the longest day in the year,” Heidig said.
“You got one chance a year to see it because they broadcast it on television. You got this one only chance,” Heidig said.
Today, however, given the ease of access to streaming services, people can watch the film at any time, rendering the movie not “special any more,” Heidig said.
“I don’t think people get the magic of it. But my father saw it when it first came out in 1939 … It is the first time we saw a movie in color. So the exclusivity made it very special.” Heidig said.
When visitors to the collection first saw the crystal ball, they were thrilled to see “something from this important movie is here,” Heidig said. Many people “stay and watch large section of the movie” projected beside the crystal ball.
“It may be not as special for younger generations. … [But] there are people of my age and older, they have tears in their eyes. They are just moved,” Heidig said. “You see their eyes light up, you see their smiles.”
The crystal ball brings with it additional connections to the University: the actor who played the wizard in the movie, Frank Morgan ’1921, attended Cornell for one year in 1909, and Maud Gage Baum ’82, the wife of the author of the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Lyman Frank Baum, also attended Cornell in 1881-1882, before dropping out of Cornell to marry him.
“[The crystal ball] is a nice association with our witchcraft materials, and again it is associated with our history of our first President who is a book collector,” Heidig said. “We have the largest collection of witchcraft materials in North America [thanks to him].”
When “Hundreds of hundreds of people” attended Cornell Bring Your Child To Work Day on April 26 — the day after the crystal ball arrived — many made a visit to Kroch Library to see the crystal ball at Cornell.
“I don’t know who will enjoy it more, the young children or the adults, but everyone who saw the movie want to be able to stand there and tell people about this thing,” Heidig said. “Seeing their smiling and laughing and taking lots of pictures and taking lots of selfies, it was really fun. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
The famous crystal ball from "The Wizard of Oz" will sit alongside the Cornell University Library's witchcraft collection until June 25.
Akko's friendship with Lotte and Sucy is a central part of the story, and they support and encourage each other throughout their time at Luna Nova. The book also emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and following one's dreams, even in the face of adversity. The illustrations in the book are beautifully done and bring the characters and the magical world to life. The story is fast-paced and engaging, with plenty of action, humor, and heartwarming moments. Little Witch Academia has gained a loyal following since its release, and has been adapted into an anime television series and a film. It has garnered praise for its endearing characters, imaginative world-building, and positive messages. Overall, Little Witch Academia is a delightful book series that will appeal to fans of fantasy, magic, and stories of friendship and self-discovery. Whether you are a young reader or simply young at heart, this book is sure to charm and inspire you..
Reviews for "Little Witch Academia book: A magical guide to friendship and teamwork"
1. Sarah - 2/5 Stars - I found "Little Witch Academia" to be quite underwhelming. The plot felt disjointed and lacked depth. Additionally, the characters were poorly developed and lacked relatability. Overall, I found it difficult to connect with the story or feel any genuine interest in the events unfolding. It was a disappointing read for me.
2. Michael - 1/5 Stars - I was extremely disappointed with "Little Witch Academia" as it failed to deliver any sense of originality or compelling storytelling. The plot was predictable and lacked the necessary elements to keep me engaged. The dialogue felt forced, and the attempts at humor fell flat. I was hoping for a unique and imaginative tale, but unfortunately, this book didn't meet my expectations at all.
3. Emma - 2/5 Stars - I was excited to dive into the world of witches with "Little Witch Academia," but I ended up feeling let down. The pacing was inconsistent, with some parts dragging on while others seemed rushed. The writing style didn't resonate with me, as it lacked the descriptive elements that could have brought the magical elements to life. Perhaps this book would appeal to a younger audience, but for me, it didn't offer much substance.
4. Jacob - 2/5 Stars - "Little Witch Academia" left me feeling unsatisfied. The story felt like a hodgepodge of familiar tropes without offering anything new or exciting. The character development was weak, and the relationships between the characters felt superficial. While the concept of a witch school is intriguing, the execution fell short for me. I was hoping for a captivating adventure, but unfortunately, this book didn't deliver.