Exploring the Different Types of Spells in the White Magick Book

A white magic book, also known as a grimoire or a book of spells, is a text containing instructions on how to practice white magic. White magic is a form of witchcraft or occultism that aims to use supernatural powers for good purposes and to help others. The white magic book typically includes a variety of spells, rituals, and incantations that practitioners can use to bring about positive changes in their lives or the lives of others. These spells can range from simple rituals for protection or healing, to more complex spells for love, prosperity, or success. In addition to spells, a white magic book may also contain information on other aspects of magic, such as divination, charms, and talismans. Divination techniques, such as tarot card readings or crystal ball gazing, are often used to gain insight or guidance in white magic practice.

Grizelda was always pretty feisty but I have to be honest and say those things you mention grew enormously as the plot developed. I owe a lot to my publisher, Maverick, for that. I initially wrote it as a funny book but Maverick saw potential in the premise for something a bit deeper and Kim Nye (the Managing Editor) encouraged me to really bring out Grizelda’s character and give it a strong theme.

As for what children will take from it, it s not for me to decide and I always like to leave that to the reader but at heart I suppose it s a story about self-confidence and not being afraid to stand your ground. As girls are particularly vulnerable to cultural standards that dictate how their bodies should look, it s especially important to see a female character defy these.

Divination techniques, such as tarot card readings or crystal ball gazing, are often used to gain insight or guidance in white magic practice. Charms and talismans, on the other hand, are objects infused with magical energy that are believed to bring about certain desired outcomes. It is important to note that white magic is typically associated with positive intentions and ethical practices.

Which Nose for Witch? by David Crosby & Carolina Coroa: Review + Interview

David Crosby is a rising star of the picture book world. His debut, Pirates vs. Monsters, won the prestigious Bishop's Stortford Award in 2021, despite being up against books by well-established and even famous authors. His second story, the hilarious and heartwarming Halloween-themed tale Which Nose for Witch?, has just been published.

We were delighted to chat to David about his amazing books and how he creates them. Read our review of Which Nose for Witch? and learn what inspired this story. Discover David's tips for successful rhyming, what it's like to share a name with a celebrity and which nose he would choose for himself.

So, what's this story about?

As witches come of age, it's traditional for them to swap their 'baby nose' for a grown-up (and hideous) one. When it's time for Grizelda to choose hers from The Conk Boutique, she encounters a problem. Grizelda can't find anything suitable, but could the solution to her predicament be as plain as the nose on her face?

What can we learn?

Just because something is expected, doesn't mean it's right, and even if something hasn't been done before, that doesn’t make it impossible.

What makes this stand out? This is an entirely unique take on the typical witch tale, with a fabulously self-confident main character and a wonderful mother-daughter relationship at its heart.

About the illustrations. They're fantastic — so animated and amusing! There are lots of clever background details like mischievous mice, candle-lit mirrors and a witch-specific notice board which enrich Grizelda's world. I love the little star ornament on Grizelda's broomstick, the spider that's always suspended from her hair and how rustic her mother's wand is. The facial expressions and body language of the characters makes them and their interactions even more real and relatable.

Why we love it.

Grizelda encourages children to break the mould and resist the pressure to conform to the ideals of others. As girls are particularly vulnerable to cultural standards that dictate how their bodies should look, it's especially important to see a female character defy these. I think we've all been either Mum or Grizelda at different times in our lives! It's brilliant to see such a relatable scenario, despite the magical setting.

Why you need it. Grizelda is an excellent role model who isn't afraid to trust herself or stand by her convictions. I love how comfortable she is in her own skin. As children and parents are mirrored in its pages, Which Nose for Witch? will appeal to both. Although this book is ideal for reading as Halloween approaches, it's an empowering and entertaining story suitable for any time of the year.

Watch a trailer for Which Nose for Witch?:

Read our Q&A with author David Crosby.

Which Nose for Witch? is an interesting and highly original take on witches! How did you get the idea for this story and what do you hope children will take from it?

Everything came from the idea that all witches are born with your “average” nose and reach a day in their childhood when they get to choose their grown-up witch nose.

My original plan was for a high concept book with the title “A Witch’s Guide to Picking Your Nose” and I remember thinking it could be like a guide book – pick a nose shape, now choose how many warts and so on – and I could get in loads of funny words for “nose” such as “conk”, “schnozz”, “beak” and the like and then get some laughs from the apparent drawbacks of each choice. I imagined it looking a bit like Oi Frog with very comedic and vivid illustrations.

I also had rather grand thoughts that it could come with a reflective “hall of mirrors” type final page to give children and their grown-ups a laugh and even a face filter app where you can pick your own witch’s nose. Of course, those things cost fortunes so I remembered I’m not Julia Donaldson and put such thoughts from my mind!

Anyway, there was a flaw in my plan, which is that there are really only two or three archetypal shapes when it comes to witches’ noses – long and pointy, or hook-shaped, or a combination of those two – and I didn’t think I could stretch the idea far enough for a 12 spread plus picture book.

So, I ended up coming up with a proper “narrative” story instead in which we follow a young witch on the day she gets to choose her grown-up witch nose. Grizelda was born! As for what children will take from it, it’s not for me to decide and I always like to leave that to the reader but at heart I suppose it’s a story about self-confidence and not being afraid to stand your ground.

I love how confident, brave and self-assured Grizelda is. She isn’t afraid to speak her mind, trust her instincts, go against tradition and do what she wants. Was this an important element of the story from the beginning or did it emerge as the plot developed?

Grizelda was always pretty feisty but I have to be honest and say those things you mention grew enormously as the plot developed. I owe a lot to my publisher, Maverick, for that. I initially wrote it as a funny book but Maverick saw potential in the premise for something a bit deeper and Kim Nye (the Managing Editor) encouraged me to really bring out Grizelda’s character and give it a strong theme.

My first book, Pirates vs. Monsters, barely changed from submission to final version but this one went through a lot of drafts and development. I had so much support from Kim and Juliet West at Maverick throughout. It was tough at times and it was a steep learning curve but I feel I really improved my writing as a result of Kim and Juliet’s challenge and guidance. Maverick are known for championing and supporting new authors and that reputation is well-deserved.

It must have been exciting to see Carolina’s illustrations for the first time! Were Grizelda and the various noses just as you’d imagined?

It was! Getting the illustrations back is always the most exciting part of the picture book process. They’re never exactly as you imagine them because obviously illustrators aren’t mind readers and can’t see inside your head! But make no mistake, illustrators are the magicians of the picture book world. I’m in awe of them. I don’t know how they do it. I absolutely loved Griz and her mum – they are adorable and have a cinematic quality. I think you can feel the love in their mother/daughter relationship in the illustrations and, judging by the feedback we’re getting, it’s really connecting with readers. Carolina went above and beyond with those noses – there were more than I could ever have possibly imagined!

Do you have a favourite spread from the book and if so, which is it and why?

Ah man why did you have to ask that? It’s too hard to choose! I’m torn between three. I love the one that ended up on the front cover, where Griz is holding the jar with a nose in it. I'm also fond of the final spread, with a very confident looking Griz on her broomstick in front of the parade of shops. And I really like the one where Griz and her mum first enter The Conk Boutique. They have that look of sheer wonder in their eyes; I love her mum’s expression in this one. Oh go on, it’s the one in The Conk Boutique then! That’s actually the one Carolina did as an initial sample too.

Which nose, if any, would you choose for yourself?

I think any nose would be better than my nose! It’s been bashed and bent in my footballing days by flying elbows! It’s funny because a strong nose is a bit of a family trait (some family members might say a curse ha!) so I’m quietly amused that I’ve ended up having this book about noses published. If I had to choose, I’d have to go for the pointy one with two warts on the end for pure comedy value. Although I do enjoy an ice cream, so I’d probably regret it come the summer!

My first book, Pirates vs. Monsters, barely changed from submission to final version but this one went through a lot of drafts and development. I had so much support from Kim and Juliet West at Maverick throughout. It was tough at times and it was a steep learning curve but I feel I really improved my writing as a result of Kim and Juliet’s challenge and guidance. Maverick are known for championing and supporting new authors and that reputation is well-deserved.

Practitioners of white magic strive to use their powers responsibly and with the best interests of themselves and others in mind. Unlike black magic, which is often seen as harmful or manipulative, white magic focuses on healing, protection, and the betterment of oneself and the world. The contents of a white magic book can vary widely depending on the author or tradition it originates from. Some books may focus on a specific aspect of white magic, such as herbalism or candle magic, while others may provide a comprehensive overview of various magical practices. In conclusion, a white magic book is a valuable resource for those interested in practicing white magic. It contains instructions, spells, and rituals that practitioners can use to bring about positive changes in their lives and the lives of others. By using white magic responsibly and ethically, individuals can tap into their own inner power and contribute to the well-being of themselves and the world around them..

Reviews for "Exploring the Ethics and Morality of White Magick in the Book of Spells"

1. Joshua - 1 star - I found "White Magix Book" to be incredibly underwhelming. The spells and rituals described in the book seemed amateurish and lacked any real substance. I was hoping for a comprehensive guide to white magic, but instead, I got a collection of basic and generic practices that I could have easily found on the internet. Overall, I was highly disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone serious about learning and practicing white magic.

2. Emily - 2 stars - As someone who is new to the world of magic, I was excited to get my hands on "White Magix Book." However, I found the content to be quite confusing and poorly explained. The book assumes a certain level of prior knowledge and often left me feeling lost and frustrated. Additionally, the writing style was dry and lacked any real passion or enthusiasm for the subject matter. I believe there are better books out there for beginners looking to explore white magic.

3. Michael - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "White Magix Book" but found it to be a disappointing read. The information presented in the book felt repetitive and lacked depth. It seemed more like a collection of random thoughts and ideas rather than a cohesive guide to white magic. I also felt that the author could have provided more practical examples and instructions instead of vague descriptions. Overall, I found the book to be lacking substance and would not recommend it to anyone looking for an in-depth exploration of white magic.

4. Samantha - 1 star - I found "White Magix Book" to be a complete waste of my time and money. The information provided in the book was incredibly basic and felt like a mere overview of white magic. The spells and rituals mentioned were nothing new or unique, and I could have easily found the same information online for free. The book seemed more like a quick cash grab rather than a genuine effort to provide valuable knowledge to readers. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone serious about studying white magic.

Unlocking the Secrets of White Magick Healing Spells in the Book