At The Collective Book Studio, we have the unique privilege of bringing remarkable stories to life. In some special cases, the origin story is just as compelling as the book itself. The Knitting Witch is a tale that has woven its way from a cherished family memory into a beautifully illustrated book soon to be placed into the hands of eager readers everywhere.

A Rediscovered Gem

The story of The Knitting Witch begins in the 1950s with author Norma Kassirer, known for her classic Magic Elizabeth. Before she penned that beloved book, Norma wrote The Knitting Witch and would read it to her young daughters, Karen and Sue Kassirer. Sue remembers being thoroughly enchanted by the tale.

Years passed, and in 2013, while sorting through her late mother’s writing room, Sue discovered the original manuscript, typed on onion skin paper with Norma’s trusty Royal typewriter, buried under a pile of other stories. The familiar typeface and the title, The Knitting Witch, at the top of the first page flooded Sue with happy memories. Captivated by the story once more, Sue knew she had to preserve and share it.

Drawing on her many years as a children’s book editor, Sue meticulously updated the manuscript. She carefully edited it to maintain Norma’s signature voice, renamed the main character Ivy Lou, and divided the story into chapters. She then shared it with her dear friends Barbara and Mark Richardson. Mark, a talented artist and illustrator, brought the tale to life with his wonderful illustrations and bound a small print run of gorgeous handmade books.

Wanting to get the book into more little hands, Sue decided to seek out a publisher with the distribution to do so. And this is how The Knitting Witch landed in The Collective Book Studio submission inbox.

A Submission That Shone Like a “Magical Star”

As someone who often goes through our submissions, I can tell you it sometimes feels like a chore. However, when I came across The Knitting Witch, it was like discovering a little diamond (or a magical star borne from a single kiss!). The book felt classic, reminiscent of a Maurice Sendak masterpiece, yet it had a freshness and a clear voice of its own. The submission included rich, wonderful illustrations that complemented the story perfectly. It had everything I look for in a children's book: engaging narrative, magical elements, and beautiful artwork. It was magical, and I knew right away that this book needed to be on our list and in the hands of children everywhere.

The team at The Collective Book Studio is thrilled to have been included in the story behind the story of The Knitting Witch, and couldn’t be happier with the stunning final edition, complete with shimmering foil on the cover, that will enchant shelves everywhere in September!