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IF YOUR BABYSITTER IS A BRUJA by Ana Siqueira

February 15, 2022 12:00 pm

by Ana Siqueira

IF YOUR BABYSITTER IS A BRUJA…you must learn some new tricks to escape from her spells.

¡Cuidado! You might regret it.

This book is based on my experience being a Mom witch for some long minutes. Yes, for the longest three-block walk ever, my three-year-old daughter decided to shout: “You’re not my real mom. You’re a witch!” Imagine my situation. And all because I told her, “No, you can’t dive for the last 100th time.”

This story that marinated in my head for over 20 years, is finally a book. But I changed Mom to a babysitter.

And here is the premise:

On the night before Halloween, a new babysitter might be more than she appears. If she wears a black sombrero and cackles like a crow, she might just be a bruja! One little girl is determined not to fall victim to this witch or her cats. Is bath time a bruja’s way of putting her in a boiling cauldron? Can she keep la bruja at bay with a magic potion? Can she get the bruja trapped in the enchanted tower or maybe make her disappear forever?

With boundless imagination and plenty of tricks up her sleeve, the young protagonist may just have the best night ever!

To celebrate the creation of this book illustrated by the fabulosa Irena Freitas, I’m promoting a pre-order giveaway.

If you pre-order this book and send the receipt through my website contact form, I will either:

These offers are valid from February 15th to March 15th.

Also, leave a comment below with any question about writing picture books and I’ll reply!

IF YOUR BABYSITTER IS A BRUJA also comes in Spanish—CUANDO TU NIÑERA ES UNA BRUJA—Illustrated by Irena Freitas, edited by Alyza Liu (Simon and Schuster, August 23rd, 2022).

Check out some spreads below and even a book trailer with an original song. (Be careful. Cuidado! It’s too catchy. Hahaha) by my seven-year-old grandson, Luka.)

 

Irena Freitas is an author & illustrator currently based in Manaus, Brazil, working for clients internationally. She has an MFA in Illustration from Savannah College of Arts and Design and loves illustrating people, funny situations that happen in our daily life, and whimsical stories. When she is not reading and illustrating books she likes to travel and visit new places.

Visit her at irenafreitas.com.

Ana Siqueira is an award-winning author from Brazil who cackles but doesn’t wear hats. When not flying with brujas, she teaches Spanish to adorable little ones, where she casts a learning spell that nobody can resist. Ana has published IF YOUR BABYSITTER IS A BRUJA, BELLA’S RECIPE FOR SUCCESS (Beaming Books), and EL PATO QUIERE UVAS (Educational Market- Teacher’s Discovery). More books coming in 2023 and 2024. She loves being an abuela and a vovó to her Cuban-Brazilian-American grandkids. She lives in Florida with her husband, who just might be a wizard. Visit her at anafiction.com and you can get signed copies of her book at Tombolo Books.

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Posted by Tara Lazar

Categories: Picture Books

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85 Responses to “IF YOUR BABYSITTER IS A BRUJA by Ana Siqueira”

  1. This sounds wonderful! Can’t wait to read it!

    By Christina Dendy on February 15, 2022 at 12:07 pm

    1. Thanks. Gracias.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 15, 2022 at 12:38 pm

  2. I love the premise for this!

    By Laura Rackham on February 15, 2022 at 12:12 pm

    1. 😊 Thanks.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 15, 2022 at 12:33 pm

  3. Sounds fun! Best wishes in 2022.

    By Leslie Eva Tayloe on February 15, 2022 at 12:12 pm

    1. Thanks, Leslie. Same to you: a fabuloso 2022.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 15, 2022 at 12:34 pm

  4. It’s interesting how you mix English and Spanish within the same sentence.

    By Bethanny Parker on February 15, 2022 at 12:22 pm

    1. In my real life I mix three languages in one sentence. Portuguese, English and Spanish. 😂

      By asiqueira1307 on February 15, 2022 at 12:35 pm

      1. but do you have any rules of thumb for when it works to incorporate non English words? I’ve ready manuscripts where it works…and where it doesn’t. Do you just go with what sounds right to you? Is it more instinctive? Or is it strategic?

        By savoringeverymoment on February 15, 2022 at 1:34 pm

      2. @savoringeverymoment – I am a Spanish teacher and I teach through stories, so I think I am used to mixing the languages when needed. But my rule of thumb is – use cognates and words that can be illustrated.

        By asiqueira1307 on February 15, 2022 at 2:04 pm

  5. Fantastic! Putting it on my wish list. Felicidades!

    By Claire A. B. Freeland on February 15, 2022 at 12:23 pm

    1. Thanks. Mucha Suerte en tus proyectos.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 15, 2022 at 12:37 pm

  6. Sounds like so much fun!! And funny!! Congrats, Ana. Can’t wait to read this.

    By Karyn Friedman-Everham on February 15, 2022 at 12:26 pm

    1. Thanks. Aren’t the illustrations super sneaky and funny?

      By asiqueira1307 on February 15, 2022 at 12:37 pm

  7. Congratulations, Ana! I remember this story!

    By Kim A Larson on February 15, 2022 at 12:29 pm

    1. How have you been? Missing your stories.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 15, 2022 at 12:35 pm

  8. Congrats! I remember hearing about this story on webinars with Mira. It was a great idea, so I’m glad it found its home.

    By Author Anna Maledon on February 15, 2022 at 12:47 pm

    1. Yes. This was a golden nugget from CBA.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 15, 2022 at 1:58 pm

  9. This book sounds like so much fun! I can’t wait to read it. Congratulations!

    By Linda Staszak on February 15, 2022 at 12:55 pm

    1. Thanks. And the illustrations add so much energy, right?

      By asiqueira1307 on February 15, 2022 at 1:59 pm

      1. Exactly! And it’s so nice to see a witch who isn’t scary and won’t give you nightmares!

        By Linda Staszak on February 15, 2022 at 3:19 pm

  10. Love this fun idea!

    By Melanie Ellsworth on February 15, 2022 at 1:36 pm

    1. Thanks. The story is fun and the illustrations are wonderful.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 15, 2022 at 2:01 pm

    2. Such a funny story–the real-life one and the fictional one. You are very clever! Did you work on this on and off for the 20 years, or did you just start it recently? If recently, had you worked out the whole story in your head first, for the rough draft? Do you have suggestions on when/how to incorporate non-English words, any rules of thumb? BTW, your grandson is a great writer, composer, and singer!

      By karenlee on February 15, 2022 at 2:02 pm

      1. Thanks. I will let him know. My rule of thumb – use cognates or words that can be illustrated, don’t use complicated adverbs or adjectives. I wrote this story in 2019, but it has been marinating in my brain for a while. I stopped writing when I came from Brazil but the story stayed there.

        By asiqueira1307 on February 15, 2022 at 2:05 pm

  11. Thanks for sharing! You said you got the idea for the story 20 years ago?! Was it always in the back of your mind or did you jot it down and forget about it and come across it? When did you write the first draft?

    By savoringeverymoment on February 15, 2022 at 1:40 pm

    1. A long time ago I wrote and published some books in Brazil. Then when I moved here I quit writing. But the story was there marinating, I guess. When I decided to go back to writing- in 2019 – this was the third story I wrote. And I had to do a lot of revisions with my critique partners.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 15, 2022 at 2:01 pm

  12. Congrats, Ana!!

    By Janice Woods on February 15, 2022 at 1:55 pm

    1. Thanks. How are you?

      By asiqueira1307 on February 15, 2022 at 2:02 pm

  13. A nice twist on a theme; great idea

    By readmybook2002 on February 15, 2022 at 1:59 pm

    1. Thanks.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 15, 2022 at 2:02 pm

  14. Congrats, Ana and Irena! Love the story and the art!

    By Jilanne Hoffmann on February 15, 2022 at 2:27 pm

    1. Thanks. Her art is so fun.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 15, 2022 at 2:44 pm

  15. I love it. What a great way to “stew” on an idea!

    By Reed Hilton-Eddy on February 15, 2022 at 2:50 pm

    1. Thanks.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 15, 2022 at 3:09 pm

  16. Congratulations, Ana! Can’t wait to read the book!

    By Sarah Meade on February 15, 2022 at 3:07 pm

    1. Thanks. Did you critique this one too?

      By asiqueira1307 on February 15, 2022 at 3:09 pm

      1. Yes 🙂

        By Sarah Meade on February 15, 2022 at 4:29 pm

  17. Love this! Love the premise & the playfulness; the mixture of Spanish and English; the child’s imagination. Also excellent idea for promotion and getting early orders. Congratulations on a wonderful book!

    By Colbert Bronte on February 15, 2022 at 3:17 pm

    1. Thanks. it’s a fun book and the illustrations add a lot.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 15, 2022 at 4:53 pm

  18. This sounds fantastic! Looking forward to reading it. Congratulations,Ana & Irena!

    By pathaap on February 15, 2022 at 3:38 pm

    1. Thanks.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 15, 2022 at 3:45 pm

  19. Congratulations, Ana! I’m looking forward to reading your book 🙂

    By chardixon47 on February 15, 2022 at 3:58 pm

    1. Thanks 😊

      By asiqueira1307 on February 15, 2022 at 4:54 pm

  20. Congrats, Ana & Irena!

    By Marci Whitehurst on February 15, 2022 at 4:20 pm

    1. Thanks. I am so lucky to have such a fun illustrator.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 15, 2022 at 4:54 pm

  21. I love the premise: many congratulations, Ana.

    By Harshita Jerath on February 15, 2022 at 4:33 pm

    1. Thanks. I hope you enjoy reading it.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 15, 2022 at 4:55 pm

  22. Congratulations Ana! I remember you working on this in one of Mira’s classes and it is so awesome to see the final product. Congratulations!!!

    By Laura Bower on February 15, 2022 at 5:13 pm

    1. Thanks. This was sold due to a golden nugget from Mira’s Class.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 15, 2022 at 9:54 pm

  23. Congratulations, Ana! It sounds so fun! I pre-ordered my copy.

    By Donna Rossman on February 15, 2022 at 5:45 pm

    1. Thanks.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 16, 2022 at 7:26 am

  24. Very, Very, VERY CUTE book!

    By kathydoherty1 on February 15, 2022 at 6:54 pm

    1. Thanks.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 16, 2022 at 7:26 am

  25. I’m impressed that after 20 yrs, you hadn’t given up on this fun idea! Glad it’s becoming an enchanting book (and wow, I would have loved my babysitter to have been a bruja!)

    By yangmommy on February 15, 2022 at 6:57 pm

    1. Me too. I would love this bruja. She has to be the most fun and patient babysitter ever.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 15, 2022 at 9:56 pm

      1. Hahaha! 🙂

        By yangmommy on February 17, 2022 at 6:08 pm

  26. Love the fact that you let this marinate for so long to get to just the right consistency. Patience is a virtue and necessity in this business.

    By Stephen S. Martin on February 15, 2022 at 7:05 pm

    1. Yes, it is. I quit writing for a long time, but I had to come back. And I’m happy I did.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 15, 2022 at 9:55 pm

  27. Your latest book sounds like another wonderful book that kids will love. I loved listening to Luka singing his song on the book trailer.

    By gloriaamescua on February 15, 2022 at 9:16 pm

    1. He will be happy to know. Thanks, amiga.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 15, 2022 at 9:55 pm

  28. Love that you made a “Mom Moment” into a PB. I definitely have some less than glamorous mom moments to use as idea starters.
    So glad you changed the mom to a babysitter….to “protect the innocent”. Haha

    By Alicia Shawn Gagnon on February 15, 2022 at 10:02 pm

    1. Hahaha. I am looking forward to hearing your ideas.

      By Ana Siqueira on February 15, 2022 at 11:08 pm

  29. This sounds like such a fun book! And I love the illustration style! Congratulations!

    By Andrea Mack on February 16, 2022 at 8:48 am

    1. Thannks.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 16, 2022 at 3:29 pm

  30. Love witch stories. I have a few Strega stories of my own.

    By Antoinette Truglio Martin on February 16, 2022 at 11:32 am

    1. I love Baba Yaga.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 16, 2022 at 3:29 pm

  31. Congrats Ana! It’s good to know that ideas can marinate for a long time and still come to fruition.

    By Sylvia Mary Grech on February 16, 2022 at 3:37 pm

    1. Yes, they are there even when you don’t realize it.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 16, 2022 at 9:00 pm

  32. I love the back story! Thank you for sharing, Ana!

    By Dena Davis on February 16, 2022 at 4:17 pm

    1. Now I laugh, but it was not fun when it happened. Imagine my embarrassment. Hahaha.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 16, 2022 at 9:01 pm

  33. This looks fantastic!

    By David McMullin on February 16, 2022 at 8:22 pm

    1. Thank you, David.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 16, 2022 at 9:01 pm

  34. I remember reading the draft you were working on with notes from the editor. The illustrator is the perfect fit. Congratulations, Ana! I can’t wait to read it in book form this time.

    By Ashley Sierra (@AshleySierra06) on February 17, 2022 at 1:59 am

    1. 😊 Thanks.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 23, 2022 at 1:37 am

  35. Oh I love this! What a clever idea! Congratulations, Ana!

    By Suzanne Lewis on February 17, 2022 at 10:58 am

    1. 😊 Thanks.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 23, 2022 at 1:36 am

  36. Luka is awesome! Good luck with your release 🙂

    By Aly Kenna on February 17, 2022 at 10:14 pm

    1. I’m suspicious, but I agree with your statement about Luka.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 23, 2022 at 1:38 am

  37. I love this whole post. And the books sounds hysterical.

    By Sarah Tobias on February 20, 2022 at 10:17 am

    1. The illustrations are so fun. The girl is so sneaky.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 23, 2022 at 1:39 am

  38. Congratulations on your book, Ana! This looks adorable!!

    By Abby Wooldridge on February 21, 2022 at 1:05 pm

    1. Thanks.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 23, 2022 at 1:39 am

  39. Huge congratulations, Ana! This book sounds so fun!!

    By Janet Johnson on February 21, 2022 at 2:59 pm

    1. It was fun writing it, even though I wrote over 20 versions.

      By asiqueira1307 on February 23, 2022 at 1:40 am

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