Emma the witch returns in this fifth picture-book devoted to her tangles with nasty older witches Dolores and Lavinia, this time making a New Year's resolution to be kinder to her tormentors. Unfortunately for her, Dolores and Lavinia have made resolutions to be even nastier to her, tricking her and her friends to dig out their snow-covered walkway, and refusing to invite her to their New Year's Eve party. Deciding that the tables must be turned, Emma launches a campaign to trick the two into believing they've slept for twenty years, and that the planet is being invaded by aliens...

Like its predecessors before it - Yuck!, Emma, Fried Feathers for Thanksgiving and Happy Valentine's Day, Emma! - Un-Happy New Year, Emma continues to present a more humorous, prickly take on the witchy tale. Many such stories that I have read - and witchy picture-books are a pet project of mine - would have the nasty witches reformed, or in some way softened, but James Stevenson allows Dolores and Lavinia to remain as nasty as ever, often leading to humorous hi-jinks, as Emma faces off against them and beats them at their own game. Although enjoyable, I do think these books are a bit formulaic, once you have read one or two, as the story tends to unfold in the same way. Having said that, fans of Emma the witch will still enjoy this one, as will those seeking more humorous and less sweet witchy fare. ( )