Tiffany Aching's Guide to Being a Witch

Based on the five Tiffany Aching books written by Terry Pratchett, which include his final novel The Shepherd’s Crown, this illustrated and practical guide to being a witch in Discworld, covers everything readers have ever wanted to know from telling the bees to magical cheese, working with other witches to dealing with elves, tending flocks to fending off forces from other worlds. It’s ostensibly written by witch Tiffany herself, but is in fact the work of Terry Pratchett’s daughter Rhianna, ably assisted by author Gabrielle Kent, with multiple, detailed illustrations by Paul Kidby, Pratchett’s ‘artist of choice’ (and no wonder). It is a thing of beauty that will delight fans of the series. Treats include an introduction to the Nac Mac Feegle or Wee Free Men – forewarned is forearmed as they say, though Tiffany advises any arming you do includes your fastest boots and a bottle of Special Sheep Linament… All entries are annotated, with handwritten notes by characters including Nanny Ogg, Esmerelda Weatherwax and Miss Perspicacia Tick, and ‘helpful corrections’ from Letice Earwig. It’s a book for those who love the Tiffany Aching books, The Wee Free Men, A Hat Full of Sky, Wintersmith, I Shall Wear Midnight and The Shepherd’s Crown. Everyone else should read them first to fully appreciate the glories of this.

Rhianna Pratchett and Gabrielle Kent write about the creation of the book in this special article for Books for Keeps.