“The Little Witch” and her mute cat, the new Berry book by Stéphane Branger and Corinne Saint-M’Leux

“Where is your new text?? » For two years, the illustrator Corinne de Saint-M'Leux requested a new story from her writing companion, Stéphane Branger. “We created two children's Books together, we wanted to continue the adventure,” explains the author and poet who shares his life between Bourges and Sancerre.

Stéphane Branger thinks, takes notes. He imagines a tale that is embedded in Berry, “even if the references are subtle”. “I wanted to talk about shyness and friendship. » The main character of the Little Witchwhich has just been released, is a little girl with magical powers.

“Save us from the hunters”

If her cat is mute – “like a neighbor's cat”, remembers the author – the little witch hears the animals speak and understands them. “They tell him “Save us from the hunters”. » The little girl then transforms the doe into a shepherdess, the fox into a gardener, the wild boar into a blacksmith. The hunters are sent far away, to the Grand Moulin.

The Little Witch is a tender book. Ink, watercolor, gouache… the illustrator does not refrain from any technique. His drawing is full of delicious details, like this cat drying on the washing line.

Marie-Claire Raymond