Witch stories are a popular genre in German children’s literature and Flora Flitzebesen is an especially nice character. The series is very sweetly illustrated by author-illustrator Eleni Livanios and portrays a mixed-gender friend group of young witches and fairies in a small town where everyone has magical powers. In the first book, Flora Flitzebesen is the youngest-ever winner of the annual broomstick race in Hexenrosental. She and her friends are always ready to help when someone is in trouble or injustice is happening and her speedy flying usually comes in handy. Livanios does a lot of work to bring the village of Hexenrosenstädtchen to life and to create a community of memorable characters who reappear across the series; issues of fairness, including both social and ecological justice, frequently drive the plot lines. The mains series is written for ages 6+ (read aloud or independently), and there is also a graded reader spin-off series for beginning readers.
- Das Geheimnis im Hexenwald — Flora discovers that the ambitious wizard Turdus Merula is mistreating the magical animals in his care. She and her friends hatch a daring plan to free them.
- Aufruhr der wilden Wetterhexen — Wild weather is battering the Hexenrosental and destroying the leaf-houses of the delicate Helfen elves. Flora suspects the obstinate weather witches are behind it.
- Schulausflug ins Abenteuer — A school trip leads Flora’s class to a ruined, abandoned village devastated by the sinister Grautriste — creatures that spread grief and suspicion. Refugees from the village arrive in Hexenrosental, and the Grautriste follow.
- Zauberlehrling und Drachenzähmer — Flora must study hard for her witchcraft exams — but then news arrives from her father, a dragon-tamer working in a faraway valley, that something has gone terribly wrong.
- Winterzauber im Hexendorf — The year draws to a close with a winter adventure in the Hexenrosental, as Flora and her friends face a new threat to their magical community.
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