Exuberant wordplay and a wryly witty narrative distinguish this broadly humorous and endearing fantasy in which a young goatherd’s charges escape their servitude. . . . Stead’s narrative voice is warm, intimate, and slightly goofy, enveloping the reader in the storytelling process. Running jokes invite giggles, homey adages are sandwiched between tiny goat silhouettes, and Latin phrases (many hilariously misused) and their translations pepper the text. Atmospheric, whimsical drawings enhance this story, which will please fans of Norton Juster and Terry Pratchett. . . . A perfect amount of magic.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Phil Stead’s debut novel is a ‘Dada’ playbook of crafty nonsense that takes the genre of cut-ups, dice-rolls, and winks to the reader and tumbles them into a clever reading romp. The story refreshes itself as it deftly shifts about, turning the structure into a medley of charming mischief. Duchamp would approve! You don’t have to know why you are reading it—just read it at full speed and enjoy!
—Jack Gantos, Newbery Honor–winning author of Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key
A Potion, a Powder, a Little Bit of Magic is exactly right. Wildly funny, completely discombobulated, and deeply heartfelt. A must-read for all humans, and goats.
——Jon Scieszka, National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature and New York Times bestselling author of The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!
You know how when you tell a story you start in the middle, then you back up, add characters, jump forward, and then try to tie it all together but you can’t? Well, that’s what Philip Stead does in A Potion, a Powder, a Little Bit of Magic. Only he can. You know, tie it all together. And he adds twenty-four morals. Here’s one more: ‘Read this book and rejoice.’
—Chris Raschka, two-time Caldecott Medal winner and Hans Christian Andersen Medal nominee
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