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[ Wizard at Work ] WIZARD AT WORK by Vande Velde, Vivian ( Author ) ON Aug - 01 - 2004 Paperback
The wizard has big summer To garden, fish, and nap. The only thing better would be if he had someone nice to share the days with. But the only people who show up want him to rescue yet another princess, lift the usual vile curse, confront a fearsome ghost, deal with a pack of magical hooligans, harvest a crop of golden cucumbers, and on and on. . . . With everything he has to do, it's no wonder the wizard is all by himself! Who'd want to help him do all of that?
Paperback
First published April 1, 2003
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About the author
Vivian Vande Velde
51 books994 followersVivian Vande Velde (born 1951, currently residing in Rochester, New York) is an American author who writes books primarily aimed at young adults.
Her novels and short story collections usually have some element of horror or fantasy, but are primarily humorous. Her book Never Trust a Dead Man (1999) received the 2000 Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Novel. She says that she really likes to write for children. She likes to do school talks to children. She does many book conventions and also gives writing classes.
Her novels and short story collections usually have some element of horror or fantasy, but are primarily humorous. Her book Never Trust a Dead Man (1999) received the 2000 Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Novel. She says that she really likes to write for children. She likes to do school talks to children. She does many book conventions and also gives writing classes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
June 6, 2007
A very lighthearted story about a wizard going about his daily duties while on vacation from the academy he teaches at.
All the stories are connected thinly, but not so much you couldn't read them out of order if you wanted to. The conventions of what wizards are, the way they are thought of, and the basics of fairy tales are unceremoniously thrown up into the air to see how they fall.
Fun to read.
All the stories are connected thinly, but not so much you couldn't read them out of order if you wanted to. The conventions of what wizards are, the way they are thought of, and the basics of fairy tales are unceremoniously thrown up into the air to see how they fall.
Fun to read.
November 8, 2016
I do love Vande Velde's work, especially her light & humorous juveniles. The only problem with this - too short! So, was the witch cursing him, or just giving free advice, when she said, "You'll never find true happiness until you learn to be less judgemental and look beyond the surface of things." - ? Don't get me wrong, though - mostly it's the people who hire the wizard who are given a chance to learn a lesson, not the wizard himself. And yet... do any of them actually do so?
October 1, 2019
Humorous and satisfying story, with suggestions of traditional fairy tales, but not a retelling of any particular fairy tale.
September 16, 2011
This would be a fabulous choice for younger kids who are just about to make that leap from early chapter books into "bigger kid" independent readers such as Percy Jackson or other such books on that reading level. Parents with reluctant readers who enjoy a fantasy setting should consider this book as a good choice for it's easy vocabulary and the over all structure of the book which promotes more than one reading. That is, the book is broken into chapters, each one a different tale, but still centralized around the same main character. It would be very easy to read a chapter a day to strengthen reading skills on this one. The book would do equally good for both boys and girls
A school teacher magician is finally home on summer break. He wants nothing more than to take a nap, read some books and work in his garden. But every time he settles down to do just that someone interrupts him! A princess who needs help with a difficult sister, a dragon who needs rescuing from a princess, a gang of bbq eating unicorns, and a king who thinks his castle is haunted by a ghost all need help from our lovably, grouchy wizard. But the wizard has a big lesson to learn from all these encounters - things are not always what they seem and people can never be gauged by appearances, even at the best of times, but trough magic into the mix and you're in for trouble for sure! The story finally wraps up on a final story where the wizard agrees to help the king and queen find a husband for their tom boy daughter that appropriately wraps up the story on a happy note without being overly saccharine.
Over all this wasn't the best Velde's ever done, but as usual her prose is clean and simple and she displays her usual talent for presenting a world that is fully populated and incredibly believable as a home for her characters. And while I personally didn't get a lot out of it, I am by no means the target demographic after all, I think that for it's intended audience this will do no great disservices. Recommended.
A school teacher magician is finally home on summer break. He wants nothing more than to take a nap, read some books and work in his garden. But every time he settles down to do just that someone interrupts him! A princess who needs help with a difficult sister, a dragon who needs rescuing from a princess, a gang of bbq eating unicorns, and a king who thinks his castle is haunted by a ghost all need help from our lovably, grouchy wizard. But the wizard has a big lesson to learn from all these encounters - things are not always what they seem and people can never be gauged by appearances, even at the best of times, but trough magic into the mix and you're in for trouble for sure! The story finally wraps up on a final story where the wizard agrees to help the king and queen find a husband for their tom boy daughter that appropriately wraps up the story on a happy note without being overly saccharine.
Over all this wasn't the best Velde's ever done, but as usual her prose is clean and simple and she displays her usual talent for presenting a world that is fully populated and incredibly believable as a home for her characters. And while I personally didn't get a lot out of it, I am by no means the target demographic after all, I think that for it's intended audience this will do no great disservices. Recommended.
March 3, 2009
Wizard’s school for young wizards has finally let out for the summer, and he is looking forward to gardening, fishing and relaxing. But several people come to pester him for favors this year. A princess needs rescuing from her evil stepsister’s spell, a herd of young unicorns
is wreaking havoc on a nearby village and a young man needs a ghost taken care of. The wizard is intrigued enough to help everyone that comes his way, and thus we’re treated to a series of short stories (essentially) that are rather entertaining. Vande Velde has created a
fun, quick read that pokes fun at several fairy tale-type characters, and makes several connections that not everyone will probably pick up on, but those that do can say “ah-ha!” (my favorite is the ghost turns out to be a lake monster, and the wizard moves him to a lake called Ness). A very enjoyable romp.
is wreaking havoc on a nearby village and a young man needs a ghost taken care of. The wizard is intrigued enough to help everyone that comes his way, and thus we’re treated to a series of short stories (essentially) that are rather entertaining. Vande Velde has created a
fun, quick read that pokes fun at several fairy tale-type characters, and makes several connections that not everyone will probably pick up on, but those that do can say “ah-ha!” (my favorite is the ghost turns out to be a lake monster, and the wizard moves him to a lake called Ness). A very enjoyable romp.
February 9, 2015
At about 140 pages with big type, Wizard At Work is obviously a book for younger kids. But that doesn't keep it from being TOTALLY HILARIOUS.
The book details several of "the wizard's" daily troubles as a wizard in demand. My favorite adventure is definitely the last, but all of them were just so funny. And the wizard is one of the best MCs of all younger-kids literature. The ending is just perfect. Highly recommended if you want a break from all the depressing, 'important' YA/adult books.
The book details several of "the wizard's" daily troubles as a wizard in demand. My favorite adventure is definitely the last, but all of them were just so funny. And the wizard is one of the best MCs of all younger-kids literature. The ending is just perfect. Highly recommended if you want a break from all the depressing, 'important' YA/adult books.
August 11, 2009
This is the perfect fantasy book for the reluctant reader. I really enjoyed how fairy tales were incorporated into each story.
August 29, 2009
Aww, poor unsuspecting wizard!
January 21, 2011
A good wizard can never find five minutes to tend his vegetables, let alone catch a nap. Follow our harried, local wizard as he's dragged in to clean up one magical mess after another.
September 1, 2018
It's summer, and all the wizard wants to do is relax now that school is out. But, of course, that doesn't happen. With princesses to rescue, dragons to chase, and ghosts to hunt down, a wizard's work is never done.
Told in a collection of short stories Wizard at Work is a quick read and a lot of fun. With its familiar fairy tale-style setting, somewhat apathetic hero, and convoluted storytelling style, I found it impossible to set this one down.
Reminiscent of Fractured Fairy Tales blended up with a hint of Terry Pratchett, this would make a great bedtime story or read-aloud option.
Told in a collection of short stories Wizard at Work is a quick read and a lot of fun. With its familiar fairy tale-style setting, somewhat apathetic hero, and convoluted storytelling style, I found it impossible to set this one down.
Reminiscent of Fractured Fairy Tales blended up with a hint of Terry Pratchett, this would make a great bedtime story or read-aloud option.
July 24, 2025
Cute Adventures for a Wizard
This was a fun, easy read of several amusing stories of the young wizard over summer break. He isn’t very successful with his garden, which he is often working on when help is requested, and that was a cute aspect. He has an interesting solution to the unruly, juvenile unicorns. There is a prince who wants the wizard to rescue the princess for him, rather than doing it himself. The final princess is not very princess-like, but she is clever. I liked her.z
This was a fun, easy read of several amusing stories of the young wizard over summer break. He isn’t very successful with his garden, which he is often working on when help is requested, and that was a cute aspect. He has an interesting solution to the unruly, juvenile unicorns. There is a prince who wants the wizard to rescue the princess for him, rather than doing it himself. The final princess is not very princess-like, but she is clever. I liked her.z
November 26, 2018
Just delightful! The wizard is spending his summer vacation at home working in his garden when people continue to enlist his services. He is asked to deal with rampaging unicorns, rescue princesses, and figure out who or what is haunting the castle of an insufferable new duke. He is wise and is able to address the problems as they arise in a fitting manner. And the ending is most suitable. A fun read.
August 10, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyable story about a wizard who just wants to relax during his summer break but keeps getting roped into helping people. While the wizard complains about the interruptions and work, I think (deep down) he enjoys the challenges.
September 6, 2017
Nice book about a wizard and his various small adventures during the summer. Pleasant and quick read.
March 14, 2018
This was a cute read. It was not like the write up made it look to be. However, it was fun.
July 25, 2018
Cute and funny. A nice easy read, albeit not very complex.
January 7, 2020
I was looking for a whimsical fractured fairy tale, and this fit what I wanted exactly.
July 22, 2024
Fantastic and fun.
October 13, 2024
One of my all time fav.
February 10, 2016
This is an absolutely delightful book. It's also a hilarious one. You start out with the wizard. The wizard is young but will make himself look old when potential clients come around since he feels they won't really respect a young wizard.
He's also a wizard that would rather work in his garden or teach they deal with the various people that come to him with their various problems, usually involving some kind of dragon or a princess that needs to be rescued or something like that.
He has his work cut out for him. In the first story he has to deal with problems arising from a wishbone being broken leading to a fat princess and a Saint Bernard dog. The second story deals with a bunch of juvenile delinquent unicorns. The next one is about a Princess who needs to be rescued from a dragon.
Well, sort of. They actually have a kind of relationship, you know. And Princess's don't always want rescuing from Dragons.
Then there's the time that the wizard is asked to rid a castle of a ghost. A castle with a big moat which supposedly has a big monster in it, but a monster which no one has seen for a while. A monster that is kind of dead but doesn't really want to move on yet. A monster who needs a nice lake to live in.
Then there's the last story about the Princess and the quest for the Golden Cucumbers. It's a really, really good story. But then, again, this is a really, really good book, very light-hearted and well written. Velde is an author with a very great deal of talent.
He's also a wizard that would rather work in his garden or teach they deal with the various people that come to him with their various problems, usually involving some kind of dragon or a princess that needs to be rescued or something like that.
He has his work cut out for him. In the first story he has to deal with problems arising from a wishbone being broken leading to a fat princess and a Saint Bernard dog. The second story deals with a bunch of juvenile delinquent unicorns. The next one is about a Princess who needs to be rescued from a dragon.
Well, sort of. They actually have a kind of relationship, you know. And Princess's don't always want rescuing from Dragons.
Then there's the time that the wizard is asked to rid a castle of a ghost. A castle with a big moat which supposedly has a big monster in it, but a monster which no one has seen for a while. A monster that is kind of dead but doesn't really want to move on yet. A monster who needs a nice lake to live in.
Then there's the last story about the Princess and the quest for the Golden Cucumbers. It's a really, really good story. But then, again, this is a really, really good book, very light-hearted and well written. Velde is an author with a very great deal of talent.
June 20, 2012
The wizard is on summer holiday from running his wizard boarding school, but no one is willing to let him relax. He keeps getting called on rescue missions that begin like traditional fairy tales, but end with an unexpected twist. He goes to rescue a princess who refuses to be rescued from her dragon. One town has a problem with teenage unicorns getting drunk on fermented fruit. In the midst of all these adventures, all the wizard wants to do is save his summer garden from rabbits.
Wizard at Work is full of entertaining and funny stories for all young children with extra subtle humor to please their parents. This is a good read aloud with younger children, but also a great book for middle readers. There is something to appeal to all ages and genders.
Wizard at Work is full of entertaining and funny stories for all young children with extra subtle humor to please their parents. This is a good read aloud with younger children, but also a great book for middle readers. There is something to appeal to all ages and genders.
June 23, 2013
A wizard's work is never done. School is out for the summer and the wizard plans to garden, fish, and nap. Instead, he is constantly interrupted by one annoying person after another who want him to rescue (another) princess, stop a herd of dangerous unicorns, rid a castle of a ghost and more...
This was such a cute middle grade book. The stories were unique and funny, and the characters a quirky take on the fantasy tales. The book reads almost like one short story after another, with the young wizard going around to solve all the problems. My favorite was the dangerous unicorns, which really ends up being the beginning of the story of Jack and the Beanstalk. Very clever!
This was such a cute middle grade book. The stories were unique and funny, and the characters a quirky take on the fantasy tales. The book reads almost like one short story after another, with the young wizard going around to solve all the problems. My favorite was the dangerous unicorns, which really ends up being the beginning of the story of Jack and the Beanstalk. Very clever!
October 27, 2009
Susahnya jadi penyihir, tak bisa bersantai-santai dan menikmati hobi di saat liburan. Ada saja yang meminta pertolongan. Meski ogah-ogahan, tapi sang penyihir pada akhirnya mau memberikan pertolongan.
Fakta-fakta yang "terungkap" di sini a.l.:
- putri cantik tidak selalu baik budi, malah saudara tiri buruk rupa yang berhati mulia.
- crop circles (pola-pola lingkaran di ladang) adalah ulah kuda bercula satu, bukan aliens atau UFO.
- putri yang diculik naga tidak terlalu kepingin diselamatkan.
- monster Loch Ness semula hanya hantu monster parit penjaga kastil
Easy and fun reading...
Fakta-fakta yang "terungkap" di sini a.l.:
- putri cantik tidak selalu baik budi, malah saudara tiri buruk rupa yang berhati mulia.
- crop circles (pola-pola lingkaran di ladang) adalah ulah kuda bercula satu, bukan aliens atau UFO.
- putri yang diculik naga tidak terlalu kepingin diselamatkan.
- monster Loch Ness semula hanya hantu monster parit penjaga kastil
Easy and fun reading...
January 31, 2013
Now that his students are on summer vacation, an unnamed wizard planned to spend his own summer relaxing and puttering around his cottage. But alas, he is constantly interrupted by cursed princesses, lazy princes, greedy dukes and marauding unicorns. The wizard never doubts his magical abilities or his own skills, but he is often disappointed by the behavior of the people he's trying to help. It's lighthearted and fun, with humorous twists on the lesson not to judge by appearances. It's definitely meant for a young YA audience.
August 13, 2014
Nemu buku tipis ini di perpustakaan umum dalam kondisi yang mengenaskan, dan kucurigai sebagai buku anak-anak biasa yang klise dan membosankan. Tapi setelah buka halaman pertama aku langsung suka buku ini dan melahapnya habis dalam sekejap. Ini kisah penyihir yang berencana menikmati hari libur tapi rencananya itu gagal total. Sangat kurekomendasikan buat semuanya, baik anak-anak maupun dewasa, karena buku ini sangat menghibur dan aku yakin orang dewasapun akan suka baca buku ini seperti aku :)
August 10, 2016
I'd love to smile at every funny things in this book. To be honest, I am fourteen y.o teenager and to read book like this, is not my year. But, I enjoyed the book. This book was so funny--and nice.
But, It's seem like it was a book of short stories. I know there are so much a connector for a chapter and two. But, it's just not my zone. This book was good, but I never like a full book of short stories. 2 of 5 stars of this book.
(Sorry, my english was bad)
But, It's seem like it was a book of short stories. I know there are so much a connector for a chapter and two. But, it's just not my zone. This book was good, but I never like a full book of short stories. 2 of 5 stars of this book.
(Sorry, my english was bad)
March 27, 2013
This is an entertaining and humorous book of short stories featuring a crafty and wise wizard. Various bits of fairy tales are woven into the stories and we see each with a fresh perspective. The narrative is engaging and we really enjoyed reading this book together.
interesting quote:
"Maybe if I get killed, then my mother will forgive me." (p. 40)
interesting quote:
"Maybe if I get killed, then my mother will forgive me." (p. 40)
March 18, 2013
The Vande Velde I've read before has been YA, even though it's been shelved in juvenile fiction, but this one really is for younger readers, probably the 8-10 crowd. It's a quick, amusing read with Vande Velde's trademark wit, and considerably more warmth than her bleaker YA novels.
January 3, 2014
A fun book. Really a collection of short stories hung on a loose frame, but that's okay. It's summer vacation and Wizard just wants to fall asleep while fishing, but princesses and dukes keep cropping up.
December 14, 2015
This book was full of adventure, I enjoyed it so much.
I liked the part where the wizard gets tricked into marrying princess Teddy. I would recommend this book to anyone who has read fantasy before.
I liked the part where the wizard gets tricked into marrying princess Teddy. I would recommend this book to anyone who has read fantasy before.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews