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Hocus and Pocus #2
Hocus and Pocus and the Dragon Next Door
Magical puppies Hocus and Pocus have a new Bye-Bye the dragon! Hocus is delighted, but Pocus is nervous about making friends—and about fire breath. A funny and affirming adventure.
On a walk around the neighborhood delivering potions with their magical family, puppies Hocus and Pocus discover that the wizard next door, Jade, has a new pet—a dragon named Bye-Bye. Hocus is excited! She loves making new friends and thinks Bye-Bye’s wings and fire breath are cool. But Pocus is afraid. He already has five friends, which feels like a lot. Plus Bye-Bye might eat them! Right? When Hocus bounds into Bye-Bye’s yard wanting to play, the dragon shies away, then chases her off. Could it be that Bye-Bye isn’t scary—she’s scared? How can the puppies help? Maybe if Hocus uses a potion to turn into a dragon temporarily, or if Pocus learns some friendly phrases in dragon language, it might help Bye-Bye open up. And it just might help Pocus feel braver, too. This charming series continues with another fun-filled and enchanted romp in a world where everyone can be their unique selves.
On a walk around the neighborhood delivering potions with their magical family, puppies Hocus and Pocus discover that the wizard next door, Jade, has a new pet—a dragon named Bye-Bye. Hocus is excited! She loves making new friends and thinks Bye-Bye’s wings and fire breath are cool. But Pocus is afraid. He already has five friends, which feels like a lot. Plus Bye-Bye might eat them! Right? When Hocus bounds into Bye-Bye’s yard wanting to play, the dragon shies away, then chases her off. Could it be that Bye-Bye isn’t scary—she’s scared? How can the puppies help? Maybe if Hocus uses a potion to turn into a dragon temporarily, or if Pocus learns some friendly phrases in dragon language, it might help Bye-Bye open up. And it just might help Pocus feel braver, too. This charming series continues with another fun-filled and enchanted romp in a world where everyone can be their unique selves.
96 pages, Hardcover
Published March 4, 2025
23 people want to read
About the author
A.R. Capetta
21 books891 followersA. R. Capetta (all pronouns), the author of Echo After Echo and The Lost Coast, has lived in Austin and worked as a professional baker and holds a master of fine arts in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. A. R. Capetta is married to author Cory McCarthy, and they live in Vermont with their young baker.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 11, 2025
A.R. Capetta returns with the next installment of their found family fantasy series starring two mischievous and magical puppies. The bolder sister Hocus can look two minutes into the future while brother Pocus can dispel bad feelings. They live with a potion witch named Jinx who tutors three magical children with varying skills, skintones, and pronouns (a nifty opening portrait gallery graphic recaps all this information). When their neighbor Jade (he/him) acquires a new pet dragon named Bye-Bye, the pups concoct a potion to allow timid Pocus to conquer his fear of flying reptiles. Unfortunately, an accidental mix-up turns Hocus into an adorable puppy dragon, setting off a plot that includes missing pets, attack squirrels, and magical mayhem. Capetta subtly manages to mix some important lessons about consent and anxiety into the story, which makes this new series stand out from the pack. Attractive and bright digital images, a clear easy-to-read font, and plentiful white space (both in line spacing and its generous margins) will help this simple series find fans among kids interested in both magic and pets. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
May 7, 2025
Hocus and her brother Pocus love to mess around. When a dragon moves in next door, Hocus is more than curious. She loves making new friends, and this dragon seems like the perfect new addition to her friend's list. The only thing is that the dragon is shy and Hocus doesn't speak dragon. But with a little magic, anything is possible and soon Hocus finds herself flying like a dragon too.
HOCUS POCUS AND THE DRAGON NEXT DOOR is a cute story full of magic and friendship that also teaches how people process things differently. The dragon, whose name is Bye-Bye, is shy and doesn't like the idea of meeting strangers. The illustrations are just as adorable as the plot with the round noses, bright colors, cute spots and everything. I love the relationship between Hocus and Pocus and how they support one another. I also love how this book helps teach children that not everyone interacts with others the same way. Some people are scared of social interactions, but that isn't a bad thing.
Final Verdict: I would recommend this to children aged six and older who love stories about animals, magic, dragons, and friendship. Hocus really goes above and beyond for her neighbor Bye-Bye and the world would be a lot better if it had more kindness like her in it.
HOCUS POCUS AND THE DRAGON NEXT DOOR is a cute story full of magic and friendship that also teaches how people process things differently. The dragon, whose name is Bye-Bye, is shy and doesn't like the idea of meeting strangers. The illustrations are just as adorable as the plot with the round noses, bright colors, cute spots and everything. I love the relationship between Hocus and Pocus and how they support one another. I also love how this book helps teach children that not everyone interacts with others the same way. Some people are scared of social interactions, but that isn't a bad thing.
Final Verdict: I would recommend this to children aged six and older who love stories about animals, magic, dragons, and friendship. Hocus really goes above and beyond for her neighbor Bye-Bye and the world would be a lot better if it had more kindness like her in it.
May 13, 2025
This is a cute story about making new friends and conquering your fears. Hocus and Pocus were nervous about meeting the scary dragon next door, so they brewed a potion to take away their fear. However, they discovered that the dragon was actually scared of them. Sometimes new people can seem scary if they aren’t friendly, but that can actually be because they’re also scared. Once Hocus and Pocus got to know the dragon, they became friends.
Hocus and Pocus and the Dragon Next Door is a great children’s book!
Thank you Candlewick Press for sending me a copy of this book!
Hocus and Pocus and the Dragon Next Door is a great children’s book!
Thank you Candlewick Press for sending me a copy of this book!
March 20, 2025
Thank you @PRHAudio for the gifted audiobook.
Hocus & Pocus and the Dragon Nextdoor was so cute. My family enjoyed story of a dog who is scared of the new dragon in the neighborhood. The dog’s sibling came up with creative ways to teach them not to be afraid of what they don’t understand. I appreciated the inclusive nature of the book and how easy it was to follow based on the different voices the narrator performed.
Hocus & Pocus and the Dragon Nextdoor was so cute. My family enjoyed story of a dog who is scared of the new dragon in the neighborhood. The dog’s sibling came up with creative ways to teach them not to be afraid of what they don’t understand. I appreciated the inclusive nature of the book and how easy it was to follow based on the different voices the narrator performed.
March 21, 2025
As with the first one, this was adorable and fluffy and cute! It lovingly dealt with fear and anxiety in different ways and with different results and remedies. The art is amazing and colourful, the cast is diverse and helpful and community centred... And the dragon's name is Bye-Bye!
It loses a star for me just from not being as tight a story as the first one. Parts seem cut for length and make the story a touch jarring (Suddenly.... DRAGONS!).
It loses a star for me just from not being as tight a story as the first one. Parts seem cut for length and make the story a touch jarring (Suddenly.... DRAGONS!).
May 19, 2025
👦🏻reviews: This second book is as hood as the first one. This is about friendship and facing one’s fears. This is definitely an excellent book for young early readers to learn and understand how to handle friendships. Stunning book!
March 5, 2025
Not quite as cute as the first, but I'm still glad to own it!
April 8, 2025
Best book ever it’s really funny and is great for everyone to read 🤣🤩🥹🐉🐉🐉🐉
June 14, 2025
Super cute. I love the inclusivity, the artwork, the magic, the dogs, and just the general vibes. I can't wait for more of this series.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews