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A Potion, a Powder, a Little Bit of Magic: Or, Like Lightning in an Umbrella Storm
Not yet published
Expected 7 Apr 26A plucky young goatkeeper sets out on a misadventurous rescue mission in this uproarious debut novel, perfect for fans of Kate DiCamillo and Lemony Snicket.
In a kingdom ruled by a capricious king, the castle rests on the backs of twenty-four goats, and the welfare of those goats rests on the back of a girl called Bernadette. So when one goat escapes, it’s up to her—with the help of a very forgetful wizard and a Boat That Does Not Grant Wishes—to bring it back safely.
Her task may be straightforward, but this book is anything but. Like a swirling herd of restless goats, the chapters are all out of order. The ending may prove to have been the beginning all along. All the while, the author of Bernadette’s saga—a character himself—hurries to write her a resolution, with very mixed results. And if you’re feeling lost, don’t worry; the story has twenty-four morals, of varying advisability, to edify you along the way.
Award-winning picture book author and illustrator Philip Stead makes a confident debut as a novelist in this laugh-out-loud, one-of-a-kind illustrated tale, chock-full of running gags, broken fourth walls, and underdog triumph.
Gilded edges, a velvet-touch jacket with foil accents and embossing, a foil-stamped cloth case and printed endpapers make A Potion, a Powder, a Little Bit of Magic as thrilling to hold as it is to open, a perfect gift for any young reader.
In a kingdom ruled by a capricious king, the castle rests on the backs of twenty-four goats, and the welfare of those goats rests on the back of a girl called Bernadette. So when one goat escapes, it’s up to her—with the help of a very forgetful wizard and a Boat That Does Not Grant Wishes—to bring it back safely.
Her task may be straightforward, but this book is anything but. Like a swirling herd of restless goats, the chapters are all out of order. The ending may prove to have been the beginning all along. All the while, the author of Bernadette’s saga—a character himself—hurries to write her a resolution, with very mixed results. And if you’re feeling lost, don’t worry; the story has twenty-four morals, of varying advisability, to edify you along the way.
Award-winning picture book author and illustrator Philip Stead makes a confident debut as a novelist in this laugh-out-loud, one-of-a-kind illustrated tale, chock-full of running gags, broken fourth walls, and underdog triumph.
Gilded edges, a velvet-touch jacket with foil accents and embossing, a foil-stamped cloth case and printed endpapers make A Potion, a Powder, a Little Bit of Magic as thrilling to hold as it is to open, a perfect gift for any young reader.
328 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication April 7, 2026
39 people want to read
About the author
Philip C. Stead
29 books219 followersPhilip C. Stead is the author of the Caldecott Medal winning book A Sick Day for Amos McGee, also named a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of 2010 and a Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Book of 2010, illustrated by his wife, Erin E. Stead. Together with Erin, he also created Bear Has a Story to Tell, an E.B. White Read-Aloud Award honor book. Philip, also an artist, has written and illustrated several of his own books including Hello, My Name is Ruby, Jonathan and the Big Blue Boat, A Home for Bird, and his debut Creamed Tuna Fish and Peas on Toast, which was applauded by School Library Journal for “its wry humor and illustrations worthy of a Roald Dahl creation.” Philip lives with Erin and their dog, Wednesday, in a 100-year-old barn in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 19, 2025
What worked:
Readers will immediately recognize that this is no ordinary book. The foreword reflects on the author’s thought process, including why the book has two titles. Or why the story begins with chapter 13. After a bit of plot, the story goes back to chapter two. Chapter one is saved for later. The narrator explains why the story jumps around and how it makes sense. Also, the author is one of the characters, as he tries to figure out what to write next. The story seems destined to evolve in its own way, so can his ideas match what’s happening? Later in the book, the author becomes a physical character in the story that he’s writing.
The story is chock-full of humor, and it comes in a variety of forms. Some of it is physical, as evidenced by people frequently jumping out of the castle window and landing atop Bernadette’s shelter. She uses scrap materials to build a net that saves leapers from injury and keeps them from breaking her table. The author enjoys using Latin terms, as do other characters, and definitions are included. However, the meanings don’t always fit the context of the narrative. Repetition of phrases or paragraphs adds to the amusement. Bernadette’s best friends are a turtle named Perseverance and a three-legged goat named Steve. A tree that won’t grant wishes and an old, forgetful magician join Bernadette on her quest, and the magician’s addled mind contributes funny comments. Twenty-four morals are woven into the story, with some included for amusement while others might actually apply to readers’ lives.
What is the story about? Bernadette is a kind, thoughtful young girl who is loyal to her friends. She has always wanted to have courage, so she introduces herself as Bernadette the Brave. She’s obedient to the king’s orders, even though he is a self-centered, pompous nut case. Readers may be shocked at how his aides are so subservient and ridiculously try to keep him happy. This includes jumping out of the castle window! Bernadette goes to great lengths to help the goats tasked with supporting the castle, and she’s determined to locate the missing one that ran away. She also won’t stop until she keeps Perseverance from becoming the main ingredient in the king’s soup. Bernadette’s love and her dream for a happily ever after ending motivate her to never stop trying.
What didn’t work as well:
The author is also an excellent illustrator, and all of the characters are shared at the very beginning. Readers might expect some pictures of them mixed into the story. I read an advanced copy, and additional illustrations will be in the final version. Also, jumping around to different parts of the plot may confuse some readers. The first chapter is actually saved for the very end; it’s even after the acknowledgment pages.
The final verdict:
This book will appeal to readers looking for a different kind of humor. In some ways, it reads like an expanded fairy tale with a disliked king, a quest, and an innocent victim being held captive. I suggest you try this book for yourself.
Readers will immediately recognize that this is no ordinary book. The foreword reflects on the author’s thought process, including why the book has two titles. Or why the story begins with chapter 13. After a bit of plot, the story goes back to chapter two. Chapter one is saved for later. The narrator explains why the story jumps around and how it makes sense. Also, the author is one of the characters, as he tries to figure out what to write next. The story seems destined to evolve in its own way, so can his ideas match what’s happening? Later in the book, the author becomes a physical character in the story that he’s writing.
The story is chock-full of humor, and it comes in a variety of forms. Some of it is physical, as evidenced by people frequently jumping out of the castle window and landing atop Bernadette’s shelter. She uses scrap materials to build a net that saves leapers from injury and keeps them from breaking her table. The author enjoys using Latin terms, as do other characters, and definitions are included. However, the meanings don’t always fit the context of the narrative. Repetition of phrases or paragraphs adds to the amusement. Bernadette’s best friends are a turtle named Perseverance and a three-legged goat named Steve. A tree that won’t grant wishes and an old, forgetful magician join Bernadette on her quest, and the magician’s addled mind contributes funny comments. Twenty-four morals are woven into the story, with some included for amusement while others might actually apply to readers’ lives.
What is the story about? Bernadette is a kind, thoughtful young girl who is loyal to her friends. She has always wanted to have courage, so she introduces herself as Bernadette the Brave. She’s obedient to the king’s orders, even though he is a self-centered, pompous nut case. Readers may be shocked at how his aides are so subservient and ridiculously try to keep him happy. This includes jumping out of the castle window! Bernadette goes to great lengths to help the goats tasked with supporting the castle, and she’s determined to locate the missing one that ran away. She also won’t stop until she keeps Perseverance from becoming the main ingredient in the king’s soup. Bernadette’s love and her dream for a happily ever after ending motivate her to never stop trying.
What didn’t work as well:
The author is also an excellent illustrator, and all of the characters are shared at the very beginning. Readers might expect some pictures of them mixed into the story. I read an advanced copy, and additional illustrations will be in the final version. Also, jumping around to different parts of the plot may confuse some readers. The first chapter is actually saved for the very end; it’s even after the acknowledgment pages.
The final verdict:
This book will appeal to readers looking for a different kind of humor. In some ways, it reads like an expanded fairy tale with a disliked king, a quest, and an innocent victim being held captive. I suggest you try this book for yourself.
October 8, 2025
DNF. I was so excited to get an e-galley of Stead's middle grade debut. I managed to finish over a third of it. Stead tells a story about a ridiculous kingdom and many of its people, and also goats, in a deliberately out of order manner. It seems like the book is too long and, frankly, I've read things like this before where the author is trying too hard to prove that they can be silly and amusing to young readers. The recent Frances Hardinge book, Forest of a Thousand Eyes, also fits this category. Holiday House is comparing it to books by Kate DiCamillo and Lemony Snicket, which are obvious read-alikes with all of the goats in The Beatryce Prophecy and the incessant defining of words and phrases as Lemony Snicket does. Perhaps you just need to be in the right mood for it. I really do love so many of Stead's picture books though. Review from e-galley.
December 14, 2025
I did not think I'd be able to easily follow a book where the author misplaced the first chapter but here we are, all out of order, slightly rumpled and smelling of goat cheese (goat cheese smells just like goats. This maybe obvious to some but not to me. I haven't quite gotten over this fun fact, nor can I eat goat cheese)
Anyways, Bernadette is one of my favorite characters: smart, resourceful, kind in an unkind world. I thoroughly enjoyed the whimsy in this book, and Steve the three-legged goat and Boat Who Does Not Grant Wishes are also contenders for My Favorite Characters.
Also, the meta-ness is sure to warm any writers' heart. At the very least, earn a chuckle-sigh.
Anyways, Bernadette is one of my favorite characters: smart, resourceful, kind in an unkind world. I thoroughly enjoyed the whimsy in this book, and Steve the three-legged goat and Boat Who Does Not Grant Wishes are also contenders for My Favorite Characters.
Also, the meta-ness is sure to warm any writers' heart. At the very least, earn a chuckle-sigh.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews