The Story of Gumluck and the Portrait Thief: Book 4

by Adam Rex

The story of Gumluck continues! Dive into the artfully funny fourth installation in the critically acclaimed chapter book series from  New York Times bestselling author Adam Rex.The queen's portrait has been stolen from the museum. Who took it? The terrible troll? The prideful prince? The raiding raccoon? Gumluck the Wizard, his faithful friend Helvetica the Raven, her three clever chicks, and Butterscotch, the little ghost who haunts Gumluck's hair, are on the case.Gumluck is a wonderful wizard, but sometimes he spoils his spells―like when he tries to make a painting but ends up making a monster by mistake!―and that spells trouble. Will Gumluck and his friends catch the thief? There's only one way to find out.With delightful illustrations and a lighthearted mix of fantasy and fairytale elements, this madcap romp celebrates the artist in each of us as everyone's favorite bumbling noodlehead does his best to save the day.JUST RIGHT FOR NEW With simple sentences, engaging illustrations, and big themes explored with humor and heart, this series is the perfect choice for newly independent readers who love magical tales.

STARRED The Gumluck series is a hit with kids and critics alike! The first book, The Story of Gumluck the Wizard, has received five starred "Adorable."―Shelf Awareness, starred review"Readers will fall in love with [Gumluck]."―School Library Journal, starred review "Silly and heartfelt."―Publishers Weekly, starred review"[A] spellbinding read."―Booklist, starred review"Here's a tale to treasure."―Kirkus Reviews, starred review 

FAVORITE Adam Rex is an acclaimed New York Times bestselling children's book creator and winner of countless state list awards. He is known for his funny and smart stories, including On Account of the Gum, Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich, School's First Day of School, and many more. The Gumluck books, his first chapter book series, are zany capers with heart and humor across every page.Perfect of Adam RexParents and grandparents seeking a funny early chapter book seriesTeachers and librarians looking for engaging fantasy and magic books for emerging readersAnyone looking for fun-filled fantasy chapter booksReaders who enjoy Chris Colfer's A Tale of Magic series, the Unicorn Academy series, and Magic Tree House books

156 pages, Hardcover

Published October 20, 2026

About the author

Adam Rex grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, the middle of three children. He was neither the smart one (older brother) or the cute one (younger sister), but he was the one who could draw. He took a lot of art classes as a kid, trying to learn to draw better, and started painting when he was 11. And later in life he was drawn down to Tucson in order to hone his skills, get a BFA from the University of Arizona, and meet his physicist wife Marie (who is both the smart and cute one).

Adam is nearsighted, bad at all sports, learning to play the theremin, and usually in need of a shave. He can carry a tune, if you don't mind the tune getting dropped and stepped on occasionally. He never remembers anyone's name until he's heard it at least three times. He likes animals, spacemen, Mexican food, Ethiopian food, monsters, puppets, comic books, 19th century art, skeletons, bugs, and robots.

Garlic and crosses are useless against Adam. Sunlight has been shown to be at least moderately effective. A silver bullet does the trick. Pretty much any bullet, really.

Reviews

[Justice · Rating 5 out of 5]

"If you're lucky, art might make you feel more than you understand. It might be like having your heart squeezed just a little in your chest - like the whole world is holding its breath so that you and the art can have a moment alone."

HOT DAMN. I already love Gumluck but this one really squeezed my heart. Hurray for art, hurray for creative thinking, hurray for CHOICES! And Booooooooo AI!!!!

[Katie Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be my favorite Gumluck yet!

[Carrie Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gumluck's adventures are always a delight to read and this one is one of the best in the series so far. I love the dynamic between Gumluck, Helvetica, Helvetica's children, and Butterscotch. Helvetica is a great narrator for these tales and I enjoy her voice. She brings a lot of the humor into the story by the way she tells it.

The focus of this tale was on art and the mystery of who stole a painting. It is full of so much heart and humor just like the others in the series. The illustrations were great as always. I especially enjoyed seeing the various paintings the characters made at the art class. Also, Butterscotch's little detective hat was adorable.

The Story of Gumluck and the Portrait Thief is another perfect tale to pick up for your younger reader, whether for them to read it themselves or for you to read with them. I highly recommend this series it is a great one.

*Thank you to NetGalley, Chronicle Books, and Adam Rex for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*

[Kali Cordes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the humor in this book! It can be subtle but that's the beauty of it; the complete opposite of in-your-face silliness that is often in children's books. The overall lesson to be learned from the story about art is unique and felt like a (welcome) attack on generative AI. This is the first book in the series that I've read myself but my 7 year old has read the others. It took me a little bit to sort out the characters but the hidden joke in the names Lorem and Ipsum had me hooked. My favorite illustration in the whole book was the adorable little detective hat on Butterscotch. My 7 year old and I both enjoyed this illustrated chapter book!

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+ Classic Whodunit with a subtle valuable (art) lesson. What is art, what is considered art, is one style more valuable than others? A portrait is stolen, time to solve the mystery. I loved that Gumluck tries to take a shortcut and creates a monster by accident. This is a good subtle message and an epic ending. True, if we pay attention there are artists everywhere in our daily lives.
This one speaks closest to my art as a family who creates and respects creators. Very strong precious message.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have never met Gumluck, you will be in for a treat. This is the fourth book in the Gumluck series and my children and I absolutely adore these books. Each book in the series grabs your attention and definitely helps reluctant readers fall in love with reading. We love the mix of words and illustrations throughout the story. Plus the humor and kindness throughout the book is magical. Truly a book to pick up and read aloud!

[Amanda Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gumluck and Helvetica are possibly my two favorite book characters of all time. I do a K-2 book club at the library where I work and a couple of months ago we did the first Gumluck book. I'm proud to report that the kids were just as enamored of them as I am. Also, Mr. Rex, I like the decisions you made!

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, how I love the Gumluck books! They’re so funny and adorable. This one is also heartwarming and honestly inspirational in how it talks about art. I loved this newest adventure. 👻 Oh, and Prince Whoop-Dee-Doo is still an ungrateful cretin; seriously.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, another spectacular Gumluck adventure that made laugh and me clutch my heart