Wizkit: An Adventure Overdue

Wizkit #1

by Tanya J. Scott

A middle grade graphic novel about a magical cyclops cat on her first trip away from home who learns even the most ordinary journeys can be magical with the right company!

It’s a wild, enchanted, wonderful world out there, way beyond the fjord that a one-eyed cat named Wizkit calls home. But Wizkit wouldn’t know anything about that—as a Wizard’s apprentice, all her lessons are indoors, and she’s far too lazy to go out exploring. There’s no need to—she already knows enough spells to conjure up delicious snacks whenever she’s hungry!

But when an overdue library book literally cries out to be returned, Wizkit’s Teacher decides she must be the one to take it back. Reluctantly (and rather accidentally), the journey to the Library begins. With the annoyingly optimistic Book in tow, Wizkit sets off on an adventure that is full of strange characters with even stranger problems. Wizkit will soon find out that, with a little support and a new friendship, her own magical talents can be part of the solution.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Comics, Middle Grade, Magic, Fiction, Adventure

144 pages, Paperback

First published April 4, 2023

Reviews

[Keisha | A Book Like You · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stop it, this was SO freaking adorable! I need more Wizkit adventures! Ah! 💛💛💛

If you love The Brave Little Toaster, Peculiar Woods, and Olaf - pick this book up right now!

[Aud · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so cute! Without being cutesy, which is not my thing at all. I love the art. The colors are fantastic, and perfect for the tone of the story. The panels are clear and easy to read, and the character design is likewise perfect for the tone and age range of the story. It's a wonderful fantasy for a younger-skewing crowd, which can still be a somewhat difficult thing to find. It's a gentler read, in that it's not in the least bit scary, but it's also not in the least bit boring. It's fun, moves at a decent pace, has interesting and original magical creatures (I particularly like the mice and the librarian), and I would love a sequel.

I'm really glad my library ordered this, and I hope it circulates as well as it deserves to!

[Amanda S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uhh so this is possibly the most adorable and wholesome thing I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading.

[Brittney Lyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly delightful graphic novel

You are immediately dropped into a magical setting on the first page. The way I stared at the whimsical cottage on the shore I wish I could have hoped in. You then step in where you are immersed into what I think is an ideal setting a house full of books 📚 baked goods 🍩 and a magical broom 🧹 The novel just gets better and better as you adventure with Wizkit to return an overdue book to the library traveling through different lands and meeting some unique creatures along the way.

This one will be a favorite of mine this year. It’s for all readers of any age!

Thank you Simon Kids 📚

[D.T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You know, Wizkit, sometimes we can get so caught up with all the things we think we are supposed to be that we forget to just be.”

Off the bat, this book is really charming and wonderfully dumb. I liked the humor!

Wizkit is a lazy, homebody who is forced to go touch grass *gasp* They have to go on an escort mission basically and return a sentient, overdue library book. Book is so dramatic and fun; he has no poker face and shows all his feelings. The artwork was also cool and simple in a way that begs to be animated as a cartoon.

I’d love to read another book in this series.

[Élise Massé · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vraiment cool comme histoire. Un chat magicien un peu casanier qui part à l'aventure pour ramener un livre en retard à la librairie. Il réalise alors l'importance d'écrire sa propre histoire, d'être entouré d'amis et de s'ouvrir au monde extérieur. C'est super bien écrit, les couleurs sont belles, le dialogue entre les personnages et super comique. Très belle lecture pour les jeunes avec de belles morales 👌🏻

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

No way is this a first novel, the art and imagination and storytelling are wonderful!

[LeaBeth | BookTime · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super cute story! It had multiple lessons & no small amount of adventures. Some of the graphics were a bit odd, but it’s my very first graphic novel & I enjoyed it a lot!

💕

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

Wizkit is sassy but also riddled with anxiety about her magic, about leaving her teacher's house, about making friends. But after being tasked with returning a book to the not-so-local library, Wizkit gains both friendship and confidence in this super cute quest book.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super wholesome. And it says middle grade but if you’ve got a small child who can read early it is sweet and gentle enough for a little kid.

[Blaire Watanabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I checked this out from the library and my non-reading 11 year old son got bored enough to pick it up and take a peek inside. He started reading it and finished it after the second day. He asked if there was a second! It resonated with him. Things like not wanting to do chores and using magic to get them completed and getting a book from the library and wanting to return it. I didn’t read it yet but knowing he had a good experience with it, I just had to share that!

[el (celestialbronz) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wizkit was a young wizard who loved bread and didn't like to go outside. One day their teacher tasked them to return an overdue library book. They planned to go straight to library without detours and went straight back home. But instead they stumbled into a little adventure, met some new friends, and learned a few things along the way. The vibes was absolutely magical, the illustrations were cute and beautiful, the story was heartwarming and full of moral values. Another cozy fantasy graphic novel i recommend.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wizkit was an absolute delight! The story starts with Wizkit being a little too comfortable in its own world, so it’s given the task of returning on overdue library book. The book is quite different from Wizkit, and they have some grand adventures together. The illustrations are cute and colorful, and I think the story can be enjoyed by all ages.

[alivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

very cute

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wizkit is a young wizard cat who loves bread, staying inside, and avoiding chores. Can relate. When he and his teacher stumble upon a crying book, Wizkit is sent on an adventure to return Book to the library.

I love this graphic novel. The art style is adorable and the characters are even better! I love our sassy, sometimes cynical, Wizkit, and Book has my whole heart <3. I really hope we get to see more of them in the future!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a simple guy with simple tastes, and I'm a sucker for characters with big, googly wall-eyes. I chuckle every single time Book looks in two different directions at once. Also, Wizkit and I share so many interests (laziness, bread). What's not to like?!

In addition to just being a jolly good time full of chuckles, this was a surprisingly sweet story about getting out of your comfort zone and making friends, and great for all ages.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
Wizkit is a magical cat creature that lives in a whimsical magical world. They are a student and live with their teacher. Wizkit is lazy and does not like going out or meeting people. Their teacher forces them to go against this when they find an overdue sentient book. Wizkit's teacher sends them to return Book to the library, leading to adventures and lessons.
This was an amusing and fun tale. It was clearly a morality tale where Wizkit was supposed to learn something from their trip. Each adventure was fun and allowed Wizkit to grow.
Personally, as a librarian, I loved the message about libraries and how they help people grow, learn, and go on adventures.
This is a great book for middle-grade readers and older.

[Lauren Stohler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imaginative and gentle, with unexpected quirks!

Wizkit follows a one-eyed, nattily-dressed, bread-manifesting kitty en route to return an overdue library book. The two journey through a colorfully illustrated landscape, mastering challenges as they go. Lessons learned at the conclusion of each mini-adventure are summarized by other characters (making them extra-accessible to more concrete readers)... but isn't the real lesson the Capitalist Frog we met along the way???

It's the rando and unexpected characters that shined most brightly to me: from a squabbling three-headed bird, to a gentle river dragon, to the carny frog I would do ANYTHING for.

Not to mention: bread!!!

A lovely read for kindly adventurers!

[Nicole Valdez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for people who loved Aster and the Accidental Magic, Bug Boys, and Adventure Time. It’s adorable, whimsical art with fun, sometimes cutely snarky characters. Kids will love this magical cat.

[Aurora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t quite vibe with this one. I found the characters mostly just…annoying.

[Allison Pickett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not always a fan of graphic novels but loved this one.
Adorable, fun artwork, heartfelt message. My kids and I enjoyed this one. Cannot wait for the next in the series (hopefully).

[Mark Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

What worked:
Having a talking book as a character is very strange but it offers a stark contrast to the main character named Wizkit. Book is ever optimistic and cheerful, and makes friends easily. Wizkit is lazy, unmotivated, and thinks leaving his home is stupid. The quest to return overdue Book to the library leads to unlikely adventures that will transform Wizkit into a kinder and more curious wizard’s apprentice, perhaps even a friend. She encounters a river without water, a three-headed bird that can’t make any decisions, and rocks that are annoyed by terrible, little turnips. All of these meetings teach Wizkit some type of lesson that is reviewed and highlighted when she returns home to her wizard.
The pages feature abundant, colorful illustrations that combine with plain text to tell the story of Wizkit’s reluctant adventure. The background isn’t overly detailed in order to feature the unusual characters and happenings. Wizkit’s red outfit contrasts with all of the other colors in the book to make her stand out in every picture where she appears. The author adds several pages at the end of the book showing early sketches of the characters and the development of scenes. It shows young artists what they can do with their simple drawings to create fun stories.
What didn’t work as well:
The book may not appeal to a wide range of middle-grade readers. The plot is simple and easy to follow and doesn’t develop any uncertainties or suspense. There’s never any doubt the characters will succeed in their quest. It feels like a primary-grade plot written for a little bit older audience.
The Final Verdict:
The readability of this book is probably most appropriate for students around the third grade. It’s wonderful to see Wizkit change throughout the story until he sees the value in adventures and friendship. Overall, it’s a fun story with colorful illustrations that should appeal to young readers.

[Jacquelyne Hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded down. The ending was better than the beginning. I think this would make a great PBS Kids show adaptation, much akin to "The Cat in the Hat" series. My main problem with this book is that it feels too in your face with the moral/lesson it is trying to share. It feels too obvious for the younger target audience, and very predictable for the older target audience. The younger target audience might not fully comprehend the secondary and tertiary morals/lessons that were executed throughout the novel, while the older target audience might not have stuck around to even witness that kind of character development.

It's fine for what it does, and it really would translate well to TV given its quirky characters and fantastical settings, it's just that as a book, it didn't really stand out to me. It might have been a better story if the call to adventure wasn't called a lesson, and the main character Wizkit sought out to better himself organically or out of necessity. Or if the book didn't focus on the moral lesson at all, sometimes stories can just be about a fun adventure, and this would have been such a great one to take. The friendship message was nice but superfluous at best.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

WizKit, the one-eyed wizard in training kitten, is a bit lazy and doesn’t want to leave his cushy seat in her teacher’s home unless it’s too eat lots of bread. But then a sad, overdue and talking book teams up with the teacher to convince WizKit that going on an adventure to return Book to the library would be a good thing. The pair set off, one ever optimistic and the other grumpy about the whole thing, and along the route they encounter a variety of unique creatures with interesting problems to solve. In helping to resolve the predicaments of a dragon, a three-headed and flightless bird, two talking rocks and more, WizKit finds not only a few friends but a confidence in herself that was sorely lacking. Readers will chuckle at the unusual creatures and problems and get a little lesson on why the library is such an awesome place! Tanya Scott’s story is sweet and full of great fantasy and her illustrations bright and engaging. Terrific graphic novel choice for those in grades 2-4. Simple text is free of profanity, sexual content and violence.

Thanks for sharing a print arc for review, Atheneum Books/Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wizkit, a cyclops-unicorn kitty, has magical powers, but she doesn't use them wisely and doesn't follow the instructions of her teacher. Her teacher gives her an errand to run - to return a sad and quite overdue enchanted library book. The adventure starts sooner than expected as Wizkit is magicked outside when she looks into the open book. On their quest to the library, they encounter a dragon, some mice, and others who need their help, but Wizkit needs some help with confidence before she can use her magical powers.

I really liked the Book's positive attitude and the way Wizkit was encouraged to use her magic even if someone was watching. The scene in the library was great - I love when books promote libraries. While perfectly accessible for lower Elementary readers, Upper Elementary readers will enjoy Wizkit as well. AJ would recommend Wizkit to kids who like magic; she thought the pictures were amazing and she wants other readers to know there's a sad part.

Lisa Librarian and AJ (age 7)

Cross posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle

Wizkit is a wizard's apprentice who prefers lounging inside and using magic to get out of doing work. But when the wizard instructs her to return an overdue library book, she's forced to set out on a quest with the chatty book. Along the way, the pair make new friends, help other's with their problems, and learn a few lessons.

Nice themes of friendship, kindness, and self-confidence. Definitely has an Over the Garden Wall feel to it. That talking book just emanates Greg energy.

The lessons are a bit in your face, but it was a cute story overall.

A fun adventure story with plenty of great characters, laughs, and adorable artwork. Wouldn't mind seeing more of these characters if it becomes a series.

[Bree Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wizkit is a beautiful, fun, and surprisingly thoughtful young adult graphic novel. From the moment I opened it, I was pulled into a world that felt whimsical and comforting, yet full of meaningful moments. The story gently peppers in life lessons about being yourself, finding bravery when you don’t feel particularly brave, and—most importantly—not judging a book by its cover.

The artwork is truly something special. It’s unique, expressive, and bursting with personality. It feels like Adventure Time met Dora the Explorer—playful, imaginative, and full of movement—while still standing confidently on its own.

This book is equal parts adventure and heart, making it a joy to read whether you’re young or just young at heart. Wizkit is absolutely a book I’ll come back to from time to time, especially when I need a reminder that kindness, courage, and curiosity still matter.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a bit didactic-- some subtlety would have helped- but I enjoyed the energetic and colorful art. Wizkit is a young wizard too fond of lounging indoors, unwilling to try new things, and wanting to use magic as a short-cut but also has trouble with some of the spells. The teacher charges Wizkit to return a book to the library and this is the story of the adventures and lessons learned along the way. I bought it to give as a gift and I hope it will be enjoyed and the recipient won't feel lectured. (Okay, I have to add this: it's a story about returning an overdue book to a library! I HAVE to love it.)

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wizkit is learning magic! One day, his teacher sends him on a journey to return an overdue book to the library. This may sound simple in our world but it's a bit different in the Wizkit world! Wizkit and Book encounter several challenges on their trip to the library. Wizkit is definitely not fond of going on adventures or even leaving the house. And is not at all sure about Book. But as their journey progresses, the two become close friends and Book helps Wizkit gain much needed confidence.
This was quite lovely - it reminded me a bit of the Tea Dragon Society books by O'Neill. I hope to see more of Wizkit!

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute without being precious, which is a hard line to walk. It helps that the art is streamlined and very colorful. The adventure is a gentle one, with fairly low drama and danger, but it's still a fun ride. Wizkit is delightfully misanthropic at the beginning, and his change of heart comes gradually. Book is the sort of borderline manic character I gravitate towards. There's a strong supporting cast, and the friendship lessons are clear but not hammered. I think this could be a hit with middle grade readers.