A Potion, a Powder, a Little Bit of Magic: Or, Like Lightning in an Umbrella Storm

An instant New York Times bestseller!

"This book is absolutely marvelous. It's delightful, exciting, profound, and FUN all at once." --Jarrett Lerner, New York Times bestselling author

A plucky young goatkeeper sets out on a misadventurous rescue mission in this uproarious debut novel with premium hardcover features, 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.

Philip 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 and a Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book, illustrated by his wife and frequent collaborator, Erin Stead. He is the author and illustrator of The North Wind and the Sun, a Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year. He lives with Erin, their daughter, and their dog in a hundred-year-old barn in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Review Quotes:

"Gleefully ignores all the storytelling rules. . . . [R]eaders who only recently learned the rules [will] take pleasure in watching them get blown to pieces. . . . I have to applaud the quality of the production. . . . My respect goes to any publisher willing to invest in creating an object that is pleasing to the hands as well as to the eyes. Books can still be a rich tactile experience for young readers who tire of swiping and tapping on glass."--The New York Times

"A ragtag ensemble, a daunting task, an uncertain journey: Here are all the makings of a classic fantasy tale, with the bonus additions of Mr. Stead's droll humor and eye for whimsical detail."--The Wall Street Journal

"[A] warmhearted middle grade debut, told via nonlinear chronology and tongue-in-cheek prose. . . . Stead employs delightfully absurd, intricately labyrinthine plotting to comedic and dramatic effect, wittily manipulating structure and narrative while using clever wordplay to weave an inspiring tale that intrigues from the jump. Finely lined grayscale artwork renders the ragtag cast with rich texture and fairy tale charm."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Exuberant wordplay and a wryly witty narrative distinguish this broadly humorous and endearing fantasy in which a young goatherd's charges escape their servitude. . . . Stead's narrative voice is warm, intimate, and slightly goofy, enveloping the reader in the storytelling process. Running jokes invite giggles, homey adages are sandwiched between tiny goat silhouettes, and Latin phrases (many hilariously misused) and their translations pepper the text. Atmospheric, whimsical drawings enhance this story, which will please fans of Norton Juster and Terry Pratchett. . . . A perfect amount of magic."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Playful is the first word that comes to mind when describing lauded picture-book creator Stead's first novel. . . . Throughout this clever tale, Stead contributes finely lined and crosshatched illustrations that play to its humor and absurdities. These qualities will delight fans of Matt Phelan's Knights Vs. books, while the underlying warmheartedness, sturdy as a goat, and Stead's storytelling aplomb will resonate with Kate DiCamillo devotees."--Booklist (starred review)

"A charmingly labyrinthine fantasy with broad appeal for those who enjoy clever narration and lightly chaotic quests; a strong addition to collections."--School Library Journal (starred review)

"Brimming with clever wordplay, entertaining absurdity, and tremendous creativity."--Shelf Awareness (starred review)