Attention, aspiring wizards! Grab your wands, capes, and geckos and dive into this hilarious and clever picture book by award-winning author-illustrator Keith Negley.“Wizard enthusiasts of all ages will be tickled. Pure magic for the wizard-curious." – Kirkus ReviewsSo you want to become a wizard? Excellent choice.
Magic, like everything in life, takes practice and patience. It's important to know that you will make mistakes. For example, you might accidentally turn your friends into fish, or yourself into a turnip. This is all normal. Remember, magic is more about wondering than knowing. Also explosions.
This handbook covers everything from essential materials--a stick (not too pokey); a cloak (a towel works fine); a hiding place; and snacks--to spell casting, duels, and did we mention snacks?
In turns hilarious and thoughtful, this how-to guide sparkles with just as much wisdom as it does magic.
On sale: August 25, 2026
Age: 4-8 years
Grade: Preschool - 3
Page count: 40 Pages
ISBN: 9798217318568
Keith Negley is a Kate Greenaway-nominated author-illustrator of books for children—and a sometimes professor. He is a frequent contributor to
The New York Times and
The New Yorker in addition to other national publications. Keith received his BFA from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, and his MFA from The School of Visual Arts in New York City. He lives in Washington with his family and cat, Cake Batter. To learn more about Keith, please visit www.keithnegley.com.
"A tongue-in-cheek introduction to sorcery...All the straight-faced silliness is enhanced by mixed-media art that often depicts the sudden onset of supernatural events (“Don’t try ‘Summon Baby Dragon’ until you can handle Momma Dragon”). Wizard enthusiasts of all ages will be tickled. Pure magic for the wizard-curious."
– Kirkus Reviews
"With writing trending in turns snarky, absurd, and reflective, this picture book affirms a whimsy-first approach of taking life by the unicorn’s horn. Thick, jewel-toned colored-pencil lines and vibrant gouache paint make bold, blocky shapes on beige backgrounds, drawing clear influence in both writing and page design from Jon Klassen’s foundational school of hat retrieval. Negley’s unique character design gives the impression of colorful paper dolls expressively posing across the guide, wizardly sleeves and cloaks flapping with abandon... This stands as a cheeky addition."
– The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
