Wizard at Work

I do love Vande Velde's work, especially her light & humorous juveniles. The only problem with this - too short! So, was the witch cursing him, or just giving free advice, when she said, "You'll never find true happiness until you learn to be less judgemental and look beyond the surface of things." - ? Don't get me wrong, though - mostly it's the people who hire the wizard who are given a chance to learn a lesson, not the wizard himself. And yet... do any of them actually do so?

Oh...now I so enjoyed this one!! A light, humorous and well written book of related (by the main character) short stories. The main character, a young wizard instructor on his summer vacation (who incidentally disguises himself during the school year and occasionally at other times as an aged wizard, because as he says, no one believes that a young man can be a wizard). Throughout the story, we find this wizard just trying to get some gardening done and enjoy his vacation...but he is dragged away from home over and over again in what amounts to some very slyly told adventures!

I think this author is one we will definitely be reading again! Both my kids enjoyed it and it was a nice twist on some of the better known fairy tales and even a show more little bit about the origins of the Lock Ness Monster...very cute! I laughed out loud in a couple of places...but mostly it was sly in way that kids can relate to if they've already heard all the standard tales.

A few illustrations would have been nice, but the cover provides enough of a beginning visual and while this intended audience is kids and teens from about 8-14, the language is vivid and expressive enough to pull off a good telling even to younger kids, if you do the voices and tell it in an expressive way. Heck, as an adult I certainly enjoyed it...maybe more than I should have. I give this one an A+ and both the kids gave it two thumbs up! This is a keeper! show less

Fun - not deep, but several nice stories. And a moral, of sorts, though I don't really understand where the witch comes in to it. If she's got such great perception, why are her kids spoiled brats? The first story, with the ugly stepsister, is neat. I don't much like the dragon one - poor dragon. Or the ghost one - poor ghost, and the rest of the castle inhabitants. The end was clever, though. And I do like the last story - the wizard got exactly what he deserved, and so did the princess. Proper happy ending. It's a little young/simple for me - I doubt I'll read it again - but I'm pleased to have read it.

Now that his students are on summer vacation, an unnamed wizard planned to spend his own summer relaxing and puttering around his cottage. But alas, he is constantly interrupted by cursed princesses, lazy princes, greedy dukes and marauding unicorns. The wizard never doubts his magical abilities or his own skills, but he is often disappointed by the behavior of the people he's trying to help. It's lighthearted and fun, with humorous twists on the lesson not to judge by appearances. It's definitely meant for a young YA audience.

Adorable - I do love Vande Velde's children's books.