A Potion, a Powder, a Little Bit of Magic
Or, Like Lightning in an Umbrella Storm
Philip C. Stead
Readers rate it 5.0 (1 on Hardcover)
Released 2026 · Neal Porter Books
Content report card
What's inside
Violence
Fighting, weapons, death
Language
Swearing, crude humor
Sexual content
Romance intensity, nudity
LGBTQ+ themes
Presence of characters or themes
Scary or mature
Horror, trauma, heavy themes
Substance use
Alcohol, drugs, smoking
What it offers
Positive messages
Kindness, courage, honesty, resilience
Positive role models
Characters who model good judgment and growth
Educational value
History, science, culture, how the world works
A note for parents
This is a whimsical fantasy adventure by Philip C. Stead (known for imaginative, character-driven children's stories) featuring a determined protagonist solving problems with help from quirky companions. The chaotic, deliberately out-of-order narration and playful tone suggest humor and creativity over genuine danger or mature content. The story rewards resourcefulness, kindness, and resilience while offering a lighthearted romp through a magical world with no profanity or inappropriate themes.
Analyzed by AI · 19 hours ago
From the publisher
A plucky goat keeper named Bernadette embarks on a chaotic quest to retrieve a runaway goat, and with help from a forgetful wizard and a Boat That Does Not Grant Wishes, in an out-of-order tale narrated by an author scrambling to finish it. A plucky goat keeper named Bernadette embarks on a chaotic quest to retrieve a runaway goat, and with help from a forgetful wizard and a Boat That Does Not Grant Wishes, in an out-of-order tale narrated by an author scrambling to finish it.
Shelved under
- Juvenile Fiction
- Strong Character Development
- Fantasy
- kids-mg
- supporting my local library
- Children
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ISBN 9780823458097 · Neal Porter Books