HOCUS AND POCUS AND THE SNOW DAY SORCERY

Excitement builds as magical pups Hocus and Pocus anticipate the Winter Solstice Party—and the prospect of snow.

Jinx, the pups’ witchy caregiver, is so busy with party prep that the pair, missing her, seek a way to recapture her attention. They resolve to be “extra helpful” as the whole community—witches, warlocks, and nonmagical people alike—pitches in. The celebration is splendid, but it fails to snow, a sine qua non for a fun time. Nimbus, the wish-granting sorcerer (who uses they/them pronouns), might be able to help, but they explain that the pups will need to concentrate all their desires onto just a single wish. After Hocus reluctantly casts aside thoughts of bat jerky, Nimbus rewards them with a charmed snow globe, and the canines joyfully spread the snow until the perpetually panicky Pocus accidentally knocks the globe over. Soon there’s far too much snow. Jinx comes to the rescue, casting a circle of protection and lighting magical candles to ward off the darkness. Everything culminates in a moment of wonder that shows everyone that sometimes the best surprises are the most unexpected. Lots of action, lots of feelings, and lots of bright art speed the eight chapters along as if on the magical skates that save the day. The determined young pups are again sure to please early chapter-book readers. Jinx is brown-skinned with pinkish-purple hair, while other human characters vary in skin tone; the cast’s pronouns are provided in an opening gallery.

A warmhearted wintry tale.