“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

“Exuberant wordplay and a wryly witty narrative distinguish this broadly humorous and endearing fantasy in which a young goatherd’s charges escape their servitude…A perfect amount of magic.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“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.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Playful is the first word that comes to mind when describing lauded picture-book creator Stead’s first novel, as much from the way he plays with form as from the whimsical and comical details he scatters about the tale. Strip all that away and you have a classic fantasy-adventure plot featuring a greedy, uncaring king and a poor, mistreated girl who embarks on a quest to put things to rights.”
—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)

“For sensitive story-loving kids, this will be a landmark fairytale. A Potion, a Powder, and a Bit of Magic offers giggle-worthy entertainment, lovely illustrations and a wholly unpredictable plot.”
—BookPage (starred review)

“For fans of goats, wordplay, and the absurd.”
—The Horn Book

“Fans of choose-your-own adventure books will traipse along the various storylines as happily as Steve. . . .”
—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Phil Stead’s debut novel is a ‘Dada’ playbook of crafty nonsense that takes the genre of cut-ups, dice-rolls, and winks to the reader and tumbles them into a clever reading romp. The story refreshes itself as it deftly shifts about, turning the structure into a medley of charming mischief. Duchamp would approve! You don’t have to know why you are reading it—just read it at full speed and enjoy!”
—Jack Gantos, Newbery Honor–winning author of Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

“A Potion, a Powder, a Little Bit of Magic is exactly right. Wildly funny, completely discombobulated, and deeply heartfelt. A must-read for all humans, and goats.”
—Jon Scieszka, National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature and New York Times bestselling author of The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!

“You know how when you tell a story you start in the middle, then you back up, add characters, jump forward, and then try to tie it all together but you can’t? Well, that’s what Philip Stead does in A Potion, a Powder, a Little Bit of Magic. Only he can. You know, tie it all together. And he adds twenty-four morals. Here’s one more: ‘Read this book and rejoice.'”
—Chris Raschka, two-time Caldecott Medal winner and Hans Christian Andersen Medal nominee