A potion, a powder, a little bit of magic : or, like lightning in an umbrella storm / a story out of order by Philip Stead.
"In a kingdom ruled by a capricious king, the castle rests on the backs of twenty-four goats, and the welfare of those goats rests on the back of a girl called Bernadette. So when one goat escapes, it's up to her--with the help of a very forgetful wizard and a Boat That Does Not Grant Wishes--to bring it back safely. Her task may be straightforward, but this book is anything but. Like a swirling herd of restless goats, the chapters are all out of order. The ending may prove to have been the beginning all along. All the while, the author of Bernadette's saga--a character himself--hurries to write her a resolution, with very mixed results. And if you're feeling lost, don't worry; the story has twenty-four morals, of varying advisability, to edify you along the way. Award-winning picture book author and illustrator Philip Stead makes a confident debut as a novelist in this laugh-out-loud, one-of-a-kind illustrated tale, chock-full of running gags, broken fourth walls, and underdog triumph." -- Provided by publisher.
Record details
- ISBN: 9780823458097
- ISBN: 0823458091
- Physical Description: 328 pages : illustrations, map ; 21 cm.
- Edition: First edition.
- Publisher: New York : Neal Porter Books / Holiday House, [2026].
- Copyright: ©2026
Content descriptions
- General Note:
- Pagination may vary.
- Target Audience Note:
- Ages 10 and up Neal Porter Books / Holiday House.Grades 4-6 Neal Porter Books / Holiday House.
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Available copies
- 29 of 50 copies available at NC Cardinal. (Show)
- 1 of 1 copy available at Nantahala Regional Library.
Holds
- 0 current holds with 50 total copies.
Show Only Available Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moss Memorial Library | J F STE (Text) | 80605001963049 | Juvenile Fiction | Available | - |
Accessibility Features
Summary:
"In a kingdom ruled by a capricious king, the castle rests on the backs of twenty-four goats, and the welfare of those goats rests on the back of a girl called Bernadette. So when one goat escapes, it's up to her--with the help of a very forgetful wizard and a Boat That Does Not Grant Wishes--to bring it back safely. Her task may be straightforward, but this book is anything but. Like a swirling herd of restless goats, the chapters are all out of order. The ending may prove to have been the beginning all along. All the while, the author of Bernadette's saga--a character himself--hurries to write her a resolution, with very mixed results. And if you're feeling lost, don't worry; the story has twenty-four morals, of varying advisability, to edify you along the way. Award-winning picture book author and illustrator Philip Stead makes a confident debut as a novelist in this laugh-out-loud, one-of-a-kind illustrated tale, chock-full of running gags, broken fourth walls, and underdog triumph." --
