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Hocus and Pocus #1
Hocus and Pocus and the Spell for Home
From award-winning author A. R. Capetta comes a new first-chapter-book series delivering plenty of puppies, magic, and charm.Puppies Hocus and Pocus are still waiting to be adopted from the Shelter for Slightly Magical Pets. Even though Hocus can see two minutes into the future and Pocus can turn bad feelings into bubbles (which he eats!), nobody seems to want them. This could be because the two keep causing mischief so they won’t be separated. When Jinx the witch uses a “spell for home” potion to help a color-changing tortoise find his match, the puppies know what to sneak both their hairs into the mixture to ensure they get adopted together. But with these two, anything can happen—from a shrinking spell to giant bees! Can the puppies, along with Jinx and her young apprentices—witch Archer (he/him), wizard Ofelia (she/her), and warlock Tam (they/them)—fix the magical mess? And will they finally find a home, maybe even right under their noses? This adorable new series takes readers to a vibrant world full of magic, community, surprises, and welcoming homes.
Kindle Edition
Published May 28, 2024
4 people are currently reading
3632 people want to read
About the author
A.R. Capetta
21 books890 followersA. R. Capetta (all pronouns), the author of Echo After Echo and The Lost Coast, has lived in Austin and worked as a professional baker and holds a master of fine arts in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. A. R. Capetta is married to author Cory McCarthy, and they live in Vermont with their young baker.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 23, 2024
For those who are trying to avoid gender ideology in their childrens books this is a book to avoid! Each character that is introduced will include their preferred pronouns and there is a "they/them" character. We stopped reading after the third character introduced gave their preferred pronouns.
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June 20, 2024See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/hocus-...
HOCUS AND POCUS AND THE SPELL FOR HOME is a charming chapter book about finding a place to belong. A witch named Jinx found five puppies and realized they were slightly magical, so she brought them to the Shelter for Slightly Magical Pets where they would be taken care of until they could be adopted. While three of the pups were quickly adopted, Hocus and Pocus remained. They wanted to be adopted together, so they would cause mischief whenever Hocus would look 2 minutes into the future and see that the people would only be adopting one or the other. Pocus can take negative feelings from people and make them into bubbles, which he could then eat.
Jinx comes in after a while with a spell for home that she uses to help an old tortoise find the perfect home. Since Hocus and Pocus have been there for a while, she decides to make the spell for each of them too. Fearing being separated, they slip into her bags so that they can make the potion a combined one and find a home together. Once at Jinx's house, they meet her three apprentices and find themselves in the middle of more mischief- but they also think they've found a home - if only Jinx wasn't worried about having her hands full with the apprentices and magic!
What I loved: This was such a sweet story of family, friendship, and belonging. The pups really come to life in the story with plenty of personality and silliness. The magical abilities added something extra to the book, and brings up plenty of fun opportunities for the future. The characters are all approached with a lot of love, and the pups get introduced to the three children apprentices from whom I am hoping to see even more in future books.
The story is inclusive with the way characters are introduced and addressed. The themes will resonate with young readers, who may sometimes cause their own mischief and value friendship and family. Seeing a story from an animal's perspective tends to be a hit in this age group, and this one is no exception! This is definitely a series we are looking forward to continuing.
This is a particularly special chapter book, as it includes large, full color illustrations throughout. It really bridges that gap between picture book and chapter books beautifully. The images are fantastic and unique, appealing to young readers who love pictures but are moving on to more in-depth stories. The font is large and easy to read throughout, making this a great series for early independent readers. The chapters are a good length, but not too intimidating.
Final verdict: With unforgettable characters, a delightful dose of magic, and enchanting illustrations, HOCUS AND POCUS AND THE SPELL FOR HOME is a charming early chapter book that is sure to be a hit with young independent readers. Themes of family, friendship, and belonging make this a relatable story that children can really sink their teeth into.
Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
HOCUS AND POCUS AND THE SPELL FOR HOME is a charming chapter book about finding a place to belong. A witch named Jinx found five puppies and realized they were slightly magical, so she brought them to the Shelter for Slightly Magical Pets where they would be taken care of until they could be adopted. While three of the pups were quickly adopted, Hocus and Pocus remained. They wanted to be adopted together, so they would cause mischief whenever Hocus would look 2 minutes into the future and see that the people would only be adopting one or the other. Pocus can take negative feelings from people and make them into bubbles, which he could then eat.
Jinx comes in after a while with a spell for home that she uses to help an old tortoise find the perfect home. Since Hocus and Pocus have been there for a while, she decides to make the spell for each of them too. Fearing being separated, they slip into her bags so that they can make the potion a combined one and find a home together. Once at Jinx's house, they meet her three apprentices and find themselves in the middle of more mischief- but they also think they've found a home - if only Jinx wasn't worried about having her hands full with the apprentices and magic!
What I loved: This was such a sweet story of family, friendship, and belonging. The pups really come to life in the story with plenty of personality and silliness. The magical abilities added something extra to the book, and brings up plenty of fun opportunities for the future. The characters are all approached with a lot of love, and the pups get introduced to the three children apprentices from whom I am hoping to see even more in future books.
The story is inclusive with the way characters are introduced and addressed. The themes will resonate with young readers, who may sometimes cause their own mischief and value friendship and family. Seeing a story from an animal's perspective tends to be a hit in this age group, and this one is no exception! This is definitely a series we are looking forward to continuing.
This is a particularly special chapter book, as it includes large, full color illustrations throughout. It really bridges that gap between picture book and chapter books beautifully. The images are fantastic and unique, appealing to young readers who love pictures but are moving on to more in-depth stories. The font is large and easy to read throughout, making this a great series for early independent readers. The chapters are a good length, but not too intimidating.
Final verdict: With unforgettable characters, a delightful dose of magic, and enchanting illustrations, HOCUS AND POCUS AND THE SPELL FOR HOME is a charming early chapter book that is sure to be a hit with young independent readers. Themes of family, friendship, and belonging make this a relatable story that children can really sink their teeth into.
Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
June 29, 2024
Adorable, magical, perfection. Loved the premise, loved the illustrations, loved the representation. I don’t want to wait for #2!
June 3, 2024
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central
Hocus and Pocus and the oldest and youngest of a slightly magical litter of puppies that a young witch finds and turns in to the local rescue. Because they are adorable puppies, it seems likely that they will be adopted quickly, but the two don't want to be adopted separately like their siblings Double, Trouble, and Toil. They come up with a plan to use their wiles to dissuade people from adopting only one of them, as well as their magical powers. Hocus can see two minutes into the future, and Pocus can make peoples' anxiety go away in a magical bubble. When months ago by and they are still not adopted, they change their tactic and hope to convince people to adopt them together. When the young witch who found them, Jinx, who uses she/her prounouns, comes to the shelter to look at another animal, they find out about her Spell for Home, and hope to use it for themselves. They stow away in her bags, brave a ride on her broom, and end up in her castle. They meet her three apprentices, including Archer (he/him), Ofelia (she/her) and Tam (they/them). The castle is very big and has lots of equipment and material in it, and the apprentices are very busy, so it doesn't take long for disaster to occur. Hocus and Pocus end up at the shelter again, and need to reassess. Luckily, Jinx has noticed that the Spell for Home on their behalf has turned blue, and she apologizes for not recognizing sooner that they would be a perfect fit for her. It turns out that they might be HIGHLY magical, and they will be back in another adventure, The Dragon Next Door, in the spring of 2025.
This story has lots of pictures in full color, and has larger text and fewer words than some chapter books, so it's a good transition from I Can Read sorts of books. The colors are bright and engaging, and Hocus and Pocus are so cute that this will be an easy sell to any six to eight year old.
The magical elements all make sense, and the castle is an interesting setting. Who knows what magic these two furry friends might be able to manage after some tutelage from Jinx and her apprentices?
Magical puppies would be the absolute best, but there are other good early chapter books with magical connections as well. Once Hocus and Pocus cast their spell on your young readers, you can try Elliott's Dragons in a Bag, Citro's Zoey and Sassafras, Chapman's Star Friends, or Daisy Meadows' Magical Animal Friends to keep the magic alive.
Hocus and Pocus and the oldest and youngest of a slightly magical litter of puppies that a young witch finds and turns in to the local rescue. Because they are adorable puppies, it seems likely that they will be adopted quickly, but the two don't want to be adopted separately like their siblings Double, Trouble, and Toil. They come up with a plan to use their wiles to dissuade people from adopting only one of them, as well as their magical powers. Hocus can see two minutes into the future, and Pocus can make peoples' anxiety go away in a magical bubble. When months ago by and they are still not adopted, they change their tactic and hope to convince people to adopt them together. When the young witch who found them, Jinx, who uses she/her prounouns, comes to the shelter to look at another animal, they find out about her Spell for Home, and hope to use it for themselves. They stow away in her bags, brave a ride on her broom, and end up in her castle. They meet her three apprentices, including Archer (he/him), Ofelia (she/her) and Tam (they/them). The castle is very big and has lots of equipment and material in it, and the apprentices are very busy, so it doesn't take long for disaster to occur. Hocus and Pocus end up at the shelter again, and need to reassess. Luckily, Jinx has noticed that the Spell for Home on their behalf has turned blue, and she apologizes for not recognizing sooner that they would be a perfect fit for her. It turns out that they might be HIGHLY magical, and they will be back in another adventure, The Dragon Next Door, in the spring of 2025.
This story has lots of pictures in full color, and has larger text and fewer words than some chapter books, so it's a good transition from I Can Read sorts of books. The colors are bright and engaging, and Hocus and Pocus are so cute that this will be an easy sell to any six to eight year old.
The magical elements all make sense, and the castle is an interesting setting. Who knows what magic these two furry friends might be able to manage after some tutelage from Jinx and her apprentices?
Magical puppies would be the absolute best, but there are other good early chapter books with magical connections as well. Once Hocus and Pocus cast their spell on your young readers, you can try Elliott's Dragons in a Bag, Citro's Zoey and Sassafras, Chapman's Star Friends, or Daisy Meadows' Magical Animal Friends to keep the magic alive.
September 23, 2024
This puppy-focused new series promises to have young readers entranced and under a love spell due to its adorable dog characters, Hocus and Pocus, each of whom has a special magical ability. The pups are staying in the Shelter for Slightly Magical Pets, but they long for a real home. But since they want to be adopted together and are a tad mischievous, that hasn't happened yet. The text and digital illustrations follow the puppies when they add a little something to a potion that might make their dreams come true--or might go horribly wrong. Readers who are fond of dogs and like just a touch of magic in their reading material will enjoy the puppies' story and eagerly anticipate the next installmeny.
June 4, 2025
Sometimes (oftentimes) we get cool new beginner chapter books at work and sometimes (most times) I want to read a few to see what kind of reader I could recommend this to during reader's advisory. Sometimes the world is also on fire and reading an early chapter book about cute magical dogs and a magical, witchy, inclusive world sounds like a lot of fun. This book was really sweet and the illustrations were adorable and cozy! I think readers of Mercy Watson, Owl Diaries, and Heidi Heckelbeck would really enjoy this series. (Also, I've read a few of this author's YA works and was excited that they are writing books for younger readers now!)
April 6, 2025
Why doesn't it surprise me that people are rating this book 1 and 2 stars because a main character uses they/them pronouns?!?
My kiddo and I had a wonderful time reading this one a couple of chapters at a time before bedtime. The magical elements and animals make it a great introductory fantasy book for younger readers (6-9). Capetta weaves in themes related to family, belonging, community, and friendship that really pave the way for interesting conversations (at least it did for my family). Overall, this was a wonderful start to a new series. We're already reading book #2!
My kiddo and I had a wonderful time reading this one a couple of chapters at a time before bedtime. The magical elements and animals make it a great introductory fantasy book for younger readers (6-9). Capetta weaves in themes related to family, belonging, community, and friendship that really pave the way for interesting conversations (at least it did for my family). Overall, this was a wonderful start to a new series. We're already reading book #2!
October 31, 2024
This was a wonderfully cute book. Some slightly magical dogs are taken to a shelter, and each find a home. However, Hocus and Pocus want to go to a home together. But to do that, they must create mischief to get adopted by the perfect person. They might even have to steal away to a witch home to prove that they belong. This is a full color early chapter book, and it was magical. You’ll love the characters you’ll love the pets. You’ll love the book.
July 18, 2024
No notes. Adorable. A great first foray into early chap books. The illustrations are fantastic, colourful, expressive, gorgeous! The characters are a diverse group, each memorable but simple for an easy kids book. There a potion of BEES!
The fish are terrifying and I don't care if they're magical, the should be sent back to the abyss where they came from. Put that angler fish back.
The fish are terrifying and I don't care if they're magical, the should be sent back to the abyss where they came from. Put that angler fish back.
November 7, 2024
A cute, heartwarming tale about puppies finding their family. The only thing that made it a slightly difficult read is that there were two parts where the story was told in the picture, and one would have to make an inference based on the picture (e.g. where it started raining) and not everyone can intuitively understand that. But the story was a lot of fun.
February 12, 2025
Shelter for slightly magical pets - how fun!
Hocus can see future in 2 mins, Pocus can snuggle and can make bad feelings float away into a colored bubble and then eat it
Do they need to say pronouns of all the human (adults and kids) characters? Does the target audience even notice that? Fun, easy transitional chap book illustrated
Hocus can see future in 2 mins, Pocus can snuggle and can make bad feelings float away into a colored bubble and then eat it
Do they need to say pronouns of all the human (adults and kids) characters? Does the target audience even notice that? Fun, easy transitional chap book illustrated
March 13, 2025
Early chapter book. I love this newer series with 2 dogs who become the pets of a girl witch and then meet all her witchy friends. I can see this being very popular with younger readers who like magic and animals. The text and story feel very early chapter book. Abit longer, but the words are easy to read and the chapters are short. There is also a plot which is nice.
May 12, 2025
This book is super cute. Illustrations are beautiful, main characters are interesting (both dogs and humans), and it did a great job of character introduction and world building. Emily hasn't read it yet but I think she'll love it.
May 31, 2024
Adorable! I love the inclusivity and whimsy at play in this book and am definitely looking to acquire the next!
June 26, 2024
Adorable and cozy. Great match between (full color) art and text.
July 5, 2024
Really adorable
July 8, 2024
Adorable entry in a promising new bridge series. Colorful illustrations and fun characters.
September 14, 2024
Hocus and Pocus is a new early chapter book that I think kids will love. What’s not to love? Magic and puppies are everyone’s favorites.
October 18, 2024
Very cute
February 17, 2025
Super cute new series for early readers, with full colour illustrations throughout, making it a great transition from picture books to chapter books.
February 19, 2025
Not sure why pronouns are necessary in a book meant for elementary school kids.
June 3, 2025
This is a very cute story about two puppies trying to find a home. Imaginative, innocent and silly. I look forward to the rest of the series.
June 29, 2025
As a parent, this book looked cute. But this author is force feeding gender ideology into a children’s book. Shame on her.
July 10, 2025
What a lovely series starter for kiddos. Great characters, respectfully written with gorgeous illustrations.
August 23, 2025
This is one of my granddaughter's favorite books and it IS cute!
July 7, 2025
Cute story with fun illustrations. It might be a little mischievous, but kids will have fun with this sibling duo.
June 17, 2024
👦🏻reviews: I love he characters, the graphics and the storyline. Even though this is a spooky-ish story, I love how it is not overwhelming but it feels like it is simply the story of Hocus and Pocus and spooky story. I like it and I recommend this funny and definitely a cute book!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews