Hocus and Pocus and the Snow Day Sorcery

Hocus and Pocus and the Snow Day Sorcery

It’s time for the town Winter Solstice party and puppies Hocus and Pocus are ready to help out with their own special magic! This sweet series continues with plenty of spells, friends, and snowy fun. Everyone in Inkwell is excited for the Winter Solstice party, including magical puppies Hocus and Pocus. Pocus wants to play in the snow, and Hocus wants to eat snowflakes! Finally, the longest night of the year arrives and everybody turns out to celebrate with maple popcorn, hot cider, and enormous pumpkins (thanks to a plant warlock). The only thing missing is—snow! Without a fresh dusting, how can Hocus and Pocus’s friends make snow sculptures and race snowflakes? The puppies notice a new striped tent at the edge of the party: Nimbus the Sorcerer! Handmade Wishes! Hocus and Pocus know just what to wish for. Nimbus pulls a tiny snowglobe from behind their back, and says to be careful—this is a very big, very delicate wish. The puppies try, but their excitement gets away from them, and soon it is TOO snowy for the party (and Hocus’s feet are pawsicles!). Luckily, the citizens of Inkwell have a few cozy charms up their sleeves. This latest adventure glows with warmth and winter magic. 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 perennially young pups are again sure to please early chapter-book readers. . . . A warmhearted wintry tale. —Kirkus Reviews A. R. Capetta is the author of numerous young adult novels, including Echo After Echo , The Lost Coast , and Lambda Literary Award winner The Heartbreak Bakery . The Hocus and Pocus series is their first foray into writing for younger readers. A. R. Capetta lives in a small town in the mountains with their family, including two dogs who make almost as much mischief as Hocus and Pocus. Charlene Chua is the author-illustrator of Hug? and the illustrator of numerous books for young readers, including the Stonewall Book Award winner and Lambda Literary Award finalist Love , Violet by Charlotte Sullivan Wild; Bye Bye , Binary by Eric Geron; and the Amy Wu series by Kat Zhang. Charlene Chua lives near Toronto. Chapter One: The Party Winter brought three things to the big purple house where Hocus and Pocus lived. First: tiny sweaters. Second: cozy time in front of the magical fireplace. Third: an invitation. Jinx, the witch who lived in the big purple house, brimmed and bubbled with joy as she read the card. “Everyone in Inkwell is invited to the Winter Solstice Party.” “What’s a winter solstice?” Pocus asked. “It’s the shortest day and the longest night of the year,” Jinx said. “The whole town celebrates!” Ofelia said. “Every witch, wizard, and warlock in Inkwell brings magic to this big party. And apprentices get to put on a magic show.” “My favorite part is the snow,” Tam added. “I have always wanted to play in snow!” Pocus cried. “I have always wanted to eat snowflakes,” Hocus said. “I’m not sure about this party, though,” Pocus said. “What if it’s too big? Or loud? Or long? Or cold? Or—” “Oh, bats,” Jinx said. “There’s only a week left until the party! I’ve barely started getting ready!” “How much getting ready can you do for one night?” Hocus asked. “Even if it is the longest night of the year?” The answer was: a lot. Jinx flew around town and helped dec- orate. She cleaned out cauldrons to fill with party drinks. She helped the apprentices with their special talents for the magic show. Archer whizzed around the tower of the big purple house on his broom, going faster and faster as Jinx gave him tips. He was planning to race a snowflake on the night of the solstice, but for now, he only had a paper one to practice with. Tam worked on calling the winter creatures of the woods in their own languages. When only one little fox turned up in the garden, Jinx said, “Don’t worry, Tam. The rest will come after the snow starts.” Ofelia wanted to make a snow sculpture, so she tried using ice from the freezer, but it just wasn’t the same. And it kept melting! She waved her wand to refreeze it. When that didn’t work, Jinx cast a circle of protection so it wouldn’t spill all over the kitchen. Jinx and the apprentices were having a very busy week. Much too busy for cozy time in front of the fireplace. Jinx didn’t even notice when Hocus unraveled half of her tiny sweater with her teeth. “I miss our witch,” Pocus said. “Me too,” Hocus said. “We will have to get her attention. We’re such good dogs that she doesn’t see how much we miss her.” “I think you might be right, Hocus,” Pocus said. “But how do we get her to notice us?” Hocus and Pocus tried being extra adorable. Hocus and Pocus tried being extra magical. Hocus and Pocus tried being extra mischievous. “I know what we have to be!” Hocus said. “Extra helpful . We’ll help with the party.” “Does that mean we have to go to the party?” Pocus asked. Hocus huffed. “Of course it does.” “I think I can do it,” Pocus sa