The Story of Gumluck the Wizard

Starred review from June 19, 2023
Rex (A Little Like Waking) deftly wraps big themes—friendship, honesty, justice, self-awareness—into an absurdly silly and heartfelt series launch chronicling a wee wizard’s quest to become a helpful hero. Cheerful-to-a-fault Gumluck the wizard is ambling through his weekly routine of using magic to clean his house for visitors when he meets a raven named Helvetica—the tale’s wise, sarcastic narrator, who frequently addresses readers directly (“Maybe you didn’t know you were reading a story told by a raven. If you do not like it, you can leave”). Helvetica observes, via humorous and insightful commentary, as Gumluck does the bidding of rude, ungrateful characters; becomes haunted by a ghost in his hair; and is the subject of the townspeople’s ridicule, all in his pursuit of being crowned the Harvest Hero in this year’s annual festival. But some tough love from Helvetica and a revelatory nighttime visit from the Truth Fairy spark reflection for Gumluck. Pencil-like b&w illustrations capture the novel’s most poignant moments with an animated vibe, depicting Gumluck as a short, roundish figure with wispy black hair whose skin tone reflects the white of the page, in a goofily magical kingdom with a bustling fantastical population. Ages 6–9. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House.

Starred review from May 1, 2023
Grades 2-4 *Starred Review* Gumluck is a small, helpful wizard whose story is relayed by the curmudgeonly but good-hearted raven, Helvetica. Helvetica disapprovingly observes that the townsfolk like asking favors of Gumluck without giving him anything in return, not even a thank you. As the requests pour in prior to the Harvest Dance, Gumluck wields his sometimes-wonky magic and harbors hopes of being named this year's Harvest Hero. But when Gumluck refuses an unethical request from the town's snooty prince, unkind gossip starts to circulate about the wizard behind his back, and an unexpected trip into the Haunted Forest leaves him haunted by a small ghost named Butterscotch. Rex can always be counted on for a laugh, and there are many to be found in this early chapter book, namely in the distinct characterizations and Helvetica's snarky asides. Amid the fairy-tale action (a crisis at the castle requires Gumluck to come to the rescue), Rex embeds heartfelt messaging about friendship, kindness, and gratitude that never gets sappy, and his pencil illustrations inject even more magic into this spellbinding read.

COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from June 15, 2023
The adventures of a kindly if na�ve wizard who wouldn't mind being crowned this year's Harvest Hero. In a tale that will charm the pants off readers, moony young Gumluck--looking a proper "buggy-bumper" in the acid words of surly raven narrator Helvetica--uncomplainingly dishes out magical favors to unappreciative locals in hopes they'll vote for him for Harvest Hero at the upcoming Harvest Dance. It doesn't look likely, as "Prince Whoop-de-doo," who looks like "a fancy toilet brush" (Helvetica, again), always wins because his royal dad counts the votes. But after venturing into the Haunted Forest and emerging with both a lost child and a tiny ghost, enduring a disheartening visit from the Truth Fairy, and saving everyone when the king's castle falls off its steep hill, all comes right for Gumluck in the end. Meanwhile, Gumluck has time to consider deep questions like whether a lie can be good and a truth bad. "Truth is good," the wizard concludes, "but I think helping is better." By the end he's even won over Helvetica, who christens him a "darling old noodlehead." So he is, in the finest tradition of noodleheads the world around. His short, beardless, light-skinned figure shares space with lightly caricatured companions and townsfolk (some of whom appear to be of color) in the monochrome pencil drawings that decorate or sometimes fill nearly every page. Rejoice, noodlehead fans! Here's a tale to treasure. (Fantasy. 8-10)

COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from October 20, 2023

Gr 1-3-Helvetica the raven wryly narrates the tale of Gumluck, an earnest little wizard who lives outside the village and grants magical favors to the ungrateful villagers who come knocking, even when it costs him. But Gumluck's refusal to cast a nefarious spell for the arrogant Prince Whoop-de-doo (who "look[s] like a fancy toilet brush") earns him the mockery of everyone in the village. Unaware of his new reputation, the eager-to-please Gumluck grants an unwise wish for the king, accidentally putting all the villagers in danger. After Helvetica, a tiny ghost named Butterscotch, and a straight-talking fairy convince Gumluck that he's been used and mistreated, the wizard has a choice to make: will he save the villagers from their imminent doom? Rex perfectly renders the wide-eyed Gumluck and his companions and naysayers with just a few deft strokes, both in the pencil illustrations and in the beautifully compact, emotionally profound text. Gumluck is wise but guileless, clumsy but powerful, tender-hearted but superbly courageous. Readers will fall in love with him just as cranky Helvetica does. VERDICT Purchase multiple copies-you'll want to put Gumluck into every little hand and heart that comes your way.-Rachel Owens

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.