Wizard At Work [Hardcover]

Vivian Vande Velde (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books (1980)
• ASIN: B000N76HHA
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a wizards work is never done!, August 23, 2004

By 

Melissa Sack (georgia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wizard at Work (Paperback)

This book is about a wizard who is a teacher to young wizards. He is looking forward to his summer vacation. He is dreaming of doing things like working in his garden, fish and take LOTS of naps. While on vacation he has many interruptions. First he has to resuce a princess, then lift a curse. Evey time he tries to relax someone needs his help! Will the wizard ever get any rest before school starts back? Read this fun book to find out!

The book moved at a fast pace. It will hold the attention of young readers well.

We recommed this to children who enjoy fantasty books. This is a good one to start with because it's only 134 and can be read fairly quickly.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for Kids & Adults Alike, August 26, 2006

By 

Amy Graham (Scottsdale, AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wizard at Work (Hardcover)

Oh...now I so enjoyed this one!! A light, humorous and well written book of related (by the main character) short stories. The main character, a young wizard instructor on his summer vacation (who incidentally disguises himself during the school year and occasionally at other times as an aged wizard, because as he says, no one believes that a young man can be a wizard). Throughout the story, we find this wizard just trying to get some gardening done and enjoy his vacation...but he is dragged away from home over and over again in what amounts to some very slyly told adventures!

I think this author is one we will definitely be reading again! Both my kids enjoyed it and it was a nice twist on some of the better known fairy tales and even a little bit about the origins of the Lock Ness Monster...very cute! I laughed out loud in a couple of places...but mostly it was sly in way that kids can relate to if they've already heard all the standard tales.

A few illustrations would have been nice, but the cover provides enough of a beginning visual and while this intended audience is kids and teens from about 8-14, the language is vivid and expressive enough to pull off a good telling even to younger kids, if you do the voices and tell it in an expressive way. Heck, as an adult I certainly enjoyed it...maybe more than I should have. I give this one an A+ and both the kids gave it two thumbs up! This is a keeper!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An enchanting book, December 20, 2004

By 

M. A. Bechaz "bookaholic" (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wizard at Work (Hardcover)

This is a short, sweet, sensational book that should appeal not only to fans of Harry Potter but also lovers of classical fairytales. Wonderfully written and fast paced, it is both witty and wickedly funny. Almost more like a series of short stories than a novel, each chapter sees the hero of the story, a young wizard, embarking on a new adventure--or misadventure.

This is an easy read for the 8 to 12 year old market, and should tempt even the most reluctant of young readers, but in my view it will also definitely appeal to any older teens and adults looking for a good read as well.