Hocus and Pocus and the Spell for Home

K-Gr 3–Stories featuring cute dogs or magic are always popular, and this book will be no exception. This series centers puppies who are “slightly magical and more than slightly adorable.” Hocus and Pocus are littermates who want to stay together and be adopted into the same home. They create quite a bit of mischief to make sure they are not separated, even stowing away in the bag of Jinx the witch to reach her house. While looking for potions the puppies meet Jinx’s apprentices, who live with her while they train. Can these mischievous canines use the “spell for home” to find their own forever family? Digital illustrations capture the caramel and cocoa colors of Hocus and Pocus, the magenta of Jinx’s hair, and other vivid tones that bring the story to life. The expression on Hocus’s face as she enjoys a belly rub, and the frightened look of Pocus as he is chased by gigantic bees add to the characterization in the text. The theme of acceptance and belonging is reinforced by the diversity of the apprentices in appearance and gender; they each mention which pronouns they use (he/him, she/her, they/them) as they introduce themselves.