Bizard the Bear Wizard (Bear Wizard #1)

by Chrissie Krebs (Author)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade
Series: Bear Wizard

An ordinary bear gains extraordinary magical powers in this hilarious early graphic novel reader.

Bear was just an average bear, until the day a tornado lodged an out-of-control wizard's wand in his head. Now he looks a bit like a cross between a bear and a unicorn. He is none too pleased, but it seems he might be stuck with the wand for the foreseeable future. Even worse, he now has the ability to grant wishes--something he wants no part of. He'd much rather spend his days dozing away.

His friends give him a new name--Bizard the Bear Wizard--and he reluctantly accepts his new magical powers and starts granting wishes to everyone in the forest. But when the evil wolf and his bad guys threaten them all, Bizard knows it's time to embrace his magical destiny. Only he and his newly wanded head can save the day now. Along the way, Bizard's friends, Fox, Owl, and Squirrel, all bring their own brand of kooky support to his antics as he uses . . . and accidently misuses, his powers.

From the talented author-illustrator Chrissie Krebs comes the first of two hilarious younger graphic novels about Bizard and his friends.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

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$14.99

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Kirkus

Quirky fun, with a good message.

ALA/Booklist

Playful, cartoonish artwork matches the silly story in this easy-to-read graphic novel, which is full of jokes sure to keep elementary-schoolers giggling and a meaningful message about generosity, kindness, and being responsible. Episodic story structure and open panels will make this a good choice for emerging comics readers.

School Library Journal

When a magical wand lands on his head during a windstorm, Bear begrudgingly becomes Bizard the Bear Wizard. He reluctantly starts to help his friends and neighbors, but things quickly become complicated as more and more animals find out about Bear's magic. The story ends on a simple lesson about forgiveness, but the overall story feels sporadic, as subplots are suddenly introduced and wrapped up just as abruptly. However, the focus seems to be on the humor and the hilarious wishes the animal friends make, like a squirrel who wants to turn into a ninja, but then becomes a nut—creating a laugh-out-loud situation where Squirrel now finds itself delicious. Likewise, the simple word choice makes this ideal for readers who want to tackle longer graphic novels like "Dog Man," but don't yet have the vocabulary. Artwork feels equally simple and childlike, and matches the tone exactly. VERDICT Simple and silly.—Peter Blenski

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"Exaggerated, cartoony figures with wide, expressive eyes populate the forest, and the simple paneling keeps the story focused. The book ends on a note of generosity. . . ."—The Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books

Chrissie Krebs
Chrissie Krebs has illustrated several picture books, including Pig in a Wig, A Dinosaur Ate Dad's Hair, and There's Something Weird in Santa's Beard. She also illustrated Rodney Loses It by Gerard Bauer, which was named a CBCA Children's Book of the Year for Early Childhood. She lives in Australia. Visit her at chrissiekrebs.net.
Classification
-
ISBN-13
9780823454877
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Holiday House
Publication date
June 20, 2023
Series
Bear Wizard
BISAC categories
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV037000 - Juvenile Fiction | Fantasy & Magic
JUV008110 - Juvenile Fiction | Comics & Graphic Novels | Humorous
JUV008050 - Juvenile Fiction | Comics & Graphic Novels | Animals
Library of Congress categories
Bears
Magic
Forest animals
Graphic novels
Wishes
Comics (Graphic works)
Animal comics
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

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