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The Story of Gumluck and the Dragon’s Eggs: Book Two
The story of Gumluck continues! Introducing the second installation in a laugh-out-loud and critically acclaimed chapter book tale from the one and only Adam Rex.Readers, be warned! This book contains three precious eggs, one confused dragon, a very silly wizard, and the tiny ghost who haunts his hair.The follow-up to The Story of Gumluck the Wizard, one of Amazon’s Top 20 Children’s Books (Age 6-8) and Publishers Weekly’s Best 20 Middle Grade Books of the year, finds everyone’s favorite noodlehead wizard at it again in another hilarious adventure of mistaken identity, courage in the face of fire (literally), and the most unlikely friendship in all of Prince Whoop-de-doo’s unlikely little kingdom.With entirely delightful illustrations and a lighthearted mix of fantasy and fairytale elements, this imaginative book is perfect for young fans of wizardry, magic, and the special alchemy of friendship.THE DYNAMIC DUO OF GUMLUCK AND This hapless wizard and his lovingly critical friend Helvetica the Raven are memorable characters young readers will love rooting for.EVERYONE LOVES GUMLUCK THE Named a best book of the year by Kirkus Reviews, the Chicago Public Library, and many more, Book One in the series received multiple starred reviews, "Adorable."—Shelf Awareness, starred review"Readers will fall in love with [Gumluck]."—School Library Journal, starred review "Silly and heartfelt."—Publishers Weekly, starred review"[A] spellbinding read."—Booklist, starred review"Here's a tale to treasure."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review FAVORITE Acclaimed children's book creator Adam Rex is known for his funny and smart stories. The winner of countless state list awards, Rex is the author of beloved books, including On Account of The Gum, Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich, School's First Day of School, and many more.Perfect of Adam RexParents and grandparents seeking funny early chapter book seriesTeachers and librarians looking for engaging fantasy and magic books for emerging readersAnyone looking for funny, fantasy chapter booksReaders who enjoy Chris Colfer's A Tale of Magic, the Unicorn Academy series, and Magic Tree House books
132 pages, Hardcover
Published September 10, 2024
About the author
Adam Rex
77 books761 followersAdam Rex grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, the middle of three children. He was neither the smart one (older brother) or the cute one (younger sister), but he was the one who could draw. He took a lot of art classes as a kid, trying to learn to draw better, and started painting when he was 11. And later in life he was drawn down to Tucson in order to hone his skills, get a BFA from the University of Arizona, and meet his physicist wife Marie (who is both the smart and cute one).
Adam is nearsighted, bad at all sports, learning to play the theremin, and usually in need of a shave. He can carry a tune, if you don't mind the tune getting dropped and stepped on occasionally. He never remembers anyone's name until he's heard it at least three times. He likes animals, spacemen, Mexican food, Ethiopian food, monsters, puppets, comic books, 19th century art, skeletons, bugs, and robots.
Garlic and crosses are useless against Adam. Sunlight has been shown to be at least moderately effective. A silver bullet does the trick. Pretty much any bullet, really.
Adam is nearsighted, bad at all sports, learning to play the theremin, and usually in need of a shave. He can carry a tune, if you don't mind the tune getting dropped and stepped on occasionally. He never remembers anyone's name until he's heard it at least three times. He likes animals, spacemen, Mexican food, Ethiopian food, monsters, puppets, comic books, 19th century art, skeletons, bugs, and robots.
Garlic and crosses are useless against Adam. Sunlight has been shown to be at least moderately effective. A silver bullet does the trick. Pretty much any bullet, really.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 30, 2024
Book 2 in the Gumluck the Wizard series for kids 8-12 is great fun, with its charming illustrations and engaging story. A winner!
May 4, 2024
I will read and love every Gumluck book ever
September 15, 2024
While I do think it would be impossible the recapture the magic of the first Gumluck book, Adam Rex brings some of the same fantastic elements to play here in the second book (of what I hope will be at least about annual series). His art…it’s just fantastic. It’s kinetic and full of whimsy and oozes personality for all the characters. I honestly wish there was more of it. The plotting in this story is much tighter — many setups have build up throughout the narrative and payoffs towards the final two dozen pages. You lose a little bit of the awe that was discovering the world of the first book, and Gumluck feels a touch less significant here — this one feels much more like a Helvetica story that Gumluck and Butterscotch (dear, sweet Butterscotch) tag along for. Adam, and this should be no surprise for anyone who reads any of the books he pens, is really funny. My wife was laughing as we read Gumluck to our son earlier before a nap, and I was even laughing to myself as I finish the book later this evening.
I’m so glad these books exist. Seriously. I hope we get more. But I definitely treasure the two we have.
I’m so glad these books exist. Seriously. I hope we get more. But I definitely treasure the two we have.
July 24, 2024
Adam Rex's Gumluck the Wizard is back with his friends, Butterscotch the Ghost and Helvetica the Raven. Helvetica, an eminently practical and cautious bird, is also the narrator. Gumluck somehow seems to destroy her nests so Helvetica goes into the woods and finds what she thinks is the perfect spot. She builds her nest and lays three beautiful eggs. Unfortunately, what Helvetica thought was an ideal spot for a nest, happens to be in the middle of a dragon's nest! How will Helvetica get her eggs back when the dragon believes they are dragon eggs? Can Gumluck help her or will his silliness get in the way as usual? Find out in the second Gumluck chapter book, The Story of Gumluck and the Dragon's Eggs.
July 11, 2024
Witty, fun, and filled with word play, I gotta say, I was probably most like Crow, and would have been holding my head with my wings as some of the silliness played out, but it all works out for the best...sort of. ;) I didn't read the first book, but was instantly drawn in nonetheless. If you can't uncover the charm of this one for yourself, you might need to take a break for a little silliness of your own! Great fun for younger readers, but those outside the target age range will have as much fun (or maybe more!) if given the proper chance!
*ecopy received via Publishers Weekly Spring/Fall 2024 Grab-A-Galley; opinions are my own
*ecopy received via Publishers Weekly Spring/Fall 2024 Grab-A-Galley; opinions are my own
July 22, 2024
I received and ARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I don't think I could ever get enough of Gumluck. Or Helvetica, actually. They are such rich characters written somehow with depth despite the short length of the story. The illustrations are beyond adorable and they are exactly what one would want to go along with the story. This particular story hits on the depth of a mother's love and the lengths to which she will go to keep her children safe and close. Gumluck also teaches a lot about mistakes, making things right, and the value a person who makes mistakes as well as the mistakes they make. Kids won't have a clue they're learning.
I don't think I could ever get enough of Gumluck. Or Helvetica, actually. They are such rich characters written somehow with depth despite the short length of the story. The illustrations are beyond adorable and they are exactly what one would want to go along with the story. This particular story hits on the depth of a mother's love and the lengths to which she will go to keep her children safe and close. Gumluck also teaches a lot about mistakes, making things right, and the value a person who makes mistakes as well as the mistakes they make. Kids won't have a clue they're learning.
September 8, 2024
Gumlock is a silly wizard who does not know why he does what he does until later. One thing Gumluck did was yawn. That yawn travelled around until it finally returned at the end of the book. What a trip. Living with Gumluck is Butterscotch the ghost and Helvetica the raven. Helvetica was hunting for a place to build a nest safely for her eggs. But her chosen location involved her with a dragon, several contests, a nasty prince and a butler. A fun read for all ages with plenty of illustrations that help set the mood of the story.
Thanks Netgalley and Chronicle Books for the chance to enjoy this title!
Thanks Netgalley and Chronicle Books for the chance to enjoy this title!
July 11, 2024
I received an advance reader copy of this book and read it in one sitting. Not hard to do since it's a shorter book, of course, but I've put down shorter ones! Gumluck continues to be his charming silly self in this second installment, and as with the first, his silly magic comes in handy in all sorts of unexpected ways. I will have to get physical copies of this and the first one for my child, because this is just the sort of story I want to read at bedtime.
August 21, 2024
Gumluck has completely stolen my heart. He is ridiculous and exasperating and wonderful! There's magic, dragon(s), an incredibly spoiled prince, and a narrating raven. Everything you need for the perfect middle-grade fantasy novel. I love that they are thin and approachable for our emerging readers. This series is an instant classic and I can't wait to read them aloud to my students!
July 11, 2024
Loved this second adventure with Gumluck, Butterscotch, and Helvetica! Thia book was so cleverly written, and I'm not going to say much more than that because I think it's best to just go in knowing nothing about it and enjoying the journey!
August 1, 2024
Heartfelt, laugh-out-loud funny, and just as great as the first one. Gumluck is a noodlehead I could read about forever!
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September 25, 2024Another winning mix of wisdom and silliness.
October 13, 2024
Quirky, charming, funny. Adam Rex has done it again!
November 9, 2024
Fantastic read aloud early chapter book, and super funny for the adults reading also.
September 10, 2024
I was so happy to see book two appear that I jumped right into it and devoured the story that made my day so much better. Great also to read aloud with your family.
I love these characters and their whimsical silly stories and adventures filled with misunderstanding between them but also with life lessons and deep meaning.
There are those who know much about the magical world, but the real world can be confusing, and there are the ones who get confused by the magical things of the world. Still friendship, found family, adventure, and kindness united both worlds in a perfect story.
In this volume, Helvica, the wise raven, makes a nest in a dragon's nest by mistake, and now the dragon is convinced that the three eggs are hers. Time for some trials to see which dragon the eggs belong to (...dragons have necks, I have a neck, therefore I am a dragon and that guitar may be one too, ahah)
Even the silly Prince makes his appearance as well just to complicate things. There is also an invisible character who is not Butterscotch the ghosts, but one whi journeys far and fast.
Although the characters are the same as book.1 (most of them) each volume can be read as a standalone. Each has a story to solve.
The illustrations, as always, are amazing. I love looking at the details of them all.
I love these characters and their whimsical silly stories and adventures filled with misunderstanding between them but also with life lessons and deep meaning.
There are those who know much about the magical world, but the real world can be confusing, and there are the ones who get confused by the magical things of the world. Still friendship, found family, adventure, and kindness united both worlds in a perfect story.
In this volume, Helvica, the wise raven, makes a nest in a dragon's nest by mistake, and now the dragon is convinced that the three eggs are hers. Time for some trials to see which dragon the eggs belong to (...dragons have necks, I have a neck, therefore I am a dragon and that guitar may be one too, ahah)
Even the silly Prince makes his appearance as well just to complicate things. There is also an invisible character who is not Butterscotch the ghosts, but one whi journeys far and fast.
Although the characters are the same as book.1 (most of them) each volume can be read as a standalone. Each has a story to solve.
The illustrations, as always, are amazing. I love looking at the details of them all.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews