A WIZARD IN LOVE

Don’t be misled by the flowers on the title page: The story opens to present Hector, a retired wizard, and Poison, his cat, lying on a crumby (as in cookies) bed in a disheveled blue room. Hector and his cat look pretty spiky and edgy, especially when they are awakened by a dreadful sound. It comes from the newly painted house across the way; a peek through the window reveals a woman playing a piano and singing in a lovely voice. This “infernal racket” sends Hector to his spells, and he makes an “evil cake” to bring over (although Poison accidentally turns into a dragon first). But when he does, Isobel and her pretty voice melt his heart: He’s in love. Lafrance’s whimsical illustrations make the most of the contrast between the worlds, varying palette accordingly, winding in iconic images of evil (bats, carnivorous plants) and good (doves, flowers) and posing Hector’s stumpy roundness against Isobel’s stately height. Both verbally and visually entirely funny—the swooning evil cake is a sight to behold—this offbeat import is a sophisticated treat. (Picture book. 5-9)