“Tales from Hoop ’n’ Holler: The Wizard’s Apprentice” by Jim Henry and Jimmy Patterson

Tales from Hoop ’n’ Holler: The Wizard’s Apprentice
Jim Henry and Jimmy Patterson
Illustrated by: Marjorie van Heerden
Willy Nilly Stories LLC (2019)
ISBN 9781939368232
Reviewed by Alyvia (age 11) for Reader Views Kids (8/19)

“Tales from Hoop ’n’ Holler: The Wizard’s Apprentice” is the first book in a new series by Jim Henry and Jimmy Patterson. In the beginning of the book is a short story about the friendship of Hopper (aka Thump) and Willy Nilly, sharing how Hopper got his new name. I liked how the book started right off involving an adventure with the two friends, then went into the magical part of the story.

The two meet up with the wizard’s apprentice, Wendy, and have to help her transform herself back into a human again. It was really creative how Wendy made a bird type creature out of the branches of a tree for the group to use to fly around on and find the wizard and rescue him from the evil sorcerer (who looked like a vampire). There are a few spells in the book to help them get out of trouble, as they try and free the wizard from Vultura’s castle that is surrounded by winged guards and piranhas in the lake.

I think my favorite part in the book was when it got to the part of the rescue. The pictures are dark and scary, to build the creepy mood for the reader. My favorite character of the story would have to be Wendy. I loved how she was creative with the way she did magic and how she looks like Pippy Longstocking. She is fearless and determined to help the wizard. I liked the cover of the book and the purple pages to accent the color to make the book look more magical.

“Tales from Hoop ’n’ Holler: The Wizard’s Apprentice” by Jim Henry and Jimmy Patterson is a fun story with magic and friendship to get the characters through tough spots. The book itself is really nicely made with beautiful pictures. The illustrations in the book are done with bright colors, and fairy-tale-like scenes. I definitely recommend this book for kids who like books about magic and adventure.