Hocus and Pocus and the Dragon Next Door

Magical puppies Hocus and Pocus have a new neighbor: Bye-Bye the dragon! Hocus is delighted, but Pocus is nervous about making friends--and about fire breath. A funny and affirming adventure.

On a walk around the neighborhood delivering potions with their magical family, puppies Hocus and Pocus discover that the wizard next door, Jade, has a new pet--a dragon named Bye-Bye. Hocus is excited! She loves making new friends and thinks Bye-Bye's wings and fire breath are cool. But Pocus is afraid. He already has five friends, which feels like a lot. Plus Bye-Bye might eat them! Right? When Hocus bounds into Bye-Bye's yard wanting to play, the dragon shies away, then chases her off. Could it be that Bye-Bye isn't scary--she's scared? How can the puppies help? Maybe if Hocus uses a potion to turn into a dragon temporarily, or if Pocus learns some friendly phrases in dragon language, it might help Bye-Bye open up. And it just might help Pocus feel braver, too. This charming series continues with another fun-filled and enchanted romp in a world where everyone can be their unique selves.

Author: A. R. Capetta
Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
Published: 03/04/2025
Pages: 96
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.90lbs
Size: 8.30h x 6.50w x 0.70d
ISBN: 9781536224931
Audience: Ages 4-8


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 12/15/2024
School Library Journal 10/01/2025 pg. 46

About the Author
A. R. Capetta (they/them) is the author of numerous young adult novels, including Echo After Echo, The Lost Coast, and Lambda Literary Award winner The Heartbreak Bakery. The Hocus and Pocus series is their first foray into writing for younger readers. A. R. Capetta lives in a small town in the mountains with their family, including two dogs who make almost as much mischief as Hocus and Pocus.

Charlene Chua (she/they) is the author-illustrator of Hug? and the illustrator of numerous books for young readers, including the Stonewall Book Award winner and Lambda Literary Award finalist Love, Violet by Charlotte Sullivan Wild; Bye Bye, Binary by Eric Geron; and the Amy Wu series by Kat Zhang. Charlene Chua lives near Toronto.