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Spells to Cast on Your Parents

by Pete Holmes Publisher: DOUBLEDAY & CO

Bestseller

A read-aloud where children cast the spells

Regular price $18.12 USD
Regular price $30.21 USD Sale price $18.12 USD
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Awards & Recognition

  • Bestseller

    New York Times bestseller

AlbakiReads Editorial

A read-aloud where children cast the spells

Pete Holmes builds this picture book around a playful role reversal: young readers take the narrator’s part and direct spells at their grown-ups. The comic transformations include falling asleep mid-sentence, moving in slow motion, making animal sounds, and speaking gibberish, while a wisecracking dragon named Jesse joins the action. Interactive call-and-response makes reading aloud part of the book’s central game, connecting its fantasy premise with shared family silliness. The setup gives children an imaginative turn at being in charge, with the grown-ups enlisted as willing participants in the performance.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Families seeking an interactive read-aloud to share with children ages 4–8.
  • Young readers who enjoy fantasy, dragons, silly spells, and playful participation.

Themes

Imagination and pretend playFamily reading togetherRole reversal and child-led playHumor

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - Comedian and actor Pete Holmes conjures up a tale where kids run the show in this hilarious interactive picture book. With a wisecracking dragon heckling from the sidelines, young readers will cast delightfully ridiculous spells that turn grown-ups into giggling, snoring, clucking bundles of chaos.

"Pete has created something really amazing here--a book you can read to your kids and you're BOTH laughing. I loved it." --Judd Apatow

"This is THE greatest idea for a children's book. It's a lot of power wielding for someone who still needs help reaching the cereal, but since I'm scheduled to moo at 4PM, it clearly works." --Tig Notaro

Snakes that slither, frogs that leap,
Make my grown-up FALL ASLEEP!
SIP-SAP-SOAP-SHHHHH!

Featuring a snarky dragon named Jesse--and YOU as the narrator--Pete Holmes's debut children's book celebrates silliness, imagination, and the magic of reading together. Each page invites young readers to cast a spell on their grown-up--causing them to fall asleep mid-sentence, talk in slow motion, make animal noises, or speak total gibberish.

Spells to Cast on Your Parents isn't just a picture book--it's a full-blown performance, an instant family event, and a fun twist on the traditional bedtime story. And beneath all the mayhem, it's a story that celebrates the power and wonder of being a kid. With mounting mischief, interactive call-and-response, and pitch-perfect comedic timing, this is a book children will demand again and again.
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Eligible items can be returned within 30 days in accordance with our return policy.

Customer reviews

M
AlbakiReads
Malaika Taylor

I highly recommend to for anyone looking for inner clarity

T
AlbakiReads
Thomas DiMassa

Great service and fast service

Great shopping experience! The book arrived quickly, was well packaged, and matched the description perfectly. I would definitely shop with you again

O
AlbakiReads
Olivia

Smooth.