As much as I love Patricia MacLachlan, Wondrous Rex, was a bit “off” for me. I think this is because it was just too short! Sometimes novels only need a “handful” of pages and sometimes two
handfuls. Because of this shortness, it would have made a fantastic longer than usual sized picture book. The other part that was a tad off for me was that Grace seemed a bit mature for being just 7. Yet, the child reader will have no issues with this.
The story is basic: Grace lives next door to her aunt Lucy, who is a writer. After school one day, Grace sees pickles and freshly baked cookies out. This means Lucy is having writers block. And she has sent out an ad to find an assistant that can help her. Give her a little magic. And magic she does find! Grace’s side story is, her teacher thinks Grace has the makings of a writer herself. But Grace is not sure. Both learn that magic comes in all shapes, sizes and breeds when a magician named Maxwell see’s Lucy’s ad and knows his dog, Rex, would be the perfect assistant. Not only will Rex help Lucy (and Grace) but Lucy and Grace can help Rex.
Due to this being a reader copy (due March 2020), the illustrations were not complete. But what they had looks like they do a bang-up job in capturing events. Over all, it is a fun book for the “middle just reading chapter books” and for anyone who has love for reading, writing, dogs, pickles, humor or magic!