Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC for this book. A wonderful tale of a reluctant reader discovering the joy of books. The illustrations add to the enjoyment of this experience!

The little girl at the centre of this story definitely does not like reading and she is not impressed when her teacher tells the class that they are expected to read a book over the school holiday. The situation worsens when she is taken to the library to choose the book. She turns down all recommendations (in one case, out of disgust at reading a book where a mermaid wants to become human because of a handsome prince, which I rather liked!) but eventually leaves with one that her sister enjoyed when she was younger. When she starts the book, she finds that it really isn't that bad, as she is transported to another world. The illustrations, at this point, become bold and bright and colourful, compared with the muted pastels of the previous pages. The little girl meets new characters and discovers new places on her adventure and eventually falls under the magic spell of books and stories. A lovely, stunningly illustrated book that would be an excellent addition to a school or class library, particularly to show those children who dislike books, that it's ok to dislike something but that maybe they just haven't yet found the right "spell" for them.

The Spell of a Story
By Mariajo Ilustrajo
Frances LIncoln Children's Books

The Cover drew me into this little tale and the graphics/illustrations tugged at my sight. Sometimes I wish I was a kid who could give a kid point of view. I liked the illustrations the story was okay and predictable and I wonder if kids need a book that addresses non readers and the magic of a story to draw them in. I will give it a 4 out of 5 as a picture book it was very good, and I can't answer the question of the storyline.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ebook.

Oh my gosh, this will be PERFECT to promote summer reading to elementary classes! (Which is good, because I am completely sick of the one I used last year) It’s about a girl who is assigned to read a WHOLE book over summer vacation. Clearly the worst punishment ever. But her mother takes her to the library and she finds a book she actually likes, and falls into the story. The illustrations do a great job of getting this across - becoming more vivid and detailed as she falls deeper into the fantasy world. My only (small) gripe is with the font, which is all caps and a little tough to read. Hopefully something that plays better on the actual page than on my screen. (Ever since I started researching materials for the dyslexia collection, I’ve started to rebel against all-caps fonts, which are tough for struggling readers) But that’s a minor gripe - this is really great.

When she discovers she must read one full book over vacation, a young girl discovers the power of reading - and that she loves it.

This book has a beautiful illustration style and depicts the power of reading artfully. The reader is shown how you can be drawn into a a world just from opening a book. As a librarian I'm appreciative that the child and her mother went to a library to find a book, and showed how a bookshelf might look to a reluctant reader, and later to someone who's discovered the power of books.

This book is great for any child in their elementary career.

This book was meant to foster a love of reading. The characters are purposely made in two tone colours at the beginning.

Reading on summer vacation sounds like a bore to the main character and so do libraries.

When she reads a book her mom read as a child, she's skeptical, and then suddenly, her life is in bright colour.

The girl goes through all kinds of adventure themes found in novels and goes along a quest with a masked mouse.

Suddenly, she cant get enough of reading and speeds through her routine just so she can get back to her book.

Its so true of how us readers feel when we are taken over by a great book. This is a great story for kids!

“The Spell of a Story” is a book that even should have in their classroom when it releases. So many students nowadays either struggle with reading or have a dislike for it due to our education system and how reading is presented. Mariajo Ilustrajo does an amazing job encouraging readers to find books that captivate them and take them to another world in their minds. The character is never criticized for their dislike in reading, but instead is taken to the library to find the perfect book for them. To watch them fall in love with reading reminds me the first time I found a book I could not put down.

This book is so good! It made me laugh. It filled me with joy. And it left a very satisfied smile on my face.

This book is perfect for young readers who like to read, as well as those who would rather not. Both will find something to relate to in the book. I also encourage adult readers to give this one a try. It will remind you of the joy of reading.

A real celebration of the transformative power of reading.

OMG! HONESTLY IM REALLY REALLY REALLY LIKE THIS BOOK!

Its reminds me how I start reading and make this as a hobby. Since I was a kid, i hate reading, same as the story told inside this book. Until finally I found one book that makes me fall in love with reading. Hopefully same thing goes to my kids when she found the right book and make reading as a hobby. Thanks for the ARC!

SO VERY PRECIOUS.

The spell of a story is a children's picture book that perfectly encapsulates the joy and magic of reading. The main character, a little girl that hates reading, seeing it as a tedious chore, gets assigned to read a book for the summer by her teacher. Her sister takes her to the library, and she dreadfully picks out a book to read. Soon she finds herself lost in an imaginary world, and unable to put down her book.

This was such a heartwarming little story that perfectly captured the making of a bookworm! Absolutely recommend!!

Cute and basic book to get children more interested in reading. I like the idea behind the story; teaching children how exciting reading can be from an early age is important.
I would have liked the text to be a little bigger/easier to read. I know the illustrations are at the forefront to capture children’s attention, but I believe easily seeing the letter/words on the page is also important.

I loved this book! It’s a great book to show how amazing books can be. I have so many kiddos in my life who don’t like reading so I love to be able to share this with them potentially.

This was such an enjoyable read about the power of reading. The protagonist is relatable, so this book would be excellent for a child who may not love reading - yet. I would certainly recommend this book to teachers, librarians, and bookstore owners to read during a story time.

5★
“Finally, it’s the last day of school. That means no more waking up early, no more pop quizzes, and most importantly, no more reading.
‘Enjoy the vacation, and don’t forget to read a book.’”

NO! That can’t possibly be right. It’s supposed to be a time for kids to have fun and relax. Our horrified student goes home to complain, presumably to Big Sister (since the dedication is to the author’s big sisters who showed her “the power of reading.”)

Big Sister says it’s time to hit the library. NO! Little Sister moans and groans to the cat, to no avail, who curls up and goes to sleep, as cats do. Big Sister makes good on her promise/threat, and to the library they go.

My Goodreads review has an illustration with the caption:
“They look even more boring when they’re all together. How do you choose? They’re all just quiet and tall.”

She browses unsuccessfully through a few. “A mermaid who wants to become human because of a handsome … prince? Puuuurlease.”

Notice that Big Sister, however, is turned slightly to the right, having spotted something peeping out of a book on the Adventures shelf.

“ ‘Why don’t you try this one? I read it when I was your age?’”

Little sister says it looks even bigger at home, like the longest book that ever existed. It will take all summer to read it.
My Goodreads review has two illustrations with the caption:
“WOW! Where am I?”

Bright jungle colours, bright clothes and boots on our young reader, and she’s off, led by a small, mouselike creature with a mask and a big fluffy tail.

My Goodreads review has an illustration with the caption:
“ ‘No time for questions. Quick. Follow me! We are late!’”

There is a circuitous route on a map with many features detailed: “DARK MOUNTAINS (where big strange creatures live), The Big Piranha Swamp, Cave of Horror, pirates, witches, and a short-cut bridge (extremely dangerous), the Unknown Land”

Her guide explains they need to collect ingredients, and it’s a colourful hunt that ensues. Flowers, monsters, bats, pirates! “ ‘Something tells me this isn’t going to be a cake recipe.’”

Finally they arrive at the witches’ house where her guide will hunt for an ingredient while she has tea and chats, to distract the witches.

My Goodreads review has an illustration with the caption:
“’Quick! What’s taking so long?’ ”

All of a sudden her reading is rudely interrupted with a call to dinner and then bathtime. We see the book on the table, next to the bath, and under her arm as she brushes her teeth. She is told Lights Off, but is not ready for sleep. She whispers under the covers.

My Goodreads review has an illustration with the caption:
“ ‘I need to know how this ends. Where was I?’”

She returns to the story and her guide, who begins brewing the potion and, considering this is a children’s picture book and not a bestselling mystery, I feel I can reveal that the spell works! Her guide tells her she has fallen under the spell of a story. She admits she feels different.

My Goodreads review has two illustrations with the caption:
“ ‘Can we go back to the library…? I am ready for my next adventure.’

‘Already? I thought you hated books.’”

My Goodreads review has an illustration with the caption:
“ ‘I think I’ll need to try out quite a few more just to make sure.’ ”

Much of the book is written in what looks like handwritten capital letters. When the girl is reading her book, her imaginary conversation is in the usual mixed upper and lower case ‘handwriting’, but the guide’s words are printed in whatever the book font is (a simple sans-serif type), to indicate what is sparking her imagination. There are many examples of the capital letters. Here is an example of the mixed fonts.

My Goodreads review has an illustration showing both fonts.

When she goes adventuring in her reading, she leaves the rather monochrome real world behind for the bright colours of the book, as she risks the perils of crossing dangerous bridges over deep ravines.

Author/illustrator Mariajo Ilustrajo has done a beautiful job of showing a girl discovering a whole new world. Notice the bright foxes (and mask) on Big Sister as she is engrossed in her own library book. Lovely touch.

Thanks to #NetGalley and Frances Lincoln Children’s Books for the copy for review of #TheSpellOfAStory. It’s a delight.

The love of reading is one of the most important gifts to give a young child to promote their future academic success. This sweet story sets out to do just that. With charming illustrations and fun little characters, the reader is taken on a journey to discover just how fantastical, engrossing, and satisfying a good book can be. For an added bonus, it even encourages a love of libraries. The story made my heart happy. My early grade readers loved it and immediately ran off to find more books. Mission accomplished.

The Spell of a Story is a cute picture book that encourages kids who don’t like to read to find a book that they can really get into and learn to love reading. All readers have that one book that took them from just reading words to being enveloped into the story. This book celebrates that. The illustrations are pretty basic but lovely and get the point across. I enjoyed reading this book.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion.

This is a great children book and I think it depicts perfectly how it feels to be enraptured in the story of a good book.

I liked the illustrations and the fact that it all becomes super colourful when the character is reading.

In this story, the main character goes from reluctantly reading a whole book for an assignment, to intentionally going back to the library for more. It feels relatable and is definitely a charming story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quadro Publishing for this ARC in exchange of my honest review.

What a great children's book! I have loved books foe as long as I can remember and still have some of my first childhood books from the early 1960s. Mariajo Ilustrajo captures how I still feel about reading and sharing this story with my grandchildren was delightful! Thanks # NetGalley

First of all, this book has great illustrations! I loved the representation of the girl's imaginary adventures while she is reading. The story is heart-warming and a lovely one to read to kids who need encouragement to keep looking for books they like. I will be reading this to my students!

This is the book parents and teachers of reluctant readers have been waiting for. This sums up precisely what we try and tell the kids in a beautifully illustrated picture book adventure. Straight to the top of my recommendations list.