The Spell of a Story - by Mariajo Ilustrajo (Hardcover)

About the Book

"In this spellbinding story, we meet a little girl excited for the summer vacation. No more school! However, she's given the very unreasonable task of reading a whole book over the holidays. A whole book? but she HATES books. Luckily, her sister takes her to the library and says she has just the thing. From the award-winning author comes a magical story about the joy of discovering a connection with books for the very first time"--

Book Synopsis

*Winner of the Klaus Flugge Prize for Illustration 2023*

From the award-winning creator of Flooded and Lost comes a magical story about the joy of discovering a connection with books for the very first time.

*2025 CBC Librarian Favorites Winner*

This brightly illustrated adventure story is perfect for kids who claim to hate reading, as the enchanting narrative opens their eyes to a fantasy world created by words on a page.

In this spellbinding story, we meet a little girl excited for the summer vacation. No more school! However, she's given the very unreasonable task of reading a whole book over the holidays. A whole book? but she HATES books. Luckily, her sister takes her to the library and says she has just the thing.

Slowly, the little girl is drawn into a world of adventure inside her own imagination, for the very first time. Even the grayscale world starts to fill with color as she is carried away in the story. A little fennec fox leads her to meet fairytale witches and creatures as they find ingredients to cast a special spell at the end of her book.

The little girl is dismayed to learn that this spell seemingly hasn't changed a thing. However, the little fox points out that she is completely transformed: discovering the power of her imagination has changed her forever.

This charming and engaging picture book shows children how wonderful books can really be, leaving them with a lifelong affinity for reading. Discover adventure on every page and get lost in The Spell of a Story.

Review Quotes

"Readers are sure to fall under the spell of Ilustrajo's story ... a book that is sure to inspire a love of reading in anyone who has the privilege of reading it."

--CLDC

"A magical tale perfect for encouraging a love of literature in little ones."

--Waterstones

"heartwarming story that shows us how the power of a good book can open up the world of reading and the many worlds we can encounter within them."

--JustImagine

"This charming and engaging picture book shows children how wonderful books can really be, leaving them with a lifelong affinity for reading."

--ReadingZone

'This award-winning author and illustrator is on top form.'

--Express Digest

'Inspiring and entertaining story [...] a witty treat from start to finish'

--Mail on Sunday

'A little girl who says she hates books is encouraged to pick one up at the library and is thrust into a series of brightly hued adventures, with a mysterious masked creature transporting her to magical forests, a witch's cottage and more. This heroine is enchanting, as are the worlds she finds herself in, and Ilustrajo has a charming and convincing message about the joy of getting lost in a good book.'--The Bookseller - Editor's Choice

About the Author

Mariajo Ilustrajo is an award-winning Spanish illustrator based in the UK. She completed her MA in Children's Illustration from the prestigious Cambridge School of Art, before going on to be crowned the overall winner of the World Illustration Awards. Her debut picture book, Flooded, has been translated into 20 languages and won the Klaus Flugge Prize for Illustration.