The Wizard, the Ugly and the Book of Shame

Pablo Bernasconi (author)

Random House, Australia: 2004

ISBN: 174166072

Genres: fantasy, picture book

Issues: identity, self-esteem, values

Leitmeritz is a great wizard who uses his ancient Red Book of Spells - ‘ancestral, and eternal and unique'- to help people around the realm: ‘elves, children, old people and fairies'. His assistant, Chancery, however, he can't help.

Chancery is blue (literally) and the people of the village call him ugly. Saddened by this, he doesn't believe the wizard when Leitmeritz tells Chancery that his ‘shame has nothing to do with magic' but is merely a ‘triumph of the mirror'.

When the wizard is away, Chancery takes the opportunity to read a spell from the Red Book. He doesn't change but something happens to the book - all the spells become muddled and when Leitmeritz refers to it, nothing turns out the way it should. The only way the Red Book can be fixed is if Chancery learns to like himself. His devotion to the wizard gives him the courage to make the attempt what Chancery regards as an impossible task, with remarkable results.

The slightly humorous collage style illustrations add depth to this poignant, whimsical story. Chancery's struggles with his self-esteem and self-concept will resonate with older and younger readers and challenge their perceptions of beauty, as well as emphasising the importance of love and forgiveness.