Spells to Cast on Your Parents

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.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs