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hmills316's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a pleasant and enjoyable read tha makes one's soul happy.
fallingletters's review against another edition
4.0
Brief thoughts originally published 15 January 2015 at Falling Letters.
My first time reading something by Kate DiCamillo
A cozy tale, perfect for a winter's night with a big mug of hot chocolate. I took comfort in the slow, quiet story with its pleasant characters. I liked how the police officer Leo Matienne, down on the sidewalk, would talk to Peter up in his apartment and call him "little cuckoo bird of the attic world" (79).
DiCamillo writes gentle yet evocative prose. She creates a charming setting of an Eastern European town long ago. I can't imagine the tale in any different setting.
In the author description, DiCamillo shares that she "wanted, needed, longed to tell a story of love and magic". She succeeds in this task.
The handful of full-page illustrations by Yoko Tanaka suit the story well.
One dark moment when the elephant decides she wants to die startled me.
This is not a tale for everyone - certainly not if you don't like 'novel-length fables', as one Goodreads review describes it, but it delighted me. Admittedly, even for me this was a mood book. I tried it previously and couldn't get into it. I'm not sure what a 10 year old would make of this story (too dull?). While not particularly exciting, and not particularly deep, you may find this a pleasant little tale.
My first time reading something by Kate DiCamillo
A cozy tale, perfect for a winter's night with a big mug of hot chocolate. I took comfort in the slow, quiet story with its pleasant characters. I liked how the police officer Leo Matienne, down on the sidewalk, would talk to Peter up in his apartment and call him "little cuckoo bird of the attic world" (79).
DiCamillo writes gentle yet evocative prose. She creates a charming setting of an Eastern European town long ago. I can't imagine the tale in any different setting.
In the author description, DiCamillo shares that she "wanted, needed, longed to tell a story of love and magic". She succeeds in this task.
The handful of full-page illustrations by Yoko Tanaka suit the story well.
One dark moment when the elephant decides she wants to die startled me.
This is not a tale for everyone - certainly not if you don't like 'novel-length fables', as one Goodreads review describes it, but it delighted me. Admittedly, even for me this was a mood book. I tried it previously and couldn't get into it. I'm not sure what a 10 year old would make of this story (too dull?). While not particularly exciting, and not particularly deep, you may find this a pleasant little tale.
caitmarie24's review against another edition
5.0
I adore this book. Kate DiCamillo can do no wrong, in my eyes.
kymme's review against another edition
4.0
Very sweet! Who could resist a story with magic and an elephant and an orphan or two?
literallykalasin's review against another edition
4.0
"The Magician's Elephant" is a charming story about magic, families, and love.
librariandest's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. It was like DiCamillo was trying too hard to make this feel special. I found it annoying that it was so repetitive. The characters all say the same things over and over. The boy Peter is always taking his hat on and off.
And the worst part was the reader absolutely knows Peter's going to find his sister and the magician will send the elephant home so there was no real drama. The finding of the sister and sending home of the elephant were not even that exciting or interesting.
I'm a big fan of Winn-Dixie and Despereaux, so this was disappointing.
And the worst part was the reader absolutely knows Peter's going to find his sister and the magician will send the elephant home so there was no real drama. The finding of the sister and sending home of the elephant were not even that exciting or interesting.
I'm a big fan of Winn-Dixie and Despereaux, so this was disappointing.
stitchesnpages's review
3.0
Format: Print
I picked this up in 2021 when I went to an RSC production of it with a friend for my birthday. Looking for a short and relatively easy read while getting over covid, I finally picked it up at the start of the year.
This is a very clever book that really makes you believe that the unimaginable can happen, and if I’d read it when I was the age it’s intended for, I think it would have been a firm favourite. It is perhaps a bit dark in places and while I liked the addition of the illustrations, they were quite gloomy. Nonetheless, I thought the characters had great depth (although I wish we’d gotten more on the elephant – this shone through in the stage production but the book focused more heavily on the people) and there were some strong messages of love and hope through adversity. It gave me exactly what I needed at the time but for me it didn’t live up to the stage show and at times I found it a bit repetitive. Overall, a short and engaging read but one I probably wouldn’t return to myself unless I was reading it with children in the future.
nikzbookcorner's review against another edition
4.0
One word: PRECIOUS. Take your time with this one and enjoy it for all it's worth.
Set in a somber world, The Magician's Elephant will bring light & warmth to any heart. What a precious gem of a story! Intended for readers of a young age but definitely enjoyed by all. It's about dreams, hope, and making the impossible, possible. There is no age limit for such things.
This books is filled with many great pieces and just leaves you with a feeling of goodwill and satisfaction. So much so, that you just want to share it with everyone. I cannot recommend it enough. If you are every having a rough day or are in dire need of a pick-me-up, this is the book for you.
All this praise and why 4.5 stars? Well, because it was so short! 208 pages just wasn't enough!
Set in a somber world, The Magician's Elephant will bring light & warmth to any heart. What a precious gem of a story! Intended for readers of a young age but definitely enjoyed by all. It's about dreams, hope, and making the impossible, possible. There is no age limit for such things.
This books is filled with many great pieces and just leaves you with a feeling of goodwill and satisfaction. So much so, that you just want to share it with everyone. I cannot recommend it enough. If you are every having a rough day or are in dire need of a pick-me-up, this is the book for you.
All this praise and why 4.5 stars? Well, because it was so short! 208 pages just wasn't enough!
eastwood_mrs's review against another edition
hopeful
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. A well sequenced plot, a range of characters who all have their role to play in the end and a good ending!