Rabbit Magic

by Meg McLaren, Meg McLaren (Illustrator)

Overview

A distinctive palette and a large cast of adorable rabbits adorn a lively story told in very few words. When a magic trick goes awry, the magician M. Lapin becomes a sad rabbit while his rabbit assistant, Houdini, becomes the star of the show. After trying increasingly spectacular tricks, Houdini realizes that someone else wants and deserves the spotlight, and in his most amazing trick ever, he restores M. Lapin to his former self. Generosity and teamwork—and of course magic—take center stage in this delightful debut.
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780544784697
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	01/10/2017
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	9.90(w) x 10.40(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	AD500L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Meg McLaren has a BA degree in theater design and production and a master's degree in children's book illustration from the Cambridge School of Art in the UK. Born in Scotland, she lives in Inverness, UK, with her partner, Jon, and their impressive Lego collection.

Meg McLaren has a BA degree in theater design and production and a master's degree in children's book illustration from the Cambridge School of Art in the UK. Born in Scotland, she lives in Inverness, UK, with her partner, Jon, and their impressive Lego collection.

Editorial Reviews

10/24/2016
Magician Monsieur Lapin’s rabbit assistant, Houdini, keeps the rest of the rabbit troupe in line: he has “a knack for bringing the team together,” and he’s happy with his lot. So when Houdini grabs Monsieur Lapin’s top hat and wand one night and turns his boss into a rabbit, readers know that it’s an accident and not a power grab. With the spell seemingly irreversible, Houdini dutifully uses his powers to please fans: “The more daring his tricks became, the more the crowd loved him.” Monsieur Lapin, meanwhile, is demoted to assistant status. Houdini graduates to tricks involving padlocks and a shark tank before deciding that the life of a magician is too onerous. Wry understatement provides giggles (“Not everyone is a born performer,” writes newcomer McLaren, as Monsieur Lapin stumbles backward onstage, a terrified rabbit clinging to his nose), but it’s the prolonged investigation of the reversal of power that gives this tale the substance of a graphic novel. It’s like an update on “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”—one in which the apprentice succeeds. Ages 4–7. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

"This captivating telling isn’t a typical pulling-a-rabbit-out-of-a-hat tale...Young readers will not only enjoy the narrative but will also pick up the hidden cues woven into the illustrations. A recommended read-aloud for those looking for an unusual yet simple magician story." –School Library Journal "The razzle-dazzle magic performed by the two lead characters and the sizable cast of chubby rabbits is adeptly captured in the whimsical illustrations." —Booklist "Wry understatement provides giggles...but it’s the prolonged investigation of the reversal of power that gives this tale the substance of a graphic novel. It’s like an update on “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”—one in which the apprentice succeeds. —Publishers Weekly "McLaren hits all the right notes... A study in leporine whimsy with lingering poignance." —Kirkus —

From the Publisher

02/01/2017
PreS-Gr 2—Houdini the rabbit is a natural performer. He closely assists Monsieur Lapin in his magic shows, rallies the rabbit entourage in rehearsals, and makes sure everyone goes to bed on time. However, during a show, the magician slips on a leftover banana peel and drops his wand, which lands in front of Houdini! Being the natural magician's assistant he is, he takes up the wand and "SHAZAAM!," he turns Monsieur Lapin into a rabbit. Houdini takes over, doing show after show, and spectators are thrilled by a rabbit magician. However, everyone is suffering from the new fame of Houdini. The other rabbits are disorderly, and Monsieur Lapin misses the spotlight. Can Houdini reverse the spell? This captivating telling isn't a typical pulling-a-rabbit-out-of-a-hat tale. McLaren uses digital techniques to create cartoon panels and sequencing, along with cool hues, to unify and help move the plot forward. Young readers will not only enjoy the narrative but will also pick up the hidden cues woven into the illustrations. VERDICT A recommended read-aloud for those looking for an unusual yet simple magician story.—Briana Moore, Elmont Memorial Library, NY

School Library Journal

2016-09-19
A magic show turns upside down in McLaren's delightful backstage romp. No magician's act is complete without a wand, top hat, and, of course, a white rabbit. This is certainly true for Monsieur Lapin's act, where white rabbit Houdini steals the showliterally. A natural choice for a magician's assistant, Houdini helps bring the other rabbits together and makes sure all is ready before the show: "Houdini took care of everyone and everything." Things change abruptly, however, when Houdini steps in after an onstage mishap and, with a potent flick of the wand, accidentally turns the white magician into a gray-and-white rabbit surrounded by a collapsed tuxedo. But the show must go on, and while at first Houdini flourishes in the limelight, with his wonderful and daring tricks, the excitement dwindles as Houdini sees how much the former magician misses the stage (and being human). With the help of the other rabbits, Houdini restores the magician to his human form, and they both come to realize that the spotlight is at its most magical when it is shared. McLaren hits all the right notes with this spare but exhilarating text, bringing it to rich visual life with dynamic and comically energetic illustrations. No page turn goes unrewarded, and readers of any age will rush to see the rabbits ironic background antics. A study in leporine whimsy with lingering poignance. (Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews