"The Magic Bedknob" is a children's novel written by Mary Norton and first published in 1943. The story revolves around three children: Carey, Charles, and Paul, who go to live with Miss Price, an eccentric woman living in the English countryside. One day, the children stumble upon Miss Price trying to cast a spell using an old bedknob. Surprisingly, they discover that the bed knob has magical powers and can transport them to different places. They embark on various adventures using the bedknob, including traveling back in time to Ancient Rome and experiencing life during the Blitz in World War II. Throughout their adventures, the children learn valuable lessons about friendship, bravery, and the importance of using magic responsibly.
“Keep your warm hearts, your gentleness, and your courage. These will do,” said Miss Price, sniffing audibly, “just as well as magic.”
How Carey immediately identifies the natives as cannibals after a single glanced is never explained, but the correctness of that assumption never comes into question. During the London Blitz, three siblings Carey about your age , Charles a little younger and Paul only six are sent to Bedfordshire to stay with their Aunt Beatrice.
Throughout their adventures, the children learn valuable lessons about friendship, bravery, and the importance of using magic responsibly. They encounter numerous interesting characters, like the talking animals in the enchanted forest and the residents of the past. Each adventure presents them with challenges and opportunities to grow as individuals.
The Magic Bed Knob
New York, USA,: The Hyperion Press, 1943. Book. Illus. by Waldo Peirce. Fair. Hardcover. 1st Edition. First American edition, First Printing. A true first with no statement of reprint as called for, in original pictorial boards, no dust jacket present. Internally the pages are clean with no marks, original endpages bright an unfaded. The boards have heavy rubbing to the… Read more about this item
Item Price US$43.32The Magic Bed-Knob; or How to Become a Witch in Ten Easy Lessons
by Norton, Mary
Condition Used - Good with no dust jacket Edition First US Edition Published 1943 Binding Hardcover Quantity Available 1 Seller
North Tonawanda, New York, USA This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers. Item Price US$100.00Show Details
Description:New York: The Hyperion Press. Good with no dust jacket. 1943. First US Edition. Hardcover. Light green pictorial boards with moderate edgewear and toning; bumped/chipped spine ends and corners; minor insect nibbling along edges. Binding shaken and opens nearly flat in a few places; interior clean and lightly toned. Color and b/w illustrations. No ownership marks, stickers… Read more about this item
Item Price US$100.00 More PhotosThe Magic Bed-Knob
by Norton, Mary
Condition Used - Good Jacket Condition No Jacket Published 1946 Binding Hardcover Quantity Available 1 Seller
Kirkwall, Orkney, GBR This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers. Item Price US$44.76Show Details
Description:London: J M Dent & Co, 1946. No dustwrapper, some wear to spine ends, rubbing ro sides of spine, bumping to corners, some rubbing to front board but illustration of the children on the flying bed is still clear, an old ink-blot on back cover, a bit of yellowing to outer pages, but otherwise a good clean tight copy of… Read more about this item
Item Price US$44.76 More PhotosThe Magic Bed-Knob.
by NORTON, Mary.
Condition Used Published 1945 Quantity Available 1 Seller London, GBR This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers. Item Price US$1,709.54Show Details
Description:London: J. M. Dent & Sons Ltd,, 1945. A finely bound copy First UK edition, first impression (following the 1943 US edition published under the title The Magic Bed-Knob, or How to Become a Witch in Ten Easy Lessons), of the author's first book. Together with the 1945 sequel Bonfires and Broomsticks, Norton's The Magic Bed-Knob became the basis… Read more about this item
Item Price US$1,709.54 More PhotosThe Magic Bed-Knob
by Norton, Mary
Condition Used - Very Good Jacket Condition Good Edition 2nd Impression Published 1946 Binding Pictorial Cloth Quantity Available 1 Seller
London, Greater London, GBR This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers. Item Price US$118.11Show Details
Description:London: J. M. Dent & Sons Ltd. 1946. 8vo.Illustrated. 112 pp. Publlisher's pictorial cloth with pictorial jacket. Boards fresh and bright. Uncommon in jacket which is somewhat edgeworn and split at the spine with loss. Internally clean with colour and black and white illustrations throughout by Kiddell Monroe. The basis of the Disney film 'Bedknobs & Broomsticks.' . Very Good.… Read more about this item
Item Price US$118.11The magic bed-knob;: Or, How to become a witch in ten easy lessons,
by Norton, Mary
Condition Used - Good Published 1943-01-01 Binding Hardcover Quantity Available 1 Seller Simi Valley, California, USA This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers. Item Price US$180.00Show Details
Description:The Hyperion press, distributed, 1943-01-01. Hardcover. Good. 0.4000 10.9000 7.4000. True first edition. Cover shows minor to moderate wear, rubbing, and loss at the spine ends. Illustrated endpapers. Pages are lightly tanned.
Item Price US$180.00The magic bed-knob;: Or, How to become a witch in ten easy lessons,
by Norton, Mary
Condition Used - Collectible - Acceptable Quantity Available 1 Seller Frederick, Maryland, USA This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers. Item Price US$69.93Show Details
Description:The Hyperion press, distributed by G.P. Putnam's Sons. Collectible - Acceptable. First edition copy. Collectible - Acceptable. Spine heavily worn. Boards bowed. (Magic, Juvenile Fiction)
Item Price US$69.93The Magic Bedknob
by Norton, Mary
Condition Used - Very Good Jacket Condition No Jacket Edition 1st Edition Published 1945 Binding Decorative Cloth Quantity Available 1 Seller
Penzance, Cornwall, GBR This seller has earned a 1 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers. Item Price US$149.20Show Details
Description:London: J. M. Dent & Sons Ltd, 1945. 1st Edition. Decorative Cloth. Very Good/No Jacket. Kiddell-Monroe, Joan. Delightful Illustrated Children's story that inspired Walt Disney's film "Bedknobs and Broomsticks", starring Angela Lansbury as Miss Price, the apprentice witch. With stylish part coloured and B&W illustrations by Joan Kiddell-Monroe. Frontis illustration shows the bed outside a front door. Illustrated… Read more about this item
Item Price US$149.20The Magic Bedknob
by Norton, Mary
Condition Used - Acceptable Binding Hardback ISBN 10 0460881809 Quantity Available 1 Seller GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR This seller has earned a 3 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers. Item Price US$43.20Show Details
Description: Hardback. Acceptable. Item Price US$43.20The Magic Bedknob
by Norton, Mary
Condition Used - Very Good Binding Hardback ISBN 10 0460881809 Quantity Available 1 Seller GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR This seller has earned a 3 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers. Item Price US$43.20Show Details
Description: Hardback. Very Good. Item Price US$43.20The magic bed-knob;: Or, How to become a witch in ten easy lessons,
by Norton, Mary
Condition Used - Good Binding Hardcover Quantity Available 1 Seller Burlington, Vermont, USA This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers. Item Price US$75.00Show Details
Description:The Hyperion press, distributed by G.P. Putnam's Sons. hardcover. Good. 10x7x0. Hardcover. Good / Good- dust jacket wrapped in mylar. Free of any markings and no writings inside. For any additional information or pictures, please inquire.
Item Price US$75.00An intensive Chinese CourseChinese Characters and Reading 2
by Beijing Language and Culture University Press
Condition Used: Acceptable Published 2008 Binding Hardcover ISBN 10 7561914490 Quantity Available 1 Seller
Chester, GBR This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers. Item Price US$42.23Show Details
Description:blue a4 filed B: Beijing Language and Culture University Press, 2008. Hardcover. Used: Acceptable. PAPERBACK Our copy is.
Item Price US$42.23The magic bed-knob;: Or, How to become a witch in ten easy lessons,
by Norton, Mary
Condition Used - Acceptable Published 1943 Binding Hardcover Quantity Available 1 Seller Seattle, Washington, USA This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers. Item Price US$125.00Show Details
Description:The Hyperion press, distributed by G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1943. Hardcover. Acceptable. Missing dust jacket; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket missing. Cover and binding are worn but intact. A reading copy in fair condition. Cracks and tears to spine. Internally clean. Secure packaging for safe… Read more about this item
Item Price US$125.00Magic Bed-knob
by Mary Norton
Condition Used - Good Binding Hardcover ISBN 10 0460881809 Quantity Available 1 Seller Newport Coast, California, USA This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers. Item Price US$143.19Show Details
Description:hardcover. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items. May be an ex-library book.
I was a child when I first saw Disney’s 1971 movie Bedknobs and Broomsticks and have fond memories of it. So when I found out that the book that inspired the movie, Mary Norton’s The Magic Bed-Knob (1943), was nominated this year for a 1944 Retro Hugo award, I was excited to read it. It’s charming and old-fashioned … but not everything I had hoped for. Also, it’s not much like the Disney movie, which is both a positive and a negative thing.
In addition to the magical elements, "The Magic Bedknob" explores themes of imagination, self-discovery, and the power of belief. The story encourages readers to embrace their imagination, as it enables them to discover the extraordinary in the ordinary. The children's interactions with historical events and meeting people from different time periods also highlight the richness of history and the importance of understanding the past. Mary Norton's writing style is engaging and full of charm, making "The Magic Bedknob" a captivating read for children and adults alike. The book's whimsical illustrations by Erik Blegvad further enhance the magical atmosphere and bring the story to life. "The Magic Bedknob" is a delightful tale that captures the imagination of readers. It highlights the importance of friendship, courage, and the potential for adventure in everyday life. Through its magical and heartwarming storytelling, the book continues to enchant readers of all ages..
Reviews for "The Enchanting Characters of The Magic Bedkn0b and their Significance"
1. Jane Doe - 1 star
I found "The Magic Bedknob" to be incredibly boring and uninteresting. The plot was predictable and the characters were unlikable. I struggled to even finish the book as it failed to capture my attention. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting and engaging read.
2. John Smith - 2 stars
While "The Magic Bedknob" had some interesting concepts, I found the execution to be lacking. The story felt disjointed and the pacing was uneven. The characters lacked depth and their actions often didn't make sense. The overall writing style was also cumbersome and made it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it.
3. Sarah Thompson - 2 stars
"The Magic Bedknob" was a book that failed to captivate me. The plot felt rushed and underdeveloped, leaving me feeling unsatisfied. The characters lacked personality and I found it difficult to connect with them. The writing style was also lackluster and didn't do justice to the potential of the story. Overall, I was not impressed with this book and would not read it again.