The Magic Maker There once lived a man named Peter who possessed a unique and captivating talent - he was a magic maker. From an early age, Peter discovered his gift for conjuring mind-boggling illusions and enchanting spells. His abilities were so extraordinary that people from far and wide sought him out to witness his mesmerizing performances. Peter's magic was not like ordinary tricks; it extended far beyond pulling rabbits out of hats or making objects disappear. He had a profound understanding of the mystical forces that governed the world and harnessed this knowledge to create unparalleled spectacles. With a flick of his wrist, Peter could transform a drab object into a shimmering jewel, or a dilapidated building into a grand palace.

The magic pumpkin

T he bus parked at the farm. There was an enormous pile of orange pumpkins beside a wagon and tractor. Everyone rushed for the wagon. Kevin and Katie sat in the front as it headed out. They watched the huge wheels of the tractor bump slowly over ruts in the dirt path. More bouncing! Then the tractor stopped.

O n either side long rows of pumpkins lay in the dust, each in its own tangle of vines. They were all different sizes and shades of orange, with light brown patches. The driver said the ones with stalks lasted longer. Kevin and Katie ran down the same dusty row. Kevin worried when bigger kids ran past and grabbed the best pumpkins. Soon Katie said she didn't care anyway and picked up the next one on the ground. Kevin kept looking.

T ime was up and Kevin was still empty handed. He ran faster. Then he saw one the others had missed. It was small and a clear orange in color, with a little brown mark shaped like a star. It was perfect. Kevin pulled it off its vines, held the prickly stem carefully and ran back to the bus. Katie said it was ugly and they quarreled.

T hat night Kevin's father cut open the pumpkin, scooped out its insides and carved it. The pumpkin grinned at them - a lopsided, mischievous kind of a grin. Kevin cut a star shaped nose with his dad's help, and saved the piece. He put the pumpkin on his bedside table and tucked the little star under his pillow.

H e fell asleep and dreamed that he was back in the Pumpkin Patch. His pumpkin had long vine legs and arms, and called itself Jack-O. Jack-O told Kevin that he could have one wish, anything at all. Kevin badly wanted a new video game. The kids at school were all talking about it.

A ll the next day, Kevin imagined playing the game. He wanted to tell Katie on the bus home, but she was cross and wouldn't talk. She seemed sad as well as grumpy. So Kevin asked his mother and father at supper time about Katie's dad in hospital. Their worried faces answered him.

I t was hard to get to sleep that night. When he did, with the little star under his pillow, Kevin found himself back in the Pumpkin Patch. It was a stormy Fall day with leaves flying everywhere, red and orange and brown. The wind blew so hard that Jack-O bobbed in the air, vines waving and getting in tangles.

I t was time for the wish. Kevin opened his mouth to ask for his game. But as the storm tossed leaves around him, he saw his friend's face and the words spilled out 'Make Katie's dad better'. Jack-O's orange face split in an enormous grin. He danced in the air while he told Kevin how to pass on the magic. Then he disappeared in a burst of orange fireworks, full of little sparkling stars.

K atie wasn't at school the next morning. Was Jack-O only a dream? But she arrived late, smiling and all was well - her father was coming home on the week-end. After school, Katie and Kevin played in the park. The pumpkin star was grubby and shrivelled in Kevin's pocket and the wind swished leaves gently along the ground. Kevin and Katie tossed them at each other, kicked them into piles and jumped in.

T hen Kevin took out the little star and threw it high in the air. A gust of wind picked it up. Away it spiralled, higher and higher in the sky. He watched until it was only a little orange point and then even that disappeared. Katie asked what he was doing. Oh nothing, just pumpkin magic, replied Kevin with a secret smile.

I've always been a bit puzzled about the popularity of The Magic Pumpkin - which often has 25,000 Fall visitors - since it's a simple seasonal story. But I've concluded that there's still an interest in old-fashioned values and in reading about a child who is tempted, makes the right choice to help his friend . yet does it without fanfare, and for his or her own satisfaction.

The Magic Pumpkin is now available as a picture book illustrated by Lynne Adams (softcover or e-book). If you like the story, you can order your own copy at Lulu.com.

The Magic Pumpkin

Owen is five and a half, and his brother, Oliver, just turned three. They live in a magical land where the four seasons each have their own space. Winterland is always full of snow; Autumnland has beautiful leaves that never stop falling. Springland has endless blossoms, and Summerland, full of exciting plants and rolling green hills, has their cave. This cave, made of glowing rock, protects the children from the only danger in this land – shadow eyes. During the day, the boys fly around on their magic pumpkin, playing in all the lands. Each night, the pumpkin returns them to the safety of their cave. While they do miss Mommy and Daddy, this life is mostly perfect, until they are attacked by vicious beasts.

Right after the horrifying attack, Palus pauses the action to explain how Owen and Oliver came to be in this magical land and why they can never leave. Their first few days of exploring are action-packed and emotionally intense. The story of these days neatly explains things mentioned in the first part, such as why the docile, grazing creatures are called cow-pies and why the boys are so afraid of the shadow eyes (which are one of the scariest monsters that I have ever encountered in fiction). Also, knowing that the boys are currently in peril brings a poignant sadness to the middle section that nicely mirrors their tragic backstory.

Palus writes about the children protagonists in such a way that their innocence and naïveté is part of the story. The joy of childhood and the unutterable sadness of its end come to vivid life as the story follows both the physical and psychological journeys of these children. Palus’s prose is beautiful, as are the striking descriptions of the boys’ newfound home.

Though it does take awhile to get going, The Magic Pumpkin is a lovely tale of growing up and of the love that these two brothers share. Read this one with an open imagination and a box of tissues.

The Magic Pumpkin

"A deceptively simple text with a lyrical rhythm describes a pear-shaped pumpkin growing in a garden, who unexpectedly whispers that he’ll protect the yard from the ‘foolies.’ Lee’s fragile watercolors cast an appropriately haunting aura to the strange proceedings." -- Publishers Weekly

Genres HalloweenPicture BooksChildrensFictionHoliday

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 1989

About the author

Bill Martin Jr.

Bill Martin, Jr. (1916-2004) was an elementary-school principal, teacher, writer, and poet. His more than 300 books, among them the bestselling classics Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See ; Polar Bear Polar Bear What Do You Hear ; Panda Bear Panda Bear What Do You See ; and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom , are a testament to his ability to speak directly to children. Martin held a doctoral degree in early childhood education. Born in Kansas, he worked as an elementary-school principal in Chicago before moving to New York City, where he worked in publishing, developing innovative reading programs for schools. After several years, he devoted himself full-time to writing his children's books. He lived in New York until 1993, when he moved to Texas. He lived in the east Texas woods, near the town of Commerce, until he passed away in 2004.

With a flick of his wrist, Peter could transform a drab object into a shimmering jewel, or a dilapidated building into a grand palace. He could make the impossible possible, defying the laws of nature with his incredible powers. His illusions were so realistic that even the most skeptical of minds were left in awe.

Ratings & Reviews

Friends & Following

Community Reviews

The narrator of this poetic picture book selects the perfect pumpkin guardian for his yard on Halloween night, carving it into a jack-o-lantern and setting it out. Unbeknownst to him however, this particular pumpkin is magic—the leader of the foolies against which he is meant to be guarding. It falls to the narrator to then plunge the jack-o-lantern into darkness by snuffing out his candle, thereby putting an end to the spell.

Although quite familiar with co-authors Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault—the pair also co-authored the classic Chicka Chicka Boom Boom , and Martin collaborated with Eric Carle on Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and sequels—The Magic Pumpkin is the first of their books that I have actually picked up and read. I thought I would thoroughly enjoy it, given the authors' reputation, the cover image, and the Halloween theme, but instead I found myself mostly indifferent. The poetic text felt a little awkward in its structure, the story didn't speak to me, and I found the accompanying artwork from illustrator Robert J. Lee uninspiring. I did like the brief appearance of the two foxes, who "came out of the wood like hooded witches," but other than that, this is one I can take or leave. If half stars were available, I'd give it a rating of 2.5 stars, but as they're not, I've rounded up in honor of the season. That said, while I'm glad to have finally picked it up, as I've been curious about it for a few years, I don't strongly recommend it.

But Peter's magic was not limited to entertaining crowds; he also used it to bring joy and happiness to those around him. He would visit children's hospitals and perform tricks that would make the young patients forget about their pain and suffering, if only for a moment. He would bring laughter and wonder to the hearts of all who watched him perform. Despite his incredible abilities, Peter remained humble and grounded. He never used his powers for personal gain or to manipulate others. Instead, he used his magic to inspire, to ignite the spark of imagination in people's minds, and to remind them that dreams can become a reality. However, as with any extraordinary gift, Peter's magic did not come without a price. The immense power he possessed took a toll on his physical and mental well-being. Every performance left him drained and exhausted, as if a piece of his soul had been consumed. But Peter persevered, driven by his desire to share his magic with the world. One day, as Peter was preparing for his most grandiose performance yet, he felt a sudden surge of energy unlike anything he had experienced before. The magic seemed to flow through him effortlessly, and he realized that he had finally found a way to channel his powers without depleting his own vitality. With this newfound understanding, Peter's performances reached a whole new level of magnificence. His illusions became more astonishing, his spells more enchanting. He became a beacon of hope and inspiration for all who basked in his magic. As word of Peter's miraculous abilities spread, people would flock from distant lands to witness his astounding performances. His name became synonymous with power, wonder, and the belief that anything is possible. The Magic Maker's legacy lived on long after his final performance. People continued to marvel at his extraordinary feats, passing down tales of his magic to future generations. Though Peter was no longer among them, his spirit remained immortalized in the memories of all who had witnessed his magical artistry. And so, the legend of the Magic Maker lives on, a testament to the power of imagination and the enduring impact one person can have on the world..

Reviews for "The Magic Maker's World: Immersion in their Imaginative Realms"

1. John - 2 stars - I found "The Magic Maler" to be extremely disappointing. The plot felt convoluted, and the pacing was all over the place. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to connect with any of them. Additionally, the writing style was monotonous and lacked the necessary descriptive elements to create a vivid imagery. Overall, the book failed to capture my interest, and I wouldn't recommend it to others.

2. Sarah - 1 star - "The Magic Maler" was a complete waste of time in my opinion. The storyline was cliché and offered nothing new or intriguing. The dialogue between the characters felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult for me to become invested in their interactions. The author's attempt at creating a magical world fell flat, as it lacked creativity and failed to transport me into a different realm. I struggled to finish the book and was ultimately left feeling unsatisfied with the overall experience.

3. Michael - 2 stars - As a fan of fantasy novels, I was disappointed with "The Magic Maler". The world-building was minimal, leaving many aspects unexplained and underdeveloped. The magic system felt inconsistent and lacked any clear rules or limitations. The protagonist's journey lacked a sense of purpose and direction, making it difficult for me to become emotionally invested in their quest. The writing style was also mediocre, with repetitive phrases and clichéd descriptions. Overall, I was left unimpressed and would not recommend this book to other fantasy lovers.

4. Emily - 1 star - I have to say, "The Magic Maler" was a complete letdown. The characters were incredibly flat, lacking any depth or complexity. The plot felt predictable and lacked any surprises or twists. Additionally, the pacing was extremely slow and dragged on, making it difficult to stay engaged. The author's writing style was also unremarkable, with generic descriptions and uninspiring dialogue. I expected much more from this book, and unfortunately, it failed to deliver.

The Magic Maker's Influence: Tracing the Impact of their Art on Contemporary Culture