The magic elephant book is a whimsical and enchanting story that captivates readers with its imaginative plot and charming characters. Set in a magical world full of wonder and awe, this book takes readers on a thrilling adventure alongside its protagonist, a young boy named Jack. The story begins when Jack stumbles upon a mysterious book hidden in his attic. Intrigued by its gilded cover and embossed illustrations of elephants, he opens it and is instantly transported to a magical realm inhabited by talking animals and mythical creatures. He soon discovers that the book is no ordinary book – it possesses a special power that allows him to communicate with the majestic elephants. Through the guidance of the wise and gentle elephant Mabel, Jack learns of a terrible danger threatening their world.
Even the magician, who is proud of nothing so much as the great magic which he has worked, realizes in the end that there is something far more important than his accomplishment. “The magician stood very still. He stared at the falling snow. And suddenly, he did not care at all that he would have to undo the greatest thing he had ever done. He had been so lonely, so desperately, hopelessly lonely for so long. He might very well spend the rest of his life in prison, alone. And he understood that what he wanted now was something much simpler, much more complicated than the magic he had performed. What he wanted was to turn to somebody and take hold of their hand and look up with them and marvel at the snow falling from the sky. ‘This,’ he wanted to say to someone he loved and who loved him in return. ‘This.’ ”
In a strange turn of events, a magician in that very town conjures the most tremendous spell of his life, and instead of lilies falling down from the ceiling of the auditorium, an elephant comes crashing through instead. The structure of the story is that of disparate threads that gradually converge and then interweave the magician, a beggar, a sculptor, the boy, his sister, a nun, and the woman.
Through the guidance of the wise and gentle elephant Mabel, Jack learns of a terrible danger threatening their world. The wicked sorcerer Malachi has cast a dark spell over the land, turning all the animals into stone. Determined to save the magical creatures and restore their home to its former glory, Jack embarks on a perilous quest.
REVIEW of The Magician’s Elephant by Kate DiCamillo
Summer is in full swing, and that means it’s time for me to read some middle grade novels–either out loud to my kids or silently to myself because, you know, an excellent middle grade novel transcends categories and is a delight for any age. Kate DiCamillo is a perennial favorite of mine, and The Magician’s Elephant thrums with all the themes I love so much in her work.
Living in a freezing garret with a disabled soldier who knew his late father, Peter Augustus Duchene spends his young life wondering what happened to the baby sister he remembers being born, the baby sister named Adele. He finds a fortuneteller who claims that his sister is alive. To find her, he must “follow the elephant.” But the city of Baltese has no elephants. Is his quest hopeless?
In a strange turn of events, a magician in that very town conjures the most tremendous spell of his life, and instead of lilies falling down from the ceiling of the auditorium, an elephant comes crashing through instead. The town of Baltese become enamored with the rarity that has appeared, and Countess Quintet makes a display of the elephant in her ballroom. With the help of a kind policeman named Leo Matienne, Peter visits the homesick elephant and finds the answers that he seeks.
This short little pearl of a story touches on the great themes of being loved, being known, and belonging to someone. The elephant herself, trapped in the countess’ ballroom, expresses this well: “She should have been sleeping, but she was awake. The elephant was saying her name to herself. It was not a name that would make sense to humans. It was an elephant name — a name that her brothers and sisters knew her by, a name that they spoke to her in laughter and in play. It was the name that her mother had given to her and that she had spoken to her often and with love. Deep within herself, the elephant said this name, her name, over and over again. She was working to remind herself of who she was. She was working to remember that, somewhere, in another place entirely, she was known and loved.”
Names are important, and it is knowing Adele’s name that brings Peter to his sister at last. As is typical for DiCamillo, the orphans in the story find a family where they least expect it. Like the elephant, Peter and his sister come to the place of being known and loved, the place of belonging.
Even the magician, who is proud of nothing so much as the great magic which he has worked, realizes in the end that there is something far more important than his accomplishment. “The magician stood very still. He stared at the falling snow. And suddenly, he did not care at all that he would have to undo the greatest thing he had ever done. He had been so lonely, so desperately, hopelessly lonely for so long. He might very well spend the rest of his life in prison, alone. And he understood that what he wanted now was something much simpler, much more complicated than the magic he had performed. What he wanted was to turn to somebody and take hold of their hand and look up with them and marvel at the snow falling from the sky. ‘This,’ he wanted to say to someone he loved and who loved him in return. ‘This.’ ”
If you have elementary-aged children at home, I heartily recommend Kate DiCamillo’s fanciful story, The Magician’s Elephant. And if you don’t have elementary-aged children at home, I recommend it just as heartily. Known and loved — that’s what we all want. And being able to share this book with my nine-year-old made it all the more special this summer — to turn to someone, take hold of their hand, and say, “This.”
As Jack traverses through enchanted forests, battles mythical beasts, and solves perplexing riddles, he gains the support and friendship of an array of fantastical characters, such as the mischievous pixie Pippa and the noble unicorn Aurora. Together, they overcome numerous obstacles and face their deepest fears, ultimately proving that courage and friendship can conquer any evil. Throughout the story, the magic elephant book serves as a symbol of hope and resilience. It represents the power of imagination and the ability to create our own destiny. Jack's journey not only showcases his bravery and determination but also highlights the importance of teamwork and compassion. The magic elephant book is not just a tale of adventure; it also imparts valuable lessons about love, friendship, and the importance of caring for our environment. It encourages readers to embrace their imagination, explore new possibilities, and never underestimate their own capabilities. With its vivid descriptions, captivating storyline, and lovable characters, the magic elephant book is a delightful read for children and adults alike. It has the power to transport readers to a magical world where anything is possible and teaches us that sometimes, all we need is a pinch of magic to overcome life's challenges. So, open the pages of this enchanting book and let the magic unfold before your eyes..
Reviews for "The Unforgettable Stories of the Magic Elephant Book"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "The magic elephant book". The story lacked depth and the characters were poorly developed. The writing style felt forced and it was hard to connect with any of the characters. The plot was predictable and there were no surprises or suspense. Overall, I found the book to be unengaging and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - "The magic elephant book" was a complete letdown. The concept seemed intriguing, but the execution was so poorly done. The writing was so amateurish and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The characters were one-dimensional and their actions made no sense. I found myself skipping pages just to get through the book because I was so uninterested in what was happening. Save yourself the time and skip this book.
3. Mark - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "The magic elephant book" but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The story started off promising but quickly became repetitive and lacked originality. The pacing was off and I found myself losing interest halfway through. The ending was rushed and unsatisfying. It's a shame because I really wanted to like this book, but it just didn't deliver.
4. Emily - 2/5 - I was not a fan of "The magic elephant book". The writing style was simplistic and lacked finesse. The plot was predictable and there were no real surprises or twists. The characters felt flat and their motivations were unclear. Overall, the book was underwhelming and failed to keep my attention. I would not recommend it to others.