Rabbit Magic, written by Meg McLaren, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Student Reviewer: Emily M.
Summary: Rabbit Magic is about a magician and his star assistant Houdini, who is a rabbit that is excellent as a performer and a manager. One day during a show, the magician makes a mistake and in trying to help, Houdini turns him into a rabbit. While this was popular with the crowd, it seemed as if the magician’s new role as a rabbit was permanent. Therefore, Houdini takes over the show, and although he was not very popular with his team during rehearsals, Houdini became very popular with audiences. More and more, audiences grew to love Houdini’s show, but unfortunately Houdini himself became less excited and realized that others needed the spotlight more. So, Houdini gathered his team and they figured out how to turn the magician back into a person for his last show. In the end, the magician, Houdini, and his team are all happy together. Indeed, the book concludes that life is better when it is shared with other people.

Straight Talk for Librarians: This would be a great book to use to help kids learn to read; there are not too many words to a page and the illustrations are engaging because they are used to help develop the plot. Furthermore, this book is a nice way to help kids learn that not every job is just for one person, it is not always good for people to try to take over someone else’s job, and life can be better when they share it. For instance, even though Houdini becomes successful as a performer, he learns that he does not enjoy being the only one in the spotlight; a somewhat lonely tone is used here that emphasizes that this is a low point for Houdini even though the crowds love him. Therefore, he rallies his team to help the magician, who is sad because he had to give up performing, which makes him happy. The last page has a very celebratory and welcoming tone, which is made by everyone standing together and smiling. This brings home the idea that life is more special when people share it.