Tag Archives: The Magician’s Elephant

On the shelf: ‘The Magician’s Elephant’ by Kate DiCamillo

By Mary Davis, Grand Rapids Public Library, Ottawa Hills Branch

 

Kate DiCamillo became one of my favorite authors for children after publishing her first novel, Because of Winn-Dixie. She writes in a soothing, almost comforting voice, and she never talks down to her intended audience. She often blends realism with a sort of fantastical or magical twist. In her newest, The Magician’s Elephant, she casts another spell. She tells the story of Peter Augustus Duchene. Peter, a young boy in the care of a former soldier, believes that he will grow into a soldier as well.

 

One day the old soldier gives him money to buy bread and fish. Instead, a fortune teller’s tent catches Peter’s eye. She reveals to him that his sister, believed to be dead, lives and the elephant will lead him to her. This seems unbelievable until a visiting magician mysteriously and mistakenly conjures up an elephant.

 

DiCamillo weaves beautifully together the story of the elephant and how she leads Peter to his sister, a new future, and an interesting cast of characters. Yoko Tanka’s illustrations help define the time and place and bring depth to the storytelling. The Magician’s Elephant would make a lovely read-aloud to most elementary classrooms or just to share with any child in one’s life.