The Magic Word

Quick Look

• A hilarious story for young children about the consequences of taking shortcuts, and the power of the magic word
• Claire Keay's vibrant illustrations perfectly capture the sense of humour and fun

A funny picture book from the author of Orange Juice Peas! about the consequences of taking shortcuts, and the power of the magic word.

Description

Catriona must write her name on all her thank you notes before she's allowed to play with her birthday presents. It's going to take forever! Unless...

She puts her coloured pencils and a sprinkling of magical ingredients into a big pot. Then she says the magic word. But the pencils start writing on walls, scribbling on the table, and doodling on the fridge! Can Catriona stop the magical mayhem?

This is a hilarious new picture book from Lari Don, author of The Big Bottom Hunt and Orange Juice Peas!, vibrantly illustrated by Claire Keay, about the consequences of taking shortcuts, and the power of the magic word.

Reviews

'Brilliant! Every now and then you read a lovely story with a refreshingly new (yet somehow familiar) angle and tale to tell. The Magic Word is one of those ... Funny, colourful, magical and quirky, this is a book for keeps.'
-- Early Years Educator

'Children will delight in this amusing book. I loved the humour created by the messages the pencils write, and the way the drawings completely fill the page. Don manages to comically convey the message that hard work is ultimately more rewarding than taking a short cut.'
-- The School Librarian

'... a typically fun Lari Don story... I love the fact that Catriona just guesses at the magic ingredients and words and that she is actually successful. Only in Lari's world could this happen!'
-- Lothian Life

'Children will enjoy laughing at the mess Catriona makes, but all ends well... Some lessons in perseverance and politeness here, as well as a whole lot of fun.'
-- Anabel Marsh, Anabel's Children's Literature Blog

'This airy cautionary tale will draw young listeners in with its appealing illustrations as Catriona realizes that thank-you notes aren't so bad after all.'
-- Kirkus

Author

Lari Don has worked in politics and broadcasting, but is now a full-time writer and storyteller. She grew up in the north-east of Scotland, and lives in Edinburgh. She is the author of three other picture books for young children,The Big Bottom Hunt, How to Make a Heron Happy, and Orange Juice Peas!, as well as novels for older children including First Aid for Fairies and Other Fabled Beasts; Wolf Notes and Other Musical Mishaps; Storm Singing and other Tangled Tasks; Maze Running and Other Magical Missions; and Rocking Horse War (all Floris Books).

You can also visit the author's own website at http://www.laridon.co.uk

Claire Keay is an artist and illustrator based in Essex, England. She is the illustrator of two other Picture Kelpies, Thistle Street and Thistle Sands. She also illustrates greeting cards and sells her paintings worldwide.

Media

Visit the Picture Kelpies Facebook page:

It's storytime as Lari Don reads her picture book Orange Juice Peas. Watch out for the pea flicking at the end!

Links

The Magic Word is in Floris Books' range of Picture Kelpie Scottish children's picture books. Parents of young children might also enjoy the dedicated Picture Kelpies website. Download and print out games, colouring and jokes for your children based on Picture Kelpie favourites, and find out more about these quality Scottish picture books to enjoy together.