Magic Carpet [Library Binding]

Pat Brisson (Author), Amy Schwartz (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

Aunt Agatha and Elizabeth imagine the travels of the rug on which they are sitting, from China across the sea to the west coast of the United States, and onward in a journey designed to let its carriers stop only in cities beginning with the letter "s."

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Sitting on Aunt Agatha's variegated carpet, Elizabeth and her aunt engage in what is clearly a favorite pastime: unraveling the story of how the carpet was acquired. Using an atlas for inspiration, the two take turns adding fanciful twists to the tale, which begins in Beijing, where a man named Frank--dapper in a green plaid jacket and a derby--fills his truck with 1000 magic carpets. The vehicle is placed on an aircraft carrier, which is bound for Alaska, where Frank hooks up with his old college roommate. They drive the truck eastward, stopping only in cities beginning with the letter "s," until they reach Somerville, N.J. There they open an antique store, and sell the very last of the carpets to Aunt Agatha's father. Schwartz's ( Bea and Mr. Jones ; Annabelle Swift, Kindergartner ) pictures are as filled with color and whimsy as the story Elizabeth helps to tell. Like this child, readers will want to hear it pieced together again and again--and perhaps be inspired to add their own embellishments. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-- With the aid of their imaginations and an atlas, Elizabeth and Aunt Agatha make up characters and stories about how her Oriental carpet arrived here from China. This adventure takes them through Japan, Anchorage, and then cross-country, stopping only in cities that begin with ``S.'' Next Elizabeth wants to know how the chiming clock made the journey from France to Agatha's living room, and the game begins anew. Schwartz's watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations depict the travellers in dizzying patterns, city after city. Unfortunately, minimalist features make the Chinese a collection of look-alikes. Aunt Agatha and Elizabeth make occasional appearances to remind readers of the story within a story. Large pictures allow for detail, while smaller ones show a sequencing of events. A book that should stimulate youngsters to invent adventures while getting acquainted with an atlas. --Jane Saliers, Atlanta-Fulton Public Library
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Library Binding
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (Juv) (August 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0027143406
• ISBN-13: 978-0027143409
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,813,649 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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