Magic Thinks Big [Library Binding]

Elisha Cooper (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Magic the cat is
very large,
very round,
and unable to
make up his mind.

Magic the cat is
sort of silly,
sort of sleepy, and
stuck in one spot.

Look!
Magic the cat
may not be moving,
but his imagination
has taken flight.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-In this charming adventure, Cooper takes readers into the mind of a sizable tabby cat. Sitting in a doorway, Magic has a big decision to make: "Should he go in? Or out? Or should he stay right where he is." Not one to waste energy, the cat ponders his options at length and uses his imagination to consider all of the possibilities. Perhaps getting a bit carried away, he muses about catching a salmon and riding on the back of a moose to an island to share it with some friendly bears. However, in the end, it is revealed that Magic has not moved a muscle. The simple text is full of dry humor and whimsy. The dreamy pencil-and-watercolor illustrations are a pleasing mixture of soft colors and thick lines. The artwork has a fluid quality that perfectly captures the feline's fanciful journey. A photograph of the real 18-pound cat appears on the back cover. This magical picture book will delight young animal lovers.-Julie Roach, Malden Public Library, MA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 1. Anyone who has owned a cat will recognize Magic. The solid brown-and-white cat stands and looks outside, contemplating his next move. The text, a straightforward line or two per page, captures his thoughts: "Should he go in? Or out? Or should he stay right where he is?" As the story progresses, Magic becomes more ambitious. Perhaps he will chase the loons, eat salmon and pie on a nearby island with the bears, or ride home on a moose. But when the book ends, Magic is just where he was at the beginning--looking outside. Cooper's artwork charms, sometimes in two-page spreads or pages divided into vertical columns. It not only conveys a sense of Magic's musings but also paints a lovely picture of island life, with the blues of the sky and sea predominating. Despite the simplicity of both the words and the fluid artwork, it may be four-, five-, and six-year-olds who are best able to project themselves into the mind of a cat--a tantalizing exercise. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books (March 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060581654
• ISBN-13: 978-0060581657
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,839,689 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Elisha Cooper is the award-winning author of "Beach," which won the 2006 Society of Illustrators Gold Medal. Other picture books include "A Good Night Walk," "Magic Thinks Big," and "Dance!," a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year. His adult books include the memoir "Crawling: A Father's First Year." Elisha Cooper lives with his family in New York City.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magic the Cat: Sometimes a Great Notion, April 7, 2005

By 

M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Magic Thinks Big (Library Binding)

Despite the title, this stylishly illustrated book is not about Laker great Magic Johnson. Even the beginning, however, suggests the point guard's choices as he drives down the court:

"Magic contemplates his next move. Should he go in? Or Out? Or should he stay right where he is."

Before I suggest that Magic loft up one to a soaring Michael Cooper for a "Coop-A-Loop," let's turn to the dilemma facing Magic the cat. Each of the above choices entails different benefits, and all of them are tantalizing to a cat generally hungry for adventure, sleep, and food. For example, if he leaves his home, "maybe he could chase the loons. He'd hunt them along the rock shore, stalk them through the reeds, leap after them, then eat them." (It looks like the loon just got away in time in the pictures showing Magic's fantasy.) Magic continues to ponder the possibilities; We see him envision swimming under the water to catch the brightly colored salmon, riding a moose to the bears' island, and sharing a meal of salmon and blueberry pie. This sounds good! But then again, "maybe not. Maybe if he stays right where he is, Magic's next move will come to him." And that's exactly what happens, as the big round cat gently falls asleep on the front porch.

In addition to writing an imaginative story about imagination, Elisha Cooper's watercolor and pencil drawings are outstanding. His drawings recall those of Barry Moser with their soft colors, excellent depiction of light, and use of "white space." Cooper paints fairly realistically, but he also lets you see his watercolor technique as well. Much of the action is seen from the cat's eye level, but Cooper knows when to pull back to show you gorgeously illustrated panoramas of water, hills, and the cloud-adorned sky. Like most good daydreams, the book is both engaging and calming at the same time. This is a peaceful and beautiful book for story time and bedtime. Once again, a quality book from Greenwillow publishing. Very highly recommended!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Terrific, July 2, 2004

By 

E. Gilbert (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Magic Thinks Big (Library Binding)

The funny story line, the wowie-zowie kitty thoughts and the just-right illustrations combine to make this book really delightful. I'm sure my cat would love to have me read it to her -- but she is too busy daydreaming.

5.0 out of 5 stars We Love Magic!, May 31, 2011

By 

R. Loose (Black Hills, SD) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Magic Thinks Big (Hardcover)

My 3 year old cat-loving son is crazy about this book! We all love the wonderful watercolor illustrations and the simple storyline. The fact that this book includes a few other items that he likes (blueberries, salmon) just adds to the appeal. He loves that Magic is a real cat and we always have to read the back cover info, as well as the inside flaps. He memorized it after a few readings and now will sit and 'read' it to himself as well. He likes to remind us that 'Magic weighs eighteen pounds!' Magic's classic kitty personality makes us laugh. Our cats also like to fantasize about being ferocious hunters in the wild, but in reality can't be bothered to interrupt their very important naps for that kind of effort. What a find!