Customer Reviews

Milo's Hat Trick

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Milo is a terrible magician. None of his tricks work, he can't even pull a rabbit out of his hat and Mr Popovich, the theater manager, is giving him just one more chance to get it right or he's through. So off Milo goes to the woods, with a carrot on a stick, looking for a rabbit. He doesn't find a rabbit, but he does find a very friendly bear who is willing to join the act and help him out. As Milo watches, the bear jumps up and dives into the hat, disappearing completely. "You just pretend your bones are made of rubber". After several hilarious mishaps, Milo and the bear finally get back to the theater just in time for the show..... Jon Agee has authored a delightful picture book that is sure to keep youngsters giggling and laughing to the end, as they enjoy the antics of this unusual dynamic duo. His clever, witty, humorous text is only outdone by his marvelous large and expressive cartoon-like artwork that will charm children and adults, alike. Perfect for kids 4-8, Milo's Hat Trick is a winner and one of this summer's best new books.

Milo's Hat Trick is a fun tale that is certain to amuse both children and adults. Milo the magician is truly inept. Desperate for a trick that will revive his pitiful act, Milo gets a lucky break when he meets a resourceful bear. Once again, Milo demonstrates his ineptitude when he loses the bear on the NYC subway. But the bear arrives and saves the day, bringing Milo enormous success. After hundreds of shows, the bear is too exhausted to continue jumping into the hat. Milo fears that he will lose his audience and flounder into failure, but the bear saves the day, teaching Milo how to perform the hat trick. Readers who have visited NYC will find Milo's Hat Trick especially appealing, but everyone can enjoy the bear's zany antics.

Jon Agee is one of my favorite children's author-illustrators, and this is my favorite of his picture books. Milo is a magician who just can't perform magic: he cannot pull a rabbit out of his hat. In fact, he can't even find a rabbit. Instead, he one day finds a bear: a bear for whom disappearing into and popping out of a black silk hat is a mere nothing. It's a mere nothing because the bear believes he can do it, and so he does it. To help Milo out, the bear leaps in and out of the hat like magic, wowing the crowds. But after 762 performances, the bear needs to sleep. So Milo is on his own. But this is a new Milo, strengthened by the help of a stranger (the bear) and by belief in himself. The transformation in Milo is magic. Highly recommended.

This book is funny, sweet, creative, surprising, entertaining...it has it all.

This book is adorable -- my kids love to laugh, and this story brings them so much joy.

Parent note: uses replacement words for God's name: gosh and gee.

In need of a rabbit for his "pathetic" hat trick, Milo goes to the forest. Armed with a carrot, a stick and his hat, he manages to catch a magical bear instead. The bear is able to hop in and out of hats with aplomb, "You just pretend your bones are made of rubber. It's a secret I learned from a rabbit." The use of blank, "Orphan Annie" style eyes, a shaggy mustache and the oversized schnoz of the title character of Milo's Hat Trick create a certain deadpan expression that carries throughout the book. The too short trousers and oversized tie that Milo wears are a further visual clue to his eccentricity. Rough pencil sketches retain their quick, fresh quality while subdued painted tones create a drab cityscape. The tightly bordered introduction picture makes clear where the exposition ends and where the story really begins. Full spread pictures that bleed off of the edges and provide a sense of atmosphere alternate with small, floating pictures showing a particular moment frozen in time. This story is particularly geared for ages four to seven. The punch line at the ending illustrates that the underdog does win sometimes and that self-reliance is best. The book would have special appeal as an introduction to the idea of a magic show, or for children who are interested in learning magic themselves.

I"ve made a career out of entertaining families with my quirky show. This book captures my highest goal - to mesmerize adults and kids at the same time. I think our sons loved it . I know that they asked for it again and again. Was this because of the spare text , hilarious drawings, or the surprising plot twists , each with their own perfect logic? Maybe they just could feel my joy in reading it, and so I uncontrollably pushed it on them!! His illustrations show remarkable range, and Milo shows so many feelings withtout ever even illustrating his mouth. After you get this book, get his book 'Incredible' !

There are really cool illustrations to go along with the story of a magician in danger of being fired since he can't do the famous rabbit trick, who meets a bear who can jump into hats. My nephews and nieces loved this one.

This book tells the story of Milo, a totally inept magician, who is pressured to improve his performances or lose his job. He goes off to the forest in search of a rabbit to put in his hat. Of course, he is unsuccessful at finding a rabbit, but instead finds a very generous and helpful bear. The dedicated bear proceeds to help Milo improve his act.

There is extremely little to cause anxiety in this book, although some children may express a little concern at the original appearance of the bear. However, Milo learns to trust others, and the bear does some wonderful good deeds to help a complete stranger. The book is printed in a sans serif font, that would be easy for beginning readers to deal with. It contains about 650 words.

A wonderful tale about a down-on-his-luck magician who meets an amazing bear. The story is delightful and funny-even for parents. We love the illustrations, the bears telling eyes, the magician's expressions. We have shared this book with many friends.