Pip's Magic [Hardcover]

Ellen Stoll Walsh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 26, 1994 | Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Pip the salamander is afraid of the dark. Believing that magic might help him, Pip searches for Old Abra the wizard, following his trail into the woods, through a tunnel, and into the night-and discovers that the strength to conquer his fear was within himself all along. “The brilliance of Walsh’s illustrative palette and the joyful way her characters explore the pages bring a light-heartedness that delivers the message with enchantment.”-Children’s Book Review Magazine

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Pip, a salamander afraid of the dark, sets out in search of Old Abra the wizard, hoping he will help him to be brave. His travels take him through a pitch-dark forest, "black as shadows under a rock," into a tunnel "as black as night with my eyes closed" and over the hills when night falls, "black as river mud." By the time he finds Old Abra, he has no need of the wizard's counsel, for without realizing it he has already confronted and conquered his fear. Walsh (Mouse Paint; Hop, Jump) uses boldly colored, paint-spattered cutouts that add charm and child appeal to this obvious but still helpful tale: young noctiphobes will enjoy perceiving what is happening before Pip does, and they may find a useful lesson in the notion that action can be the best antidote to fear. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-Pip, a salamander, is afraid of the dark. He seeks the advice of Old Abra, a wizard, traveling through a forest "black as shadows under a rock," into a tunnel "black as night," and across the nighttime hills "as black as river mud." When he finally catches up with Old Abra, the wise tortoise helps Pip realize that he already has the magic needed to brave the dark, with a little extra to spare. Filled with new confidence, the little lizard takes his leftover magic and finds a quiet place to rest. Walsh's cut-paper collage illustrations are bold and bright. Splatters of paint and a variety of textured papers add detail and dimension to the pictures. The animals are clearly and dramatically depicted: jumping frogs, with their graceful arms outstretched, dance across the page; an orange sun rises behind Old Abra's mottled shell, making him seem ancient and all-knowing; and Pip sets out on his quest with a worried expression and large, wondering eyes. Bright white backgrounds contrast sharply with the deeper tones, making his emotions more believable. Simple and uncluttered, the illustrations work well with the straightforward text, making this positive treatment of a common fear a good choice for sharing aloud.
Joy Fleishhacker, New York Public Library
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; 1 edition (September 26, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152928502
• ISBN-13: 978-0152928506
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,736,713 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

ELLEN STOLL WALSH is the author and illustrator of many award-winning early concept books for young children, including Mouse Paint, Mouse Count, and the Dot and Jabber trilogy. She lives near Rochester, New York.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting story for ages 3-4, June 10, 2002

By 

Joanna Benz "Joanna Benz" (Henderson, NV USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pip's Magic (Paperback)

VERY simple story about a salamandar who seeks magic that can conquer his fear of the dark -- but eventually finds the magic was within him.

This book is mostly pictures, very little text. Easy to read to little people. Those who are very fearful will find a champion to admire in Pip. Helps children learn that the world is much more than a big scary place... there's magic, too.