Polly Diamond and the Magic Book

Polly Diamond and the Magic Book
Alice Kuipers
Diana Toledano, Illustrator
Chronicle, 2018 107 pages
Grades 2-4
Fantasy

A boring Sunday turns exciting as our precocious and imaginative narrator and budding writer, Polly Diamond, receives a magic book in the mail. Dad is too busy taking care of toddler sister and pregnant Mom, as well as cleaning up Polly's pancake mess from trying to "help", to sit with her to look at it. Imagine Polly's surprise when she makes a wish and her room paints itself in her favorite color of aquamarine, complete with live fish on the walls. Things start to really heat up as Mom goes into labor and Dad must take her to the hospital. Polly's beloved teacher and family friend is coming to babysit, but first they need to be looked after by the dreaded teenaged Shaylene. Polly goes invisible, thanks to her book, greatly confusing Shaylene and then turns her sister into a banana. A wish for a perfect (huge) house don't go exactly as planned and chaos results in the babysitter practically losing her mind, when Polly wishes everything right again. Good baby news follows shortly after and Polly prepares to welcome the new family member, as further adventures with her magic book, now named spell, are hinted to follow.

A new chapter book series a cut above the usual fair. Perfect for magical kids not quite ready for The Magic Tree House, but can't stomach gooey fairy books, this new series will find an audience. Both boys and girls will enjoy the story and premise and readers will chuckle along at Polly's antics as they are dazzled by the magic of the book. Making wishes are a child's fantasy and Polly will get them dreaming about what they would wish for if they could get their hands on such a book. Polly, both an aspiring writer and an artist, clearly has a vivid imagination. Is the book really magical or is the magic happening in her mind. Who cares? The story is fun and kids will enjoy wishing right alongside Polly. The mixed media illustrations are also a cut above the usual comics seen in books for this age group and are reminiscent of Lauren Child. There is an illustration on every page, encouraging emerging readers to jump in and read. The design is well crafted and the pages feel lux. Kids will identify with Polly's dissatisfaction of having to share a room with her sister and the lack of attention brought on by the impending arrival of the new baby. The message clearly is "be careful what you wish for" and to appreciate your family. Polly is bi-racial, yet this is not the point of the book and is known simply through the illustrations, further welcoming a diverse readership. A great series starter that is sure to grow legs.