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Magic Genre

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Books in the Magic genre:

Five Children and It (1948)

Five children on holiday discover a sand fairy in a local quarry -- and it grants their wishes, with sometimes surprising results.

Author(s): E. Nesbit
Illustrator(s): J. S. Goodall

The Magic Bus (1948)

Jenny the bus may be old, but she has a golden button on her dashboard that will take you anywhere. This is an abridged edition of Jenny, the Bus that Nobody Loved.... View More

Author(s): Maurice Dolbier
Illustrator(s): Tibor Gergely

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s Magic (1949)

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle comes to the rescue of parents who don’t know what to do when their children act up.

Author(s): Betty MacDonald
Illustrator(s): Kurt Wiese

The Story of the Amulet (1949)

The five children re-encounter the Psammead—the “It” in Five Children and It. As it no longer grants wishes to the children, however, its capacity is mainly advisory in relation to the children’s other discovery, the Amulet.... View More

Author(s): E. Nesbit
Illustrator(s): J. S. Goodall

The Tale of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (1949)

Open sesame opens the treasure cave to Ali, but the thieves will try to recover their ill-gotten gains.

Author(s): E. Powys Mathers
Illustrator(s): Edward Ardizzone

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: A Story for Children (1950)

Evacuated from London during the Blitz, the four Pevensie children discover a new world in the wardrobe in the spare room - Narnia.

Author(s): C. S. Lewis
Illustrator(s): Pauline Baynes

Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia (1951)

While on their way to school the Pevensie children find themselves pulled out of our world into Narnia at the summons of Queen Susan’s horn, blown by Prince Caspian, the rightful king of Narnia. Read online at archive.org. ... View More

Author(s): C. S. Lewis
Illustrator(s): Pauline Baynes

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952)

Edmund and Lucy Pevensie are visiting their cousin Eustice Scrubb when they are pulled into a picture of a Narnian ship and find themselves part of the crew of the Dawn Treader under the command of Caspian the tenth. Read online at archive.org. ... View More

Author(s): C. S. Lewis
Illustrator(s): Pauline Baynes

Pet of the Met (1953)

A mouse who works as a page turner at the Metropolitan Opera House has only one enemy: a cat. But during a performance of "The Magic Flute," something magical happens to change their lives.

Junior Literary Guild
Junior Literary Guild - 1953

The Silver Chair (1953)

Eustace Scrubb who had accompanied Edmund and Lucy on The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, returns to Narnia with his schoolmate Jill Pole and is tasked by Aslan with recovering Caspian’s son, Prince Rilian. Rread online at archive.org. ... View More

Author(s): C. S. Lewis
Illustrator(s): Pauline Baynes

Half Magic (1954)

Faced with a dull summer in the city, Jane, Mark, Katharine, and Martha suddenly find themselves involved in a series of extraordinary adventures after Jane discovers an ordinary-looking coin that seems to grant wishes. Read online at archive.org.... View More

Author(s): Edward Eager
Illustrator(s): N. M. Bodecker

The Horse and His Boy (1954)

Bree, a talking horse from Narnia, joins up with Shasta, a young slave in Calormen, to escape to Narnia. Read online at archive.org. ... View More

Author(s): C. S. Lewis
Illustrator(s): Pauline Baynes

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s Farm (1954)

The widow of a retired pirate has move to the country but is still providing cures for children with bad habits.

Author(s): Betty MacDonald
Illustrator(s): Maurice Sendak

Dragon Run (1955)

This time travel adventure takes Chris Mason and Mr. Wicker back to colonial days.

Author(s): Carley Dawson
Illustrator(s): Lynd Ward

The Magician’s Nephew (1955)

Digory’s uncle sends him and his neighbor Polly to the land between the worlds and he comes back with the cruel witch Jadis. In an attempt to get rid of her they all end up in the newborn world of Narnia.

Author(s): C. S. Lewis
Illustrator(s): Pauline Baynes

Sun Slower Sun Faster (1955)

Cecilia and Rickie discover a time warp.

Author(s): Meriol Trevor
Illustrator(s): Edward Ardizzone

The Wicked Enchantment (1955)

A story of the present day interwoven with an ancient legend of a wicked tyrant and an evil enchantment. Read online at archive.org.... View More

Author(s): Margot Benary-Isbert
Illustrator(s): Enrico Arno

Knight’s Castle (1956)

Four cousins, Roger, Ann, Eliza, and Jack, have an extraordinary summer when, after an old toy soldier comes to life, they find themselves transported back to the days of Robin Hood and Ivanhoe. Read online at archive.org. ... View More

Author(s): Edward Eager
Illustrator(s): N. M. Bodecker

The Last Battle (1956)

Tirian, the last king of Narnia summons Jill and Eustace to his aid when his kingdom is overrun by the Calormenes. Read online at archive.org. ... View More

Author(s): C. S. Lewis
Illustrator(s): Pauline Baynes

Carnegie Medal
Carnegie Medal - 1956

The Phoenix and the Carpet (1956)

The five children who discovered ‘It’ find a Phoenix’ egg rolled up in a magic carpet and hatch it in the nursery fireplace.

Author(s): E. Nesbit
Illustrator(s): H. R. Millar

Winky Dink (1956)

Winky feels lonely during his visit to the zoo, but a friendly balloon helps him make friends.

Author(s): Ann McGovern
Illustrator(s): Richard Scarry

Bedknob and Broomstick (1957)

Carey, Charles and Paul discover their neighbor, Miss Price is a witch. She purchases their silence with a magic bed-knob that allows their bed to travel in space and time. Read online at archive.org. ... View More

Author(s): Mary Norton
Illustrator(s): Erik Blegvad

The Cat in the Hat (1957)

A cat in a hat comes calling and makes a mess.

Read online at archive.org

Author(s): Dr. Seuss
Illustrator(s): Dr. Seuss

Hello, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle (1957)

A woman with a magic way of curing children’s bad habits tries her hand with a bully, a whisperer, and a slowpoke and formulates cures for a show-off and a crybaby. Read online at archive.org. ... View More

Author(s): Betty MacDonald
Illustrator(s): Hilary Knight

Magic by the Lake (1957)

On a vacation with their mother and stepfather, Jane, Mark, Katharine, and Martha find themselves overwhelmed with a lakeful of magical adventures after Mark captures an ancient turtle that seems to have extraordinary powers. Read online at archive.o... View More

Author(s): Edward Eager
Illustrator(s): N. M. Bodecker

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle (1957)

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle is the widow of a pirate who lives in a house built upside down. When worried mothers call her about Jane or Darci’s behavior problems, she always has a solution. Read online at archive.org. ... View More

Author(s): Betty MacDonald
Illustrator(s): Hilary Knight

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s Magic (1957)

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle sometimes comes up with surprising cures for childrens’ problems. Read online at archive.org. ... View More

Author(s): Betty MacDonald
Illustrator(s): Hilary Knight

The Cat in the Hat Comes Back! (1958)

The Cat in the Hat is up to more mischief.

Read online at archive.org. 

Author(s): Dr. Seuss
Illustrator(s): Dr. Seuss

The Curious Tale of Cloud City (1958)

Colin and Pam are snatched away to Cloud City, after eating an enchanted sweet, where they help free the people from enslavement to the animals.

Author(s): Joan Mary Bate
Illustrator(s): Pauline Baynes

Hassan of Basorah (1958)

When the cruel magician strands Hassan on the mountain top he fears he is lost. The seven little sisters take him in and he meets the swan maiden, but his adventures are just beginning.

Author(s): Monica Backway
Illustrator(s): Pauline Baynes

The Time Garden (1958)

While spending the summer in a house by the sea, four cousins, Roger, Ann, Eliza, and Jack, discover a bank of wild thyme whose magic propels them on a series of adventures back and forth through time. Read online at archive.org. ... View More

Author(s): Edward Eager
Illustrator(s): N. M. Bodecker

Tom’s Midnight Garden (1958)

While waiting out quarantine for measles, Tom stays with his aunt and uncle in an old house and discovers he can enter the past through the garden at night.

Author(s): Philippa Pearce
Illustrator(s): Susan Einzig

Carnegie Medal
Carnegie Medal - 1958

Magic or Not? (1959)

When Laura learns the well at her new house is a wishing well, she plunges right in.

Read online at archive.org

Author(s): Edward Eager
Illustrator(s): N. M. Bodecker

The Nine Questions (1959)

Willie sets out to seek his fortune with his watch, his feather cap, a silver whistle and a feather bag. Along his journey he learns the answers to the nine questions which will allow him to find his father and assume his rightful place in the kingdo... View More

Author(s): Edward Fenton
Illustrator(s): C. Walter Hodges

The River at Green Knowe (1959)

Three children are invited to spend the summer at Green Knowe - they must be able to swim - and explore the river. Read online at archive.org. ... View More

Author(s): L. M. Boston
Illustrator(s): Peter Boston

Trick or Treat (1959)

One Halloween, there are lights on in the old haunted house, so the children knock on the door and go in, one by one -- and don’t come out again -- until … Read online at archive.org.... View More

Author(s): Louis Slobodkin
Illustrator(s): Louis Slobodkin

The Kingdom of Carbonel (1960)

When Carbonel must make his visitation to the Great Cat King, he leaves his two royal kittens under the protection of Rosemary and John who have almost more than they can manage to keep them safe.

Author(s): Barbara Sleigh
Illustrator(s): D. Michael Leonard

The Lemonade Trick (1960)

A mysterious potion mixed by Kerby with his chemistry set has a beneficial effect on the neighborhood bully but also wreaks havoc at the Sunday School pageant. Read online at archive.org.... View More

Author(s): Scott Corbett
Illustrator(s): Paul Galdone

The Phoenix and the Carpet (1960)

The five children who discovered ‘It’ find a Phoenix’ egg rolled up in a magic carpet and hatch it in the nursery fireplace.

Author(s): E. Nesbit
Illustrator(s): J. S. Goodall

The Story of the Amulet (1960)

The five children re-encounter the Psammead—the “It” in Five Children and It. As it no longer grants wishes to the children, however, its capacity is mainly advisory in relation to the children’s other discovery, the Amulet.... View More

Author(s): E. Nesbit
Illustrator(s): H. R. Millar

The Well-Wishers (1960)

Laura, Lydia, James and Kip put the old wishing well on its mettle, and it delivers. Read online at archive.org. ... View More

Author(s): Edward Eager
Illustrator(s): N. M. Bodecker

The Witch Family (1960)

Amy and Clarissa banish the wicked Old Witch to the Glass Hill, but she is not done with them yet. Fortunately Malachi the magic bumble bee is on their side. Read online at archive.org. ... View More

Author(s): Eleanor Estes
Illustrator(s): Edward Ardizzone

Mrs. Coverlet’s Magicians (1961)

The Toad is not at all pleased when Miss Eva Penalty takes over for Mrs. Coverlet, and he intends to do something about it.

Author(s): Mary Nash
Illustrator(s): Garret Price

The Little Knife Who Did all the Work: Twelve Tales of Magic (1962)

A collection of fairy tales which includes a story of Arthur and Merlin.

Author(s): Alison Uttley
Illustrator(s): Pauline Baynes

The Singing Cupboard (1962)

When great-aunt Gerda brings the singing cupboard, magical things begin to happen.

Author(s): Dana Faralla
Illustrator(s): Edward Ardizzone

Speaking of Mrs. McCluskie (1962)

When she is forced into retirement Mrs. McCluskie can’t get anyone to buy her baked goods, until an old broom takes a hand in things. Read online at archive.org. ... View More

Author(s): Cecil Maiden
Illustrator(s): Hilary Knight

Junior Literary Guild
Junior Literary Guild - 1962

A Wrinkle in Time (1963)

When their scientist father disappears whilst on a secret mission, two children and a friend search for him through time and space by a process of "tessering."

Author(s): Madeleine L’Engle
Illustrator(s): Ellen Raskin

Newbery Medal
Newbery Medal - 1963

Borrobil (1964)

Two children get caught up in a contest involving dragons, puppies, magic and midwinter.

The Rout of the Ollafubs (1964)

This is the story of Skyboy and Littleflame and their adventures with the Ollafubs.

Author(s): Katharine Greville Lethbridge
Illustrator(s): Pauline Baynes

The Animal Garden (1965)

Roy and Joy would like a pet, but their parents are allergic - until Abidan Allseed gives them some vegetable pets.

Author(s): Ogden Nash
Illustrator(s): Hilary Knight

The Runaway Toys (1965)

The toys in the shop don’t want to be given to children, but Santa changes their minds.

Author(s): Evelyn Hart
Illustrator(s): Hilary Knight

The Starlight Barking (1967)

Pongo the dalmation wakes up one day and discovers that the rest of the world is rapt in unwakeable slumber. Read online at archive.org. ... View More

The Lord of the Rings (1968)

This was the first one-volume paperback edition.

Author(s): J. R. R. Tolkien
Illustrator(s): Pauline Baynes

A Necklace of Raindrops, and other stories (1968)

These eight stories, most of which include a bit of magic, include tales of a wishing mat, an enormous cat, and a very strange house.

Author(s): Joan Aiken
Illustrator(s): Jan Pieńkowski

A Mary Poppins Story for Coloring (1969)

Author(s): P. L. Travers
Illustrator(s): Mary Shepard

The Weirdstone of Brisingamen (1969)

Susan and Colin discover that the lost Weirstone hangs on her bracelet, and all the powers of evil are out to steal it. This is the revised edition.

Author(s): Alan Garner
Illustrator(s): Ron Bowen

Graeme and the Dragon (1970)

Graeme finds a baby dragon and nothing is ordinary again.

Author(s): Naomi Mitchison
Illustrator(s): Pauline Baynes

The Isle of Gramarye (1970)

An anthology of the poetry of magic.

Author(s): Various
Illustrator(s): Pauline Baynes

The Book of Wishes and Wishmaking (1971)

A listing of the many occasions on which to wish, like saving the tip of your cherry pie for last and making a wish on it.

Author(s): Duncan Emrich
Illustrator(s): Hilary Knight

The Lion that Flew (1974)

Toni’s magic ring brings a stone lion to life.

Author(s): James Reeves
Illustrator(s): Edward Ardizzone

Matt’s Mitt (1975)

When Matt is born his Uncle William Edgar gives him a baseball mitt, and thereon hangs a tale.

Author(s): Marilyn Sachs
Illustrator(s): Hilary Knight

Strega Nona (1975)

When Strega Nona leaves Big Anthony alone with her magic pasta pot, he is determined to show the townspeople how it works on his own.

Author(s): Tomie dePaola
Illustrator(s): Tomie dePaola

Caldecott Honor Book
Caldecott Honor Book - 1976

Carbonel and Calidor (1978)

When Prince Calidor strays off, his father, Carbonel King of the Cats, calls on Rosemary and John to help bring him back to the straight and narrow.

Author(s): Barbara Sleigh
Illustrator(s): Charles Front

Big Anthony and the Magic Ring (1979)

When Big Anthony borrows Strega Nona’s magic ring to turn himself into a handsome man, he gets more trouble than fun.

Author(s): Tomie dePaola
Illustrator(s): Tomie dePaola

Kate Crackernuts (1979)

Two step sisters flee from their mother, a witch.

Author(s): K. M. Briggs
Illustrator(s): Pauline Baynes

La Corona and the Tin Frog (1979)

A series of linked stories about the inhabitants of the playroom.

Read online at archive.org.

Author(s): Russell Hoban
Illustrator(s): Nicola Bayley

Prince Ricardo of Pantouflia (1979)

Prince Ricardo has discovered his father King Prigio’s magic articles and gone on a villain-slaying spree -- but now finds himself in trouble and must look to Princess Jaqueline for help.

Author(s): Andrew Lang
Illustrator(s): Klaas Bil

Mr Cosmo the Conjuror (1980)

Mr. Cosmo and his family travel around in their caravan doing conjuring shows in small villages.

Read online at archive.org.

Author(s): Allan Ahlberg
Illustrator(s): Joe Wright

The Little Moon Theater (1981)

Jo Jo, Jip and Nicolette traveling about in their caravan presenting plays and granting wishes, are shivering in the winter’s cold until a little old fairy godmother grants their wish.

Author(s): Irene Haas
Illustrator(s): Irene Haas

Mary Poppins (1981)

In this revised edition of the first Mary Poppins book, some inappropriate language has been removed. The cover image is from the 1997 signed limited edition.... View More

Author(s): P. L. Travers
Illustrator(s): Mary Shepard

Dragon Smoke and Magic Song (1984)

Three tales of Mimus the dragon who leaves his home and finds himself in the real world. There, he discovers Santa Claus, swimming and friendship; a tale of a unicorn, and a tale of a wise and very old monster living in New Zealand.

Author(s): David Harvey
Illustrator(s): Pauline Baynes

Peter Pan (1987)

It all starts when Pete loses his shadow, and before they really know what is happening Jane and Michael and John are off to the Neverland.

Author(s): J. M. Barrie
Illustrator(s): Michael Hague

Colm of the Islands (1989)

When Colm unwittingly insults the Hebredean Sea Giant, it abducts his sweetheart and he must ransom her with the rope of pearls from the neck of the Sea-King’s daughter.

Author(s): Rosemary Harris
Illustrator(s): Pauline Baynes

Witch’s Brew (1990)

Hildy witch is brewing up something special for Halloween.

Author(s): Marcia Leonard
Illustrator(s): Hilary Knight

The Complete Chronicles of Narnia (1998)

All seven of the chronicles of Narnia are included in this volume, printed in two columns. The illustrations have been colored by Pauline Baynes, the original artist.

Author(s): C. S. Lewis
Illustrator(s): Pauline Baynes

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1998)

Evacuated from London during the Blitz, the four Pevensie children discover a new world in the wardrobe in the spare room - Narnia.

Author(s): C. S. Lewis
Illustrator(s): Pauline Baynes

Five Children and It (1999)

Five children on holiday discover a sand fairy in a local quarry -- and it grants their wishes, with sometimes surprising results.

Author(s): E. Nesbit
Illustrator(s): Paul O. Zelinsky

The Wizard of Oz (2000)

Dorothy and her little dog Toto are carried to the Land of Oz in a cyclone. The have many adventures as they look for a way home. Read online at archive.org.... View More

Author(s): L. Frank Baum
Illustrator(s): Michael Hague

Il Fabbro Di Wootton Major (2005)

This is the Italian translation of Smith of Wootton Major.

Author(s): J. R. R. Tolkien
Illustrator(s): Pauline Baynes

The Box of Delights (2007)

Kay Harker is on his way home for the Christmas holidays when he falls a sleep on the train and has a marvelous adventure. This edition has been corrected from the original manuscript.

Author(s): John Masefield
Illustrator(s): Judith Masefield

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