Author: Brian Selznick
Illustrator: Brian Selznick
© Date: 1991
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc
Pages: 56
Chapters: No
Illustrations: Yes, almost all page layouts have an illustration
Publisher Recommended Age: 7-10 years
Bonus Activities at End of Book: No, but the Interesting Note from the author is worth reading, it explains some of the history and the mystery of an actual Houdini box
Summary from Book: Open this book and come face-to-face with the greatest magician of all time—Harry Houdini!
Victor is forever trying to escape from locked trunks, walk through walls, and perform any number of Houdini’s astonishing magic tricks…without success. Then—amazingly—he actually meets his idol, and begs Houdini to explain himself. A mysterious locked box is the magician’s only answer, and Victor is left to wonder: Does the box contain the secrets to the most famous magic tricks ever performed?
As spellbinding as a virtuoso performance by Houdini himself, this illustrated storybook for all ages combines captivating mystery and mesmerizing historical fiction, and as a bonus, offers a biographical note about Houdini. Equally strong as a read-aloud or a read-alone book, The Houdini Box signals the debut of an exciting new author-illustrator whose drawings create the pure pleasure of an old-time magic show.
Note: This review is done from memory. I originally read this awhile ago.
Page Pig Thoughts: This traditionally formatted story seems like it could inspire children to follow their dreams. But even if it doesn’t, the story was an interesting peek into the mystery of how to learn magic tricks.
This one was inadvertently funny. Well, at least I don’t think that the main character locking himself in a trunk and trying to walk through walls was intended to be humorous, but I found it amusing. Page Pup also giggled when I told her about those bits.
I suggested this one for Page Pup to read, but I think some other books were more appealing at the time. Maybe later.
Use caution with children who are prone to try things that they see in books, a child that locks themself into a suitcase or tries to walk through walls will likely be as stressful for you as it was for the mother/aunt in the story.