When a fortuneteller’s tent appears in the market square of the city of Baltese, orphan Peter Augustus Duchene knows the questions that he needs to ask: Does his sister still live? And if so, how can he find her?
The fortuneteller’s mysterious answer (An elephant! An elephant will lead him there!) sets off a chain of events so remarkable, so impossible, that Peter can hardly dare to believe it.
But it is—all of it—true.
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"We listened to this while traveling over the holidays. I was truly impressed with the reader's ability to do so many different voices and accents. Since the whole set took only a little over 3 hours, it was also a perfect size for our trip. It is hard to find an audio set that the four of us want to listen to for 10-11 hours (which is a length we've tried twice before and either didn't finish or found a disk in the library set to have skips). Anyway, this was interesting to listen to and the story was engaging."
— Laura (4 out of 5 stars)
" That made me cry aanndd it was the BEST book I have EVER read in my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "
— whos asking??!, 4/9/2020" This book is very sad in many ways, but also full of hope. It is the simplicity of it all that makes it so beautiful "
— Kaylan, 2/14/2014" A beautifully surreal yet child-like experience. "
— AnaSara, 2/10/2014" You wouldn't know it, but an elephant falling through the roof of a crowded opera house can actually help some unhappy people be happy. This book seemed parable or fable-like, and (dare I say it?) luminous. It's a kid's book, but I actually wonder if kids would really enjoy it, or if it's one of those nominally kids books that are really for grown-ups, like Le Petit Prince. "
— Jennifer, 1/28/2014" I recently read DiCamillo's Miraculous Adventures of Edward Tulane and loved it. I was not quite as captivated by The Magician's Elephant, but it is still an enjoyable, beautiful fable. A bit dark at times for kids, but then most tend to like dark stories, I think. The characters are quirky and interesting and, at times, quite humorous. It's nice to read a children's story that does not feel dumbed-down or contrived. I look forward to more stories by this author. "
— Patricia, 1/25/2014" couldn't put it down! quick read. Dark & magical, Special & memorable. Lovely illustrations, beautiful typeface. A perfect little story. "
— Amy, 1/19/2014" I liked the innocence and magic ocnveyed in this well presented little book. It made me want to believe in magic again and in hope that it will all be okay. I'm not sure about the age this book is aimed at, I enjoyed it as it took me back to a time of innocence but I'm not sure children will enjoy it as much. I felt sorry for the poor sad elephant! Definetly a worthy read! "
— Catherine, 1/17/2014" After 2 good books, "Because of Winn-Dixie" & "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane" it feels like the author is experimenting or even floundering. This was weird, stilted & unsatisfying. "
— Julie, 1/17/2014" I loved the style of the writing, almost lyrical. Amazing love story. "
— Judith, 1/2/2014" I heart Kate DiCamillo's lyrical story lines and her beautiful heart. "
— Kathleen, 12/19/2013" A lot of beautiful phrases. I wrote them down...somewhere. "
— Scott, 10/8/2013" Really great book for youth on keeping a positive outlook, a sweet story with "old country" feel. "
— Mara, 5/28/2013" Another elephant book...This fantasy/mystery was interesting and fast-moving. I quickly cared about the characters and liked the happy ending. Tweens who like animals and light fantasy might like this title. "
— Bonnie, 4/22/2013" Just finished reading this again, this time with my son. I love this book. I LOVE it. It's absolutely beautiful without being sappy. It's pretty much perfect. "
— Jen, 4/5/2013" beautiful, dreamy, art "
— Lee, 3/20/2013" This was a good short fast read, about magic and hope. "
— Jennifer, 3/7/2013" a story of hope; haunting illustrations in black and white. "
— Shelley, 3/3/2013" Charming but it drags a little too much. "
— Anne, 1/17/2013" Beautiful beautiful story. "
— Monica, 12/21/2012" Perfectly elegant and charming. "
— Kristy, 11/17/2012" It was exciting when the elephant came crashing through the theaters roof. "
— Susan, 8/29/2012" This is a story about finding the possible in the impossible. I thought this book was lovely and magical. "
— Cheryl, 6/19/2012" "Magic is impossible and that is why it is magic." Faith in the impossible is at the core of this tale about a young boy who must follow an elephant to find his missing sister. "
— Jen, 4/8/2012" Interesting book. A touching story of an orphaned boy searching for his lost sister. The storytelling is very dreamlike. "
— Mauri, 1/31/2012" "How will the world change if we do not question it?" This work poses this question and several other thought-provoking ones. This is a quick read that should appeal to many older elementary and middle school students. It read like a fairy tale. "
— Doreen, 7/26/2011" It's not as good Tale of Desperaux or Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, but it's not as bad as Winn-Dixie. It's too bad that DiCamillo is a hit-and-miss writer, since the books that I liked are SO SO SO good. "
— Honeybee, 5/23/2011" I love reading children's books and books like this are why. I loved the sweet story and thought the illustrations were beautiful. I would recommend this to any child or adult. "
— Jennifer, 5/21/2011" It was a fun quick fantasy about an orphan boy who finds his place in the world and his long lost little sister. I would recommend it to 3rd - 6th grade boy or girl. "
— Lisa, 5/20/2011" A story of forgiveness and caring for others! "
— Mary, 5/18/2011" I love children's books and I am normally easily pleased by them but this book was way too juvenile and predictable for children who would be of the age to read this. (This is not a picture book.) I would not recommend this book. "
— Marla, 5/14/2011" A fanciful story written in lyrical style my one of my favorite childrens book authors. The story is pretty far-fetched but the language is imaginative and fun, conjuring up meaning well beyond the margins of the whimsical plot. "
— Steve, 5/7/2011" Wonderful story and beautiful pictures. Excellent escape for any age reader. "
— Merriwether, 5/5/2011" I liked this book, but I didn't like all of how it was written. "
— Samantha, 5/3/2011" This was a really good book. It was written brilliantly. It was a touching story. "
— Erica, 4/25/2011" Love, love, love this book. Heartwarming, eloquent story of love and magic. "
— Julie, 4/22/2011" ok This author just keeps getting better and better. The messages in the book are for all of us. The writing is exquisite. I couldn't put it down and cried on the bus as I was finishing it.<br/>More Kate DiCamillo please! "
— Marcy, 4/22/2011Kate DiCamillo is an American author of children’s fiction and twice winner of the Newbery Medal. Several of her books made the New York Times bestsellers list. Her debut novel, the award-winning Because of Winn-Dixie, was made into a major motion picture, and her book The Tiger Rising was a finalist for the National Book Award. She is the US National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature for 2014 to 2015, appointed by the Library of Congress.
Juliet Stevenson is a narrator who is recipient of the AudioFile Golden Voice Award. She has won the prestigious Audie Award and numerous Earphones Awards for her narrations. She is a British actress on stage and screen and notably a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company. She has also appeared in popular films such as Bend It Like Beckham and Mona Lisa Smile. She was honored as a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. She received further recognition when she was nominated for several BAFTA Awards, and she earned an Olivier Award for her role in Death and the Maiden.