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, 12/19/2013Kate 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.