Isaura and Arlo live in a small, thatched cottage in the woods with their pet hedgehog Crispin. Sadly, Crispin becomes very unwell. The children try to help him, but nothing works so they decide to find a gnome.
"Because gnomes are magical. If we find one we could ask it to help Crispin."
The problem is - how do you find a gnome? The children decide to lure the gnome with some food but sadly food is a "rare commodity" so they can only pour the last of their milk into a small bowl. Unfortunately, the bowl of milk temps a number of forest animals - a deer, fox, squirrel, badger and others and soon all the milk is gone and there is no gnome. But giving this milk was a act of generosity and kindness and so the next day the forest animals lead the children into a different part of the forest where they find blueberries, raspberries and strawberries. But (sorry to keep saying but) as with all good storytelling this one has lows, and highs, and another low and hopefully (wait for it) a happy ending. A sneaky frog eats all the fruit and only one mushroom is left. The children settle down to wait just in case a gnome does come and because they are hungry and tired they fall asleep.
"When they woke up, the children could not believe their eyes."
There are two gold coins and these coins will be enough to buy food for many years to come. But (here we go again) little Crispin is still very unwell. The children move away to look for something that will warm him up and while they are gone something magical happens.
How do you judge a picture book?
- Cover - this one is so appealing and uses spot varnish to add a shine which is revealed when you move the cover. The title - The Magic Cap - matches the cover image of a magical character - a gnome - wearing his bright orange/red cap. He has a simple face but he looks so content. Later you will discover the title has two possible meanings.
- End Papers - In this book they are filled with a pattern a little like a patchwork quilt and later when you read the book you will see other patterns just like this on quilts, clothes, their tea pot, bed covers, and floor coverings.
- A satisfying story - I have already shared the highs and lows of the story and of course there is that all important glorious happy ending. This is also a classic 'rags to riches' story and also exemplifies the theme 'one good turn deserves another'.
- Lyrical language - just think about these words - a tiny, thatched cottage; hunched silently behind a bush; breakfast was a symphony of sad sounds; nature is teeming with wonderful delights.
- Pages where the illustrations tell a story that goes way beyond the text and in this book there is also a wordless page.
The Magic Cap is a Canadian picture book - they always produce wonderful picture books in Canada. It was also published in French with the title Le bonnet magique. In Australia this book is available from Thames and Hudson.
Bookseller blurb: Inspired by folktales, writer Mireille Messier and illustrator Charlotte Parent present a heartwarming picture-book story full of vibrant color imagery about devotion and generosity, for all lovers of gnomes and whimsical forest creatures. Many moons ago, in a tiny, thatched cottage at the edge of the woods, lived two children named Isaura and Arlo with their hedgehog, Crispin. When their beloved pet becomes ill, Isaura suggests that they seek the magical healing power of gnomes. Convinced this will heal Crispin, the children set off into the woods with humble offerings, hoping to attract the gnomes. The trick does not seem to work, however, and gnomes are nowhere to be seen despite the children’s good intentions. Isaura and Arlo will have to remain hopeful and wish for a magical solution!
Read more about Mireille Messier here.
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