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Mister Magnolia
Mister Magnolia Blake, Quentin
32 pages, Paperback
First published November 27, 1992
19 people are currently reading
1005 people want to read
About the author
Quentin Blake
817 books741 followersSir Quentin Saxby Blake is an English cartoonist, caricaturist, illustrator and children's writer. He has illustrated over 300 books, including 18 written by Roald Dahl, which are among his most popular works. For his lasting contribution as a children's illustrator he won the biennial international Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2002, the highest recognition available to creators of children's books. From 1999 to 2001, he was the inaugural British Children's Laureate. He is a patron of the Association of Illustrators.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
September 13, 2020
My children loved this story when they were small, so small they couldn't say Mr Magnolia properly and it came out as Mr Maga-maga. This probably wouldn't have appealed to me so much if it wasn't for the enjoyment of those it was was read to. Quentin Blake's drawings are lively and bright and there is a lot going on in the pictures. The story revolves around the fact that Mr Magnolia has only one boot but he does have many other things that rhyme with boot, so it's largely a nonsense rhyme but hugely enjoyed by all the children I have read this with.
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July 13, 2025
haha... I love Quentin Blake's drawings!
August 4, 2022
4 stars - English Ebook
Chosen as one of the top 10 Greenaway Medal winners of all time, this is a classic, exuberant, rhyming picture book from the much-loved Quentin Blake Mr. Magnolia has only one boot.
He has an old trumpet that goes rooty- toot.And two lovely sisters who play on the flute.But Mr. Magnolia has only one boot.
In this wittily rhyming picture book, Mr. Magnolia has a full and happy life except for one serious omission a boot.
But one day, he receives a mysterious parcel, and at last Mr. Magnolia can splash in the puddles with everyone else.
Lovely read with my grandson. We did enjoyed it a lot.
Chosen as one of the top 10 Greenaway Medal winners of all time, this is a classic, exuberant, rhyming picture book from the much-loved Quentin Blake Mr. Magnolia has only one boot.
He has an old trumpet that goes rooty- toot.And two lovely sisters who play on the flute.But Mr. Magnolia has only one boot.
In this wittily rhyming picture book, Mr. Magnolia has a full and happy life except for one serious omission a boot.
But one day, he receives a mysterious parcel, and at last Mr. Magnolia can splash in the puddles with everyone else.
Lovely read with my grandson. We did enjoyed it a lot.
May 19, 2020
I was fortunate enough to meet Quentin Blake and have this book signed by him. This is a lovely picture book with a combination of illustrations and text which accompany each other perfectly. This book explores the crazy life go Mister Magnolia, who has only one boot. The rhyming text features of this book add to the flow of reading and help create a wonderful read-aloud text.
May 4, 2014
Mister Magnolia by Quentin Blake
This book is about a man who goes about his daily business, but he only has one boot.
I love reading this book with my children for the simplicity of the story - he is a happy person doing things with his friends, such as playing the trumpet and taking his friends out for a scoot. The illustrations really bring the book to life. We spend just as long reading the book as looking at the detail in the pictures, for example the expression on the face of the woman in 'Just look at the way he juggles with fruit!'
The story builds to a wonderful finale when Mister magnolia receives a package with a (mismatch) boot, but it doesn't matter to him, he now has two boots!
I have only read this to/with my children, but because of the message, it could be used to demonstrate how happy Mister Magnolia is, even though he only has one boot. It could also be read to class as then the children could be asked questions around him still being happy with only one boot.
This book is about a man who goes about his daily business, but he only has one boot.
I love reading this book with my children for the simplicity of the story - he is a happy person doing things with his friends, such as playing the trumpet and taking his friends out for a scoot. The illustrations really bring the book to life. We spend just as long reading the book as looking at the detail in the pictures, for example the expression on the face of the woman in 'Just look at the way he juggles with fruit!'
The story builds to a wonderful finale when Mister magnolia receives a package with a (mismatch) boot, but it doesn't matter to him, he now has two boots!
I have only read this to/with my children, but because of the message, it could be used to demonstrate how happy Mister Magnolia is, even though he only has one boot. It could also be read to class as then the children could be asked questions around him still being happy with only one boot.
July 9, 2019
Is this a Stormzy song? It should be a Stormzy song :D
May 1, 2012
Mr Magnolia is a wonderful rhyming story about the marvellous Mr Magnolia who has a trumpet, two lovely sisters, a pond, some owls and a dinosaur. This already creates the image that he is not normal to have a dinosaur in his house. The one of my favourite things is that he only wears one boot. This always makes the children laugh. Then one day a mysterious parcel arrives. Key Stage one children love the energy and the humour of this boot. The book is best read aloud and appealing colourful illustrations include lots of details that children love to pick out when the story is being read.
October 28, 2012
MJ Nicholls grew up hating this book. That's good enough for me.
June 30, 2016
This is a funny book with beautiful illustrations! It is full of happy nonsense and I liked it a lot.
March 5, 2013
Just beautiful and joyous. The owls alone are worth the price of the book.
March 1, 2023
Fun and silly and lovely. Quentin Blake's writing is as endearing as his illustration.
September 16, 2024
Almost unbearably cute.
January 8, 2025
got a seven minute standing ovation in my bedroom by 3 year old me
November 11, 2012
I've just read Mr Magnolia by Quentin Blake to my two daughters at bedtime.They loved the rhyming of the story and by the third page managed to even join in with the rhyming..
Quite briefly, Mr Magnolia is the story of a lovely man who has a lot going on for him in life- he has a trumpet,two lovely sisters,a pond with frogs,parakeets,some very fat owls,lots of friends,a chute and a dinosaur ,but Mr Magnolia has just one boot all throughout the book.It seems really unfair that such a nice person as him has just one boot and cannot even ho utside outside on a rainy day.When he eventually finds a new second boot at the end of the book you can't help but be genuinely happy for him.
The book can be read at circle time as early as Foundation stage.It can be very useful in teaching and revising the long vowel diagraph oo, because it is repeated frequently and spelled in many different ways throughout the story.
I loved the story because it promotes positive attitude to life ,demonstrated by Mr Magnolia who may be with just one boot but still enjoys life.
Quite briefly, Mr Magnolia is the story of a lovely man who has a lot going on for him in life- he has a trumpet,two lovely sisters,a pond with frogs,parakeets,some very fat owls,lots of friends,a chute and a dinosaur ,but Mr Magnolia has just one boot all throughout the book.It seems really unfair that such a nice person as him has just one boot and cannot even ho utside outside on a rainy day.When he eventually finds a new second boot at the end of the book you can't help but be genuinely happy for him.
The book can be read at circle time as early as Foundation stage.It can be very useful in teaching and revising the long vowel diagraph oo, because it is repeated frequently and spelled in many different ways throughout the story.
I loved the story because it promotes positive attitude to life ,demonstrated by Mr Magnolia who may be with just one boot but still enjoys life.
March 20, 2017
KS1- Year 1/2
English: Mr Magnolia has lots of medals. Where might he have got these from? Make a new rhyme about Mr Magnolia. Find all the adjectives in the book.
Maths: Count the animals that can be found in the story. Can you sort them into different groups using Venn diagrams?
Science: Think about the pond habitat in Mr Magnolia’s garden. What other creatures might live there? Can you plan an investigation to find the best surface for scooting/sliding on? Which has the most/least friction?
Art: Design a new boot for Mr Magnolia.
Geography: Look at the flags in one of the illustrations. Can you find out what/where they represent?
Physical Education: Can you learn to juggle like Mr Magnolia?
PSHE: Look at Mr Magnolia’s body language within each illustration. What does this tell you about how he is feeling at each point?
English: Mr Magnolia has lots of medals. Where might he have got these from? Make a new rhyme about Mr Magnolia. Find all the adjectives in the book.
Maths: Count the animals that can be found in the story. Can you sort them into different groups using Venn diagrams?
Science: Think about the pond habitat in Mr Magnolia’s garden. What other creatures might live there? Can you plan an investigation to find the best surface for scooting/sliding on? Which has the most/least friction?
Art: Design a new boot for Mr Magnolia.
Geography: Look at the flags in one of the illustrations. Can you find out what/where they represent?
Physical Education: Can you learn to juggle like Mr Magnolia?
PSHE: Look at Mr Magnolia’s body language within each illustration. What does this tell you about how he is feeling at each point?
January 15, 2012
This book has a rhyming pattern throughout with each sentence only being a few lines long – this will make it easy for children to read in particular early years, KS1.
The book itself centres on Mr. Magnolia who has only one boot. We are introduced to all the thing’s Mr. Magnolia does whilst wearing only one boot – he goes swimming; visit’s his friends, juggles fruit! Towards the end of the book the pictures show us a little girl who has a present from Mr. Magnolia – you’ve guessed it, it is a new boot!
The book itself is well illustrated with the pictures dominating the bulk of the page. The illustrations themselves tell a story which is why I think this book is more aimed towards 3-5year olds; however it is an enjoyable read which can be appreciated by all age ranges.
The book itself centres on Mr. Magnolia who has only one boot. We are introduced to all the thing’s Mr. Magnolia does whilst wearing only one boot – he goes swimming; visit’s his friends, juggles fruit! Towards the end of the book the pictures show us a little girl who has a present from Mr. Magnolia – you’ve guessed it, it is a new boot!
The book itself is well illustrated with the pictures dominating the bulk of the page. The illustrations themselves tell a story which is why I think this book is more aimed towards 3-5year olds; however it is an enjoyable read which can be appreciated by all age ranges.
October 17, 2011
"Poor Mister Magnolia only has one boot"… This book is a loopy and engaging rhyme. Mister Magnolia has a simple structure and principle but manages to include some more complex words that are made accessible by the colourful and active illustrations. I think that this would be a perfect book for years one and two as it would provide excellent opportunities to extend learning through questioning and would be great for speech and language activities, as it would really spark imagination and discussion.
June 17, 2012
I read this during circle time with my years 2 class just recently. They were all fascinated by the vivid images and funny set of events. "Poor Mister Magnolia only has one boot"… This book’s structure is of a loopy and engaging rhyme. Mister Magnolia although a simple text, manages to include some more complex words that are made accessible by the colourful and active illustrations. The book provides brilliant opportunities to extend learning through questioning and could be useful for speech and language activities as it ignites imagination and discussion.
April 15, 2021
Mr Magnolia has only one boot.
He has an old trumpet that goes rooty-toot -
And two lovely sisters who play on the flute -
But Mr Magnolia has only one boot.
Picked up as part of today's charity shop haul, this is classic Quentin Blake. A funny, rhyming, jaunt with Mister Magnolia will leave the reader feeling happier than when they started. A firm 3 1/2 stars.
He has an old trumpet that goes rooty-toot -
And two lovely sisters who play on the flute -
But Mr Magnolia has only one boot.
Picked up as part of today's charity shop haul, this is classic Quentin Blake. A funny, rhyming, jaunt with Mister Magnolia will leave the reader feeling happier than when they started. A firm 3 1/2 stars.
September 17, 2018
Mr. Magnolia has only one boot, but Blake without Dahl isn't much of a hoot.
August 21, 2020
This book is packed full of good lessons about kindness and giving back.
Mister Magnolia is a man who is kind to everyone but has nothing for himself, which teaches children that kindness costs nothing. The community then give back to Mister Magnolia by buying him another boot, showing that how you treat others can impact you positively or negatively.
Children have most likely seen a homeless person in the streets before, and this book can help them to realise that even though homeless people have nothing for themselves, they are still human and have feelings even though some precautions should be taken. It would be worthwhile talking to children about being grateful for what we have because we could lose it all one day.
The book portrays Mister Magnolia as a happy and cheerful man despite not having anything for himself, again leading to the discussion that you do not need everything, especially expensive technology, clothes and other material things, in order to be happy.
Finally, it also shows gratitude for the smaller things in life. They gift Mister Magnolia a shoe that doesn’t match his other one, yet he is still happy. A shoe may also not be a very thoughtful gift in some people’s opinions, however it meant a lot to Mister Magnolia. So, the message that small thoughtful gifts are enough to make someone happy would be especially useful at Christmas and birthdays, even more so to children from lower income households that may feel guilty for not being able to afford presents for their friends.
Mister Magnolia is a man who is kind to everyone but has nothing for himself, which teaches children that kindness costs nothing. The community then give back to Mister Magnolia by buying him another boot, showing that how you treat others can impact you positively or negatively.
Children have most likely seen a homeless person in the streets before, and this book can help them to realise that even though homeless people have nothing for themselves, they are still human and have feelings even though some precautions should be taken. It would be worthwhile talking to children about being grateful for what we have because we could lose it all one day.
The book portrays Mister Magnolia as a happy and cheerful man despite not having anything for himself, again leading to the discussion that you do not need everything, especially expensive technology, clothes and other material things, in order to be happy.
Finally, it also shows gratitude for the smaller things in life. They gift Mister Magnolia a shoe that doesn’t match his other one, yet he is still happy. A shoe may also not be a very thoughtful gift in some people’s opinions, however it meant a lot to Mister Magnolia. So, the message that small thoughtful gifts are enough to make someone happy would be especially useful at Christmas and birthdays, even more so to children from lower income households that may feel guilty for not being able to afford presents for their friends.
July 14, 2018
I love the illustrations of Quentin Blake and this book is one of his finest. The rhyming is done cleverly and with repetition, which is fantastic when it comes to little children. However, story wise it leaves a little to be desired. We pretty much learn that he does a lot of fun things without a boot. And he's still 'poor' because of it. Then when he finally gets the boot, he goes to bed?
Not my favourite with regard to story, but the illustrations will keep you coming back again and again.
Not my favourite with regard to story, but the illustrations will keep you coming back again and again.
October 30, 2023
This is a fantastic book with some amazing illustrations. Quentin Blake is probably most well known for his illustrations in Roald Dahl stories but his own book is a definite classic. Mr. Magnolia the title character of the book has only one boot and we follow him through his day with his fantastical family, friends and pets whilst he wears only one boot. We really enjoyed this book. The repetitive rhyming text makes it easy to remember and a pleasure to read.
October 8, 2019
A joyful rhyming story with a great rhythm about Mr Magnolia with only one boot! Reception really enjoyed this during Serial Days and the teacher particularly immersed themselves into generating a Receptive Context - she even dressed up as Mr Magnolia with one boot and rode around the school on a scooter!
September 2, 2017
Poetry and story and opportunity for discussing what else is in the brilliant pictures. Can be read fast or slow. Has warmth and emotion. Happiness and just a little sadness with excitement at the end.
for 5 year olds
for 5 year olds
June 2, 2019
This book would be good for beginning readers. Mr. Magnolia has only one boot. All other text sentences end with a word rhyming with boot. The text is simple and the beautiful illustrations are great at supporting the story.
Read
June 12, 2019Mister Magnolia has a lot of talents and friends, but one day he loses his boot. He sets out to try and find his boot. The story rhymes a lot which can help kids think of other rhyming words and it adds to their vocabulary.
Read
June 15, 2019This is a rhyming book about a man who only has one boot. He tells about what he can see around him, but everything rhymes with boot. He encounters some crazy things, all that sound like boot. By the end of the book, he found another boot for his foot.
March 6, 2017
This book is a about Amazon that did not let me read the book
October 7, 2018
I don't get this all like how do you even read the book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews