Magic

by Armineh Helen Ohanian, Louise Reeves (Illustrator), Elmore Hammes (Design)

Armineh Ohanian published the first edition of The Talking Animals in 2003. The same year she was invited to participate in a reading and book signing event at the SCOPE annual Long Island Family Reading Fun Festival. Her name appears in the BOCES Arts and Education catalogue for visiting authors and artists of Suffolk County schools. Armineh is also the author of Dreaming of America. She lives in Westhampton, NY with her husband and her three "talking cats." The story is about the life and adventures of a black-and-white tuxedo cat called Magic, who is left behind when her family moves to a distant city. Magic is a sweet and friendly cat. She loves her seven-year old friend, Brandon with whom she plays and talks all day. When Magic becomes homeless, she is haunted by fierce raccoons and suffers hardship and starvation. One day when she is about to die, she dreams of a fairy who guides her to her new home. Once again luck smiles on her and she is blessed with loving owners. Magic lives with them happily for three years. Then she dies and goes to heaven. In heaven she is amazed to see how beasts and docile animals live in harmony side by side. Then...

68 pages, Paperback

First published July 25, 2011

Reviews

[Lesley Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a *Goodreads First Read.* I really wanted to like this book. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. The concept was lovely, but it was written as if in a childlike hand. The writing didn't flow and, although it was a good idea, the language in it was a bit stiff. Sorry.
The illustrations were cute and obviously done my a child, which did help the story along and gave it a family feel, as if your own child as done it just for you.
I hate giving a poor review, so I am extremely sorry. Someone else may love it!

[Eric Jolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the five chapters of this book with my five year old daughter over the past week. We enjoyed the book together (I read it to her since there are some tough words within).

The story was a very touching about a cat that loses her boy (my daughter and I talked about consequences for going out in the woods and falling asleep). The cat struggles on her own, without any claws to hunt (please don't declaw your pets) and loses her way, getting very sick. She finds redemption in another kind couple who adopt her...but she is so sick that she never recovers fully, passing away a few years later. The cat, Magic, does help her new owners find Faith... :) My daughter said that Magics' death was sad...but we were able to have some healthy discussion around illness and peace.

The printed book could have used a bit more editing, with some mistaken translations of "his" and "her" that could confuse a young reader. As I said, there are some words her that are tough for a young reader, so a 5 year old needs to read with her parent.

Good book. We recommend...big thumb up from daddy and little thumb up from little girl.

I received this book in a Good Reads First Reads raffle. The opinions here reflect our own true thoughts with no exchange promised for this review.