The Magic Carousel

by Dorothy Levenson, Ati Forberg (Illustrator)

What begins as an ordinary ride on a carousel turns out to be an afternoon of magic for Dana and Lisa. Their two black horses suddenly leap off the Central Park carousel and carry them away through the streets of New York City made beautiful by Christmas decorations.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy, Christmas, Adventure

36 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1967

Reviews

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book when I was a child and wish I still had it. This book gets better the more you read it. The illustrations are phenomenal. The book works on a few levels for kids and for the adults reading for the kids.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did you ever want to go on a carousel ride and be (literally) swept away by the horses?
Akin to Mary Poppins, and pre-dating it, Dorothy Levenson, gives us a story of two little girls' whose carousel ride takes them from Central Park to the sites of the holidays in New York.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jenna found this one in a Free Little Library. Cute, magical story 🙂

[AquaMoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

childhood favorite I just found again. Just as gorgeous as I remember!

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous book! The Magic Carousel (1967) by Dorothy Levenson and illustrated by Ati Forberg is about a father who takes his two daughters to a carousel in the middle of the park on a winter's day. When the girls start going around and around the carousel the horses they're riding leap off and gallop around the city. Around the zoo and ice skating rink and down the avenue past the toy story and Christmas tree and to Washington Square and back again. It's a beautiful story and did I mention gorgeously illustrated? I loved the entire thing and is not only a great story about imagination, but about New York City, and works for the Christmas season as well. Won't be selling this find for a long time. Very unique pictures and I just wanted to read the book again after it was over. There's nothing like NYC in the winter at Christmas. Can't believe this book didn't win a Caldecott. The art is gorgeous! My rating - 5/5

[Shazza Maddog · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful little children's book about two girls who are taken to the park by their father to ride the carousel. But the carousel isn't quite normal - their horses are magic and take them on a trip through town.

Very sweet with delightful art.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 1967 children's picture book is a gem. The story is fantastical, and lively written by Levenson, with very true insight. Forberg's illustrations are beautiful. A wonderful story no matter the age.

[Lana Kamennof-sine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tribute to the wonders of a creative mind. The carousel in question is the one in Central Park New York city. (Manhattan) I'd love to think that if I were riding one of the horses I'd be able to experience what these two girls did.

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good quick and charming story to read to children around Christmas time.

[Petergiaquinta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Childhood book

[Megan Q. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute short children's book.

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like books better that stick to reality and tell a good story

[Paula]

A childhood favorite, often read to me by my wonderful babysitter, Karen Hornung! <3