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Magic in the Mist
In a little hut by the sea in Wales, Thomas studies to become a wizard but fails dismally until one day the wind stops and a tiny dragon appears
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
32 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 1975
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
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December 9, 2020For all those wondering no this wasn’t copying Harry Potter. In fact if you did any research what so ever you would know this book was published in 1975, while Harry Potter was written and published 1998. So if someone was copying someone it would’ve been jk Rowling. This book is much older. Please get your facts right
July 20, 2022
Hyman's art is def. the highlight of this book. My eyes are getting too old to fully appreciate her work in every style and medium, but here I just love all the homey details of the cottage and the bog in Wales. The text, the fable, well, it's charming... but I think there's more going on than I'm picking up on.
If you want to see for yourself, check it out on openlibrary.org.
If you want to see for yourself, check it out on openlibrary.org.
September 7, 2016
Nice drawing by Hyman. The boy Thomas, who is studying to be a wizard, looks remarkably like Harry Potter. The story was fine, but a little underdeveloped, especially at the end.
February 23, 2010
I have bought this book only, because I love Trinas illustrations. It has lovely black-and-white and very intricate pictures (rating *****)and entertaining story, that is something different and therefore not boring. The only regret is the name of the toad - Jeremy, like in Beatrix Potter book, and when you translate the book into czech language, you have Thomas = Tomáš, Jeremy = Jeremiáš, and that is a bit silly. Nevertheless, highly recommended book even for the Czechs.
December 18, 2021
‘This book copied Harry Potter’
No. Shut up. This book came out in 1975-1976? Harry Potter was written and published like 20 years later.
Anyways it does remind me of Harry a little bit but only if he lived with Hagrid.
No. Shut up. This book came out in 1975-1976? Harry Potter was written and published like 20 years later.
Anyways it does remind me of Harry a little bit but only if he lived with Hagrid.
February 24, 2022
Wild and cozy at the same time.
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February 18, 2021I wish I had had the chance to read this when I was a child. It is slightly odd, transient, and of course magical but also a little melancholy. I imagine this would have been a highly potent nostalgia trip. I love the fact it's set in Wales and uses some of the country's folklore of wizards and dragons.
I honestly admire the fact the story "goes nowhere". It felt deliberately understated to me. It is true that not much changes in the narrative from the beginning to the end. Thomas's magic doesn't actually improve, but he is still in a relatively better situation than he was at the start. Although, he is still in the same place, doing essentially the same thing. I thought that was so interesting for a children's book. I really think it deserves some analysis because of that.
Typically in most fiction there's an artificial arc or shape to narratives. And children's stories especially rarely replicate real life, as real life of course doesn't have a shape to it. But this story has no artificial arc, any changes that happen in this story are tender and subtle. I've seen people comment that the ending is "weak" because of this. I am fascinated as to why the author chose to write a story that is so subtle. On researching the author a little I discovered Margaret Mary Kimmel was a professor at the University of Pittsburgh who taught children's literature courses. Therefore, I don't believe this is a result of poor writing or lack of knowledge on how to structure a plot.
I think this book challenges children (and adults) to think about stories, characters and endings. And I don't remember most children's literature doing that. The narrative doesn't give answers, it doesn't feel "complete". But I think it's intended to stick with you. The titular "mist" is a complete enigma in the story, the magic is unexplained and mysterious. This sense of mystery also achieved by the beautiful illustrations by Trina Shart Hyman as well as the descriptive, evocative language: "Drops of rain hung in the air as if falling to the ground would break the expected stillness". The story and it's purpose is difficult to understand, this enigmatic charm makes it stand out as a work of children's literature.
In an obituary for Kimmel, some quotes from interviews with her were inserted. I think this one illuminates a little about 'Magic in the Mist' and Kimmel's perspective on children's literature:
“From my vantage point as an educator, the need for people who are concerned about how children acquire knowledge, about reading, about books, about listening and life, about information in whatever form it takes – the need for us in the society – is more than it’s ever been before. I think that we need to work with all of those other adults who are concerned. I see our contribution as being unique in that … but I see us as keepers of the story in the same way that storytellers are keepers of tradition.”
Welsh Folklore
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/craf...
Margaret Mary Kimmel's Obituary
https://www.utimes.pitt.edu/archives/...
I honestly admire the fact the story "goes nowhere". It felt deliberately understated to me. It is true that not much changes in the narrative from the beginning to the end. Thomas's magic doesn't actually improve, but he is still in a relatively better situation than he was at the start. Although, he is still in the same place, doing essentially the same thing. I thought that was so interesting for a children's book. I really think it deserves some analysis because of that.
Typically in most fiction there's an artificial arc or shape to narratives. And children's stories especially rarely replicate real life, as real life of course doesn't have a shape to it. But this story has no artificial arc, any changes that happen in this story are tender and subtle. I've seen people comment that the ending is "weak" because of this. I am fascinated as to why the author chose to write a story that is so subtle. On researching the author a little I discovered Margaret Mary Kimmel was a professor at the University of Pittsburgh who taught children's literature courses. Therefore, I don't believe this is a result of poor writing or lack of knowledge on how to structure a plot.
I think this book challenges children (and adults) to think about stories, characters and endings. And I don't remember most children's literature doing that. The narrative doesn't give answers, it doesn't feel "complete". But I think it's intended to stick with you. The titular "mist" is a complete enigma in the story, the magic is unexplained and mysterious. This sense of mystery also achieved by the beautiful illustrations by Trina Shart Hyman as well as the descriptive, evocative language: "Drops of rain hung in the air as if falling to the ground would break the expected stillness". The story and it's purpose is difficult to understand, this enigmatic charm makes it stand out as a work of children's literature.
In an obituary for Kimmel, some quotes from interviews with her were inserted. I think this one illuminates a little about 'Magic in the Mist' and Kimmel's perspective on children's literature:
“From my vantage point as an educator, the need for people who are concerned about how children acquire knowledge, about reading, about books, about listening and life, about information in whatever form it takes – the need for us in the society – is more than it’s ever been before. I think that we need to work with all of those other adults who are concerned. I see our contribution as being unique in that … but I see us as keepers of the story in the same way that storytellers are keepers of tradition.”
Welsh Folklore
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/craf...
Margaret Mary Kimmel's Obituary
https://www.utimes.pitt.edu/archives/...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2023
A favorite from my childhood about a boy named Thomas who lives in a cozy cottage in Wales, studying magic with his pet toad Jeremy. One misty day he happens upon a baby dragon and his life changes. The illustrations are not colored but just a simple sepia tone and this will remind you of a cross between the cozy hobbit holes of Lord of the Rings, meets some of the more mundane parts of Harry Potter.
January 3, 2021
Una historia muy cortita, quien dice que JK se baso en este cuento para crear Harry Potter, pues no se aparte de que la ilustración del chico se da un aire a Harry Potter no veo más similitudes.
December 30, 2022
made me cry
October 4, 2024
Beautiful pencil illustration!
November 18, 2015
A sort of illustrated short story, that doesn't exactly go much of anywhere, still a slight, charming tale notable mostly for the illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman. (Though I think the toad interaction might, might, be related to a certain scene in Susan Dexter's Allaire series, now that I come to think of it-- there's definitely a comparision between the cottage of this half-competent wizard and that of Dexter's hero.) One wonders exactly how Kimmel's hero survives and supports himself in this cottage, but probably he grows a few vegetables and gathers enough food and firing from the wood to get through the winter.
But the illustrations! Not only was Hyman excellent here, but it's worth the finding the book just to be struck dumb by the Hyman captured a certain later fictional character to a T and you can't help being charmed. Also the dragon, and if you're me, there's the cottage background that makes you want to move in, just as in nearly every Hyman illustration.
But the illustrations! Not only was Hyman excellent here, but it's worth the finding the book just to be struck dumb by the Hyman captured a certain later fictional character to a T and you can't help being charmed. Also the dragon, and if you're me, there's the cottage background that makes you want to move in, just as in nearly every Hyman illustration.
April 30, 2017
Illustrated beautifully by my favorite, Trina Schart Hyman!
September 4, 2014
Loved the illustrations, the story was interesting, but spare.
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