The Magic Word

by Mac Barnett, Elise Parsley (Illustrations)

A hilarious take on what a magic word really is from Mac Barnett, the award-winning, bestselling author of Sam and Dave Dig a Hole and Extra Yarn, and Elise Parsley, the bestselling author/illustrator of If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don't! and If You Ever Want to Bring a Piano to the Beach, Don't!

When Paxton C. Heymeyer’s babysitter tells him to say the magic word, she could never have imagined that what would happen next would be a walrus chasing her, an elephant in the living room playing cards, and a full water park and moat in the front yard. And that’s just the beginning…

Genres: Picture Books, Humor, Magic, Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction, Family

40 pages, Hardcover

First published October 4, 2016

About the author

Born to non-farmers in a California farming community, Mac Barnett now lives near San Francisco. He's on the board of directors of 826LA, a nonprofit writing center for students in Los Angeles, and he founded the Echo Park Time Travel Mart, a convenience store for time travelers.

Reviews

[The Library Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny enough. The plot line is pretty predictable, but I like that the final bit allows for a little bit of unrepentant glee.
Oh, and Paxton? If you can still use that magic word, could I borrow it and transport the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and all his court to Mars? PLEASE?

[Cara · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are pretty awesome, but I'm not really into the message that this book is sending. I know that we don't always read for a message, but telling a kid that he can have anything he wants with no consequences and he doesn't really learn a lesson seems like a bad idea. Maybe that's just me.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hilarious story of a spoiled brat getting everything he wants, perfectly illustrated by Parsley—until the point of reckoning, when what should be “the magic word” loses all of its power and forgiveness becomes a meaningless concept.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty fun, but I'm not sure I like the ending...

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kids will LOVE this rambunctious take on the "magic word."

[Kelly Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I officially can never name any future children Paxton. Not a fan of this character at all.

[Kara Garcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

1. The book we are going to read today is The Magic Word by Mac Barnett. What is a “magic word”? Do any of you know any “magic words” to make things happen? In this story, the main character, Paxton C. Heymeyer, finds a magic word to make what he wants to happen. Instead of “abracadabra”, though, his magic word is “alakazoomba”.
Let’s take a quick look at some of the illustrations without reading the words. Look how the illustrator shows what Paxton’s wishes are. How can we, as the readers, tell that Paxton has wished or used his magic word without even reading? [There are blue sparkles] Also, as we read, pay attention to how the illustrator shows the characters’ emotions, and makes the characters’ facial expressions add even more understanding to the text.

2. *Tell the meaning of a key word
*Draw attention to the writer’s or illustrator’s craft

*Copyright 2016
*Missouri Show Me Book Award Nominee 2018-2019
*Iowa Goldfinch Book Award Nominee 2019-2020
*Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award Nominee 2018

[Amanda Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am reading this one aloud to my students as it's one of the Washington Children's Choice Picture Book nominees. It is also serving to talk about our book selection skills. First I show them the cover and we talk about the title and how we know the author and illustrator (I can use information about an author or illustrator to select a book). Our school loves Mac Barnett and Elise Parsley - so we will probably like this book too. Unless it's really about the magic word. I mean really - do our students need another book that teaches to be polite? So then we look at the back of the book and there is the magic word, Alakazoomba. It's not please! Did you think this book would be about saying please?

The magic really starts when Paxton transforms the house. The wow factor from the students leads me to think this book will get the gold sticker of approval. Teachers will like the book for the meaningful apology lesson, but the ending might feel inappropriate to them. The kids laugh, but it gives us a chance to ask, "does everyone really deserve an apology? Is it possible that some people are unforgivable?"
11/22 I had to reread this to some of my students who I think were pretending that they didn't remember it so I would read it again.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mac Barnett imagination and humor. School-age will like it. Pictures go along very well with it. A fun lap-read and read-alone. Could make it work in preschool storytime. Will the adults be ok that I read that ending to their children....?

7/13/17 Used at an Outreach storytime (American Diabetes Association Utah Day Camp with a Magic theme). They were K-3rd age. The perfect crowd for this. Most of them have had baby-sitters, so they laughed a lot at the baby-sitter's fate. One kid seemed confused that his using the word didn't make her forgive him. Guess he missed that lesson!

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a pretty hilarious story - with great illustrations. That said, I'm not sure the ending drives home the lesson the author was necessarily going for? I liked that Paxton genuinely felt bad and apologized, but a couple people soundly rejected said apology, and so it just kind of circled back around. I dunno.

(Still a hilarious idea for a book, though!)

[Breanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ask any parent, "What is the magic word?"

It's "please"! PLEASE!

But not in this book, instead this boy uses 'magic' to turn his family and friends into walruses. I'm not opposed to silliness but I like books with a "message" and 'when you get mad at people you can just get rid of them' isn't a very positive message.

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not on par with the author's other works. Something was off about the book design and what could have been a great plot fell flat and felt mean. Ages 5-7.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little boy is tired of being asked to say "the magic word," so in one moment of defiance he says a made up word and accidentally stumbles on a truly magical word that grants him his every wish. He no longer needs to ask nicely for cookies, they will appear at his word. He no longer needs to listen to the babysitter or his parents, his magically summoned walruses take care of them, and he doesn't have to deal with friends who don't always agree with him, walruses take care of them too. But it turns out having everything you could wish for can be a bit lonely and not happy.

I liked the imagination of this book and that the boy eventually learns his lesson (though the babysitter gets chased off a second time after all the others are brought back...some may not like that...though you could argue that he needs a new babysitter anyway, one who is a little more creative and able to out-think him). Parsley was a genius choice to illustrate this. She nails facial expressions and the imagination of a boy.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hilarious take on what a magic word really is from Mac Barnett, the award-winning, bestselling author of Sam and Dave Dig a Hole and Extra Yarn, and Elise Parsley, the bestselling author/illustrator of If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don't! and If You Ever Want to Bring a Piano to the Beach, Don't!

When Paxton C. Heymeyer’s babysitter tells him to say the magic word, she could never have imagined that what would happen next would be a walrus chasing her, an elephant in the living room playing cards, and a full water park and moat in the front yard. And that’s just the beginning…

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really enjoying this book, but the ending just spoiled it for me. Yes, the boy begins to be a bit repentant, but not really. The last page shows that he hasn't actually learned anything. That's sad because the rest of the story is so fun and the illustrations are fantastic. I'm on the fence about whether I'll use this one in preschool story time or not. And, if I do, will I read the last page or figure out a way to have the children decide the ending?? Hmmm. I just can't recommend this one at this point. If I end up using it I'll come back and edit my review.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soon as I saw the endpaper at the front of this book, I could tell I was in for a treat.

Lighthearted, playful images, right sized for the youngest of children, and bringing a feeling of happiness to those of us who are way, way over this book's recommended ages of 4-8: This picture is a looker.

Definitely improbable, I'll admit, is the magic word that Paxton C. Heymeyer randomly stumbled upon. Regardless, this is one way, way entertaining read.

FIVE STARS to author Mac Barnett and illustrator Elise Parsley.

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

One night while being babysat, Paxton discovers "the magic word". At first he enjoys his unlimited power and ability to get whatever he wants but he soon discovers there are things that people do better than minions.

Glad Paxton learns his lesson, cause he's pretty horrible at the beginning, but the illustrations are fun throughout! Also, one could make the argument that it turns out the magic word wasn't "alakazoomba" or "please" but "sorry".

No content issues.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paxton Heymeyer just wants a cookie. But when the babysitter asks him for the magic word, he discovers Alakazoomba! Suddenly, he has walruses to chase away the babysitter. He has a water slide in the middle of the house. When his parents come home and try to ground him, Alakazoomba! When Rosie comes over to play and insults him, Alakazoomba! But after awhile, Paxton discovers it’s rather lonely. Can he Alakazoomba everyone back?

My students loved this one.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all think of the "magic word" as please and so does Paxton. But he decides to try something different one day and discovers another "magic word." Suddenly he is able to have everything he wants, or so he thinks it's everything he wants. Paxton finds out that having everything with no one to share it with isn't having everything. But, he remembers the magic word for the future, just in case.

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was so much going for this book. Mac Barnett is a genius at words. The illustrator is one I enjoy (she does 'If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, DON'T!"). I thought there was going to be learning about the world "please" after our main character gets his way with everything.

Instead no. Spoiler....the boy is a brat. And stays that way. And really doesn't learn anything in the end. Boo

[Shark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a whimsical book about Paxton C. Heymeyer, who gets sick of people always asking him, "What's the magic word?" He discovers an alternative magic word, builds a kid's paradise, and along the way realizes that the best part of life is actually sharing it with the people he loves--not having a robot chef who can always make you cookies.

Preschoolerss reviews:

"I loved the whole book, everything about it. It was funny and interesting. That's kind of it."

"I just liked Paxton."

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little boy discovers the magic word is not "please" as so often suggested. Instead his magic word give him the ability to make all his wishes come true. But as is often the case in these things, all the wishes in the world don't mean anything if you don't have people around that you love.

Illustrations are great!

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paxton's babysitter tells him to use the "magic word" so he invents one on the spot. It works. He then proceeds to create a world for himself and drive away everyone who tells him no.He discovers how lonely/boring it can be when you get anything you want. Paxton works to bring things back to normal... well, almost.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes it is irritating when someone tells you to use the please and thank you words. "The magic word." How many times have you been asked to use it and then be denied what you asked for? The words aren't really magic, they are just words to add politeness to your request or approval of a request. But, real magic that works every time. That can be fun. At least for a while.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I initially thought this book would be about the word please, but instead, it is about a real magic word, Alakazoomba, and a little boy who creatively imagines a perfect world for himself. Though it is not always perfect to get everything that you wish for. ;)
The kids and I enjoyed this word, Alakazoomba. It's very fun to say.

[Mira Domsky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Usually I LOVE Mac Barnett books. This one was cute and funny, but not quite as clever as I've come to expect from him. A little boy named Paxton discovers a magic word that will give him anything he wants. But eventually, having everything you want isn't all it's cracked up to be.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

For Paxton, the magic word isn't "please", it's Alakazoomba! His evening with a babysitter takes a crazy twist when he discovers this. He begins to create his dream world, but discovers it is a lonely place.
Big, bright, fun.

[Mia Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a very cute and attention drawing book. The pictures all stand out very well and would attract a kid to the cover of this book. The story is really cute too, although it does not have a lesson involved. It involves imagination.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book a while back, but just now remembered to post about it. It was good and I liked it. It is perfect for the kid with a big imagination or for the kid that really doesn't like his/her babysitter. (Ha!) You will only get that last line if you read the book. ;)

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just read it to 4 boys, ages 7, 6, 4, 2. They laughed a lot. I agree that it is really funny, and I would have loved it had it not been for how it ended. Some reviewers enjoyed the unrepentant glee. It was a spoiler for me. Thoroughly enjoyed the rest, though.