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Magic Trixie #1
Magic Trixie
Magic Trixie doesn't understand why no one will take her seriously! First, she's not allowed to do anything fun, while her baby sister gets away with everything, and then she needs to come up with a trick that's really special to impress her friends. Luckily Trixie has the best plan ever. . . .
93 pages, Paperback
First published July 22, 2008
3 people are currently reading
279 people want to read
About the author
Jill Thompson
310 books259 followersJill Thompson is an American comic book writer and illustrator. Probably best known for her work on Neil Gaiman's Sandman characters and her own Scary Godmother series, she has also worked on The Invisibles, Swamp Thing, Wonder Woman and more recently, Beasts of Burden.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
April 27, 2012
This one did not charm me. But Trixie’s baby sister having the name Abby Cadabra is enough for an added star. I really enjoyed that name. I guess this would be a good book for kids experiencing sibling rivalry.
But, I kind of hated the artwork and I was mildly amused and touched during a small portion of this story, but overall I didn’t enjoy it. If it hadn’t been such a fast read I wouldn’t have finished it.
For kids who like the art and this type of story, I’m sure it’s a hit.
Except for Peanuts and then Doonesbury, I wasn’t a huge fan of comics until The Far Side. Since then, I’ve read many graphic novels I’ve thoroughly enjoyed, fiction and non-fiction books both that are told via comics, but this wasn’t one of them. I’m disappointed and somewhat surprised that this wasn’t a hit with me. But, I can see recommending this to many middle grade age girls. If I hadn’t had a visceral revulsion to the artwork, I suspect I’d have liked this a lot more.
But, I kind of hated the artwork and I was mildly amused and touched during a small portion of this story, but overall I didn’t enjoy it. If it hadn’t been such a fast read I wouldn’t have finished it.
For kids who like the art and this type of story, I’m sure it’s a hit.
Except for Peanuts and then Doonesbury, I wasn’t a huge fan of comics until The Far Side. Since then, I’ve read many graphic novels I’ve thoroughly enjoyed, fiction and non-fiction books both that are told via comics, but this wasn’t one of them. I’m disappointed and somewhat surprised that this wasn’t a hit with me. But, I can see recommending this to many middle grade age girls. If I hadn’t had a visceral revulsion to the artwork, I suspect I’d have liked this a lot more.
October 24, 2019
A familiar family drama, all dressed up in witchy clothing, Magic Trixie follows its eponymous young heroine as, fed up by the seemingly inordinate amount of attention being paid to her baby sister, Abby Cadabra, and worried that she will have nothing worthwhile to display, during her upcoming turn at show-and-tell, she hatches a harebrained scheme to solve both of her 'problems.' Fortunately, Magic Trixie's classmates have a very different perspective on Abby Cadabra; and her feline companion, never one to fall on his sword for the cause, gives away the plan before anything disastrous can occur...
Without the recommendation of a friend who knows how much I enjoy witchy stories (thanks, Chandra!), I probably wouldn't have picked Magic Trixie up, despite its themes. Something about that cover - too much "bubblegum" pop appeal, perhaps? too brightly colored? - just does not appeal to me. But I gave it a try anyway, and found it quite enjoyable indeed! Nothing in the story - Magic Trixie's jealousy of her baby sister, her concerns about fitting in with her peers, and doing well in school - is particularly fantastic, although the way in which the story plays out (who Magic Trixie and her family and friends are, how she decides to deal with Abby Cadabra) is magical. The artwork is indeed colorful (the cover does not lie!), but the effect, over the course of the story, is actually quite entertaining, rather than irksome. All in all, a sweet little story, perfect for young readers who enjoy witchy stories, and/or graphic novels. I think I may hunt down the sequels!
Without the recommendation of a friend who knows how much I enjoy witchy stories (thanks, Chandra!), I probably wouldn't have picked Magic Trixie up, despite its themes. Something about that cover - too much "bubblegum" pop appeal, perhaps? too brightly colored? - just does not appeal to me. But I gave it a try anyway, and found it quite enjoyable indeed! Nothing in the story - Magic Trixie's jealousy of her baby sister, her concerns about fitting in with her peers, and doing well in school - is particularly fantastic, although the way in which the story plays out (who Magic Trixie and her family and friends are, how she decides to deal with Abby Cadabra) is magical. The artwork is indeed colorful (the cover does not lie!), but the effect, over the course of the story, is actually quite entertaining, rather than irksome. All in all, a sweet little story, perfect for young readers who enjoy witchy stories, and/or graphic novels. I think I may hunt down the sequels!
December 28, 2008
You know how you'll be prepared to dislike something and then, through no fault of your own, you are forced to take a close and in-depth look at the very thing you were trying to avoid? Well there was nothing about the cover or premise of Magic Trixie that initially appealed to me. First off, it was being sold as a graphic novel that would appeal to the Babymouse set. And since I am Babymouse faithful, this was not an appealing notion to me. Then to look at it, the book is colorful. Incredibly colorful. Garishly colorful? It was difficult to say, but I wasn't feeling optimistic. But through one occurrence or another I was sent my own copy of Magic Trixie a book that may well be the first in a series but that works perfectly well as its own stand alone story. To my surprise (heck delight) I found the story strong and the metaphor (oh yeah, I'm gonna talk "metaphors" about nine-year-old graphic novels) consistent. Magic Trixie is one of those comics that sneak up on you. Cleverer than you'd suspect and smarter than the average comic book, this is a story that's going to get itself some fans whether or not it's the Halloween season or not.
Today could probably be called a bad day, from Magic Trixie's point of view. As always, her new baby sister is hogging everyone's attention. Her grandpa beat her down the stairs so she has to eat prune pancakes for breakfast, her dad won't drive her to work, she brought the wrong lunch to school, and now to top it all off next week is show-and-tell week and Trixie doesn't have anything she can do to impress her friends. That is, until she gets a cunning plan. A plan that goes wrong in all the right ways.
I can pinpoint the exact moment when the book won me over. I had been intrigued by the fun choices Thompson had made regarding werewolves in flip-flops and mummies passing notes. But when Trixie's grandmother showed up at school, I was a goner. I have never quite seen a middle grade author completely capture a phenomenon that is more recognizable to kids today than it was in the past. Are any of you familiar with grandparents who dislike the notion of being recognized AS grandparents? The ones who prefer to be called names like "Mimi"? I swear I've never seen this entity so well displayed as Trixie's "Mimi" who is portrayed so perfectly in this book. The green fishnet tights. The leopard print high-heeled boots. The blond hair and serious facial work done over the years. Just blew me away, it did. After she leaves the other kids discuss their own grandparents and another one has "a mimi" that's rather similar to Trixie's (though she prefers to be called "Cookie"). In any case, it wouldn't have worked if Thompson had only gone halfway but since the picture is so over the top the shock of it completely won me over, heart and soul.
The heart and soul of the story is just your basic sibling rivalry tale, which a lot of kids can dig. A mistake made by people doing graphic novels for younger kids is to rest entirely on the belief that the visual elements of the story will be so strong that you won't need a cohesive story to pair alongside it. And if you do have a story, if your tale is set in a magical world then it will have to be some Secrets of Droon-like alternate world without a hook in kids' everyday reality. Magic Trixie, however, is aware that while the characters are capable of magic, grounding everything in a big sister/little sister context is absolutely necessary. Then you can throw in fun elements like albino vampires and Hispanic werewolves and they're just great supplements; not something your entire tale rests on for the sake of quality. Other elements keep it interesting. The baby is never entirely seen until the moment when Trixie, having snuck her into school for nefarious purposes, finds her surprise revealed too early. This is a good idea, though the baby is a surprisingly attractive little cuss. And it's a good city book. Lots of attention to detail is spent on place and setting, though we never really find out what city all this takes place in. It's New Yorkish, certainly, with the school appearing in a kind of Central Park area.
The lettering is by Jason Arthur, sure, but it's based entirely on Jill Thompson's own hand letters. However, I'm not entirely certain who did the inking and the coloring for this book. Is that Thompson too, or was someone entirely uncredited involved in that process? Because the colors really give the book some kick. There is a rule of thumb amongst some publishers that states that kids will not read a comic if it's in black and white. And while I'll agree that a colored Bone reprinted by Graphix is far tastier than its original b&w format, kids have been happily devouring comics, comic books, and online cartoons without a smidgen of interest in color for decades now. And Diary of a Wimpy Kid may sport some magnificent covers, but inside it's a colorless humorous world as far as the eye can see. Still and all, while I'm sure a muted Magic Trixie would have been just as fun, I'm glad indeed that Harper Collins decided to give her a Technicolor kick.
Though she's prone to the occasional "rememborize" and other Junie B. Jones-type purposeful mispronunciations, "Magic Trixie" is not your typical spunky redheaded heroine. Well . . . okay, maybe Trixie herself is, but the book is very much a group effort on the part of the characters. A monster book with a girl heroine, it may make the odd leap across gender lines if people are willing to help it to do so. I would bet that there's many a little boy who'd like to read Magic Trixie and all its vampires, mummies, monsters, and werewolves even if it DOES sport a girl witch and a kitten on its cover. Funny, well-drawn, and original to its core, if you're in need of a new graphic novel for a young child, Magic Trixie is more than the sum of its parts.
Ages 6-10
Today could probably be called a bad day, from Magic Trixie's point of view. As always, her new baby sister is hogging everyone's attention. Her grandpa beat her down the stairs so she has to eat prune pancakes for breakfast, her dad won't drive her to work, she brought the wrong lunch to school, and now to top it all off next week is show-and-tell week and Trixie doesn't have anything she can do to impress her friends. That is, until she gets a cunning plan. A plan that goes wrong in all the right ways.
I can pinpoint the exact moment when the book won me over. I had been intrigued by the fun choices Thompson had made regarding werewolves in flip-flops and mummies passing notes. But when Trixie's grandmother showed up at school, I was a goner. I have never quite seen a middle grade author completely capture a phenomenon that is more recognizable to kids today than it was in the past. Are any of you familiar with grandparents who dislike the notion of being recognized AS grandparents? The ones who prefer to be called names like "Mimi"? I swear I've never seen this entity so well displayed as Trixie's "Mimi" who is portrayed so perfectly in this book. The green fishnet tights. The leopard print high-heeled boots. The blond hair and serious facial work done over the years. Just blew me away, it did. After she leaves the other kids discuss their own grandparents and another one has "a mimi" that's rather similar to Trixie's (though she prefers to be called "Cookie"). In any case, it wouldn't have worked if Thompson had only gone halfway but since the picture is so over the top the shock of it completely won me over, heart and soul.
The heart and soul of the story is just your basic sibling rivalry tale, which a lot of kids can dig. A mistake made by people doing graphic novels for younger kids is to rest entirely on the belief that the visual elements of the story will be so strong that you won't need a cohesive story to pair alongside it. And if you do have a story, if your tale is set in a magical world then it will have to be some Secrets of Droon-like alternate world without a hook in kids' everyday reality. Magic Trixie, however, is aware that while the characters are capable of magic, grounding everything in a big sister/little sister context is absolutely necessary. Then you can throw in fun elements like albino vampires and Hispanic werewolves and they're just great supplements; not something your entire tale rests on for the sake of quality. Other elements keep it interesting. The baby is never entirely seen until the moment when Trixie, having snuck her into school for nefarious purposes, finds her surprise revealed too early. This is a good idea, though the baby is a surprisingly attractive little cuss. And it's a good city book. Lots of attention to detail is spent on place and setting, though we never really find out what city all this takes place in. It's New Yorkish, certainly, with the school appearing in a kind of Central Park area.
The lettering is by Jason Arthur, sure, but it's based entirely on Jill Thompson's own hand letters. However, I'm not entirely certain who did the inking and the coloring for this book. Is that Thompson too, or was someone entirely uncredited involved in that process? Because the colors really give the book some kick. There is a rule of thumb amongst some publishers that states that kids will not read a comic if it's in black and white. And while I'll agree that a colored Bone reprinted by Graphix is far tastier than its original b&w format, kids have been happily devouring comics, comic books, and online cartoons without a smidgen of interest in color for decades now. And Diary of a Wimpy Kid may sport some magnificent covers, but inside it's a colorless humorous world as far as the eye can see. Still and all, while I'm sure a muted Magic Trixie would have been just as fun, I'm glad indeed that Harper Collins decided to give her a Technicolor kick.
Though she's prone to the occasional "rememborize" and other Junie B. Jones-type purposeful mispronunciations, "Magic Trixie" is not your typical spunky redheaded heroine. Well . . . okay, maybe Trixie herself is, but the book is very much a group effort on the part of the characters. A monster book with a girl heroine, it may make the odd leap across gender lines if people are willing to help it to do so. I would bet that there's many a little boy who'd like to read Magic Trixie and all its vampires, mummies, monsters, and werewolves even if it DOES sport a girl witch and a kitten on its cover. Funny, well-drawn, and original to its core, if you're in need of a new graphic novel for a young child, Magic Trixie is more than the sum of its parts.
Ages 6-10
July 12, 2019
I came across this graphic novel at the library as the cover caught my attention. Trixie is a little witch that attends Monstersorri School with a Frankenstein Monster, twin vampires, a werewolf, and a mummy, their teacher is a ghost. Next week, is Show-and-Tell week and Trixie’s day is Friday. She’s told all of her friends that she’s going to bring something different, something that none of them could ever bring! The problem is, Trixie has no idea what that is.
It seems that Trixie’s friends have seen everything that she can do “a million times” already, so when they inform her of this, she gets angry. Yelling at them, she announces that she’s bringing something special yet when she gets home, she whines to her cat, that she has no idea on what to bring.
Her anger and frustration are felt at home then, when she doesn’t get the attention that she desires. Her new baby sister is in the limelight and Trixie isn’t used to sharing the stage. It’s kid drama at its finest. I had to laugh a few times as it’s so typical of children and their siblings. Some of the facial expressions and the comments out of Trixie’s mouth were priceless. Trixie needs to get herself under control by Friday or her Show-and-Tell day will be a disaster.
I loved the illustrations, for being a children’s book, they were full of detail and so colorful. I didn’t find the illustrations of Trixie with her mouth open very attractive and unfortunately, there were a bunch of them inside this graphic novel. I think it’s because she’s missing too many front teeth. The ghost illustrations were fantastic! I liked the story and how Trixie figured things out on her own. There are some harder words in this book (multi-tasking, Jeepers Creepers, cauldron, gentlemen, Velcro) so be aware that your reader might need assistance. I think children will enjoy reading about Trixie.
It seems that Trixie’s friends have seen everything that she can do “a million times” already, so when they inform her of this, she gets angry. Yelling at them, she announces that she’s bringing something special yet when she gets home, she whines to her cat, that she has no idea on what to bring.
Her anger and frustration are felt at home then, when she doesn’t get the attention that she desires. Her new baby sister is in the limelight and Trixie isn’t used to sharing the stage. It’s kid drama at its finest. I had to laugh a few times as it’s so typical of children and their siblings. Some of the facial expressions and the comments out of Trixie’s mouth were priceless. Trixie needs to get herself under control by Friday or her Show-and-Tell day will be a disaster.
I loved the illustrations, for being a children’s book, they were full of detail and so colorful. I didn’t find the illustrations of Trixie with her mouth open very attractive and unfortunately, there were a bunch of them inside this graphic novel. I think it’s because she’s missing too many front teeth. The ghost illustrations were fantastic! I liked the story and how Trixie figured things out on her own. There are some harder words in this book (multi-tasking, Jeepers Creepers, cauldron, gentlemen, Velcro) so be aware that your reader might need assistance. I think children will enjoy reading about Trixie.
October 12, 2024
2023 EDIT: Part of my 2023 clear-up, of books I no longer like, or am no longer interested in, or remember well as standing out, or find as special anymore, or I otherwise will not miss.
Final Score: 3.5/5
Original Review:
An even more junior 'Scary Godmother'. In fact I'm convinced that Magic Trixie is Scary Godmother as a kid. That's my head canon.
'Magic Trixie' is a cute, funny little Halloween comic for children. For fantasy, it deals with real issues at school, and in families; specifically jealousy over a baby sibling. I'm all for little witches in any medium, and this treat quenched my first.
Trixie, she with the frizzy hair, is so fun, moody and boisterous, but caring deep down. I love it. She reminded me of Merida from 'Brave', in a way. Despite her talents and occasional boasting, she struggles coming up with new and creative magic spells. Trixie is not perfect; she makes mistakes, which for a young female protagonist in a kids' story is welcome.
There is also a pet talking black cat (because of course there is, and this one has no discernible gender, kind of like in 'Coraline'), a little werewolf girl, an Egyptian mummy girl, a Frankenstein's monster boy, two vampires, a creepy ghost schoolteacher straight out of a haunted house painting, and relatively ordinary parents for a witch family. Watch out for the grandmother (sorry, I mean Mimi) cameo!
A dollop of sweet, magic fun, greatly drawn as well. Jill Thompson does it again.
Final Score: 3.5/5
Final Score: 3.5/5
Original Review:
An even more junior 'Scary Godmother'. In fact I'm convinced that Magic Trixie is Scary Godmother as a kid. That's my head canon.
'Magic Trixie' is a cute, funny little Halloween comic for children. For fantasy, it deals with real issues at school, and in families; specifically jealousy over a baby sibling. I'm all for little witches in any medium, and this treat quenched my first.
Trixie, she with the frizzy hair, is so fun, moody and boisterous, but caring deep down. I love it. She reminded me of Merida from 'Brave', in a way. Despite her talents and occasional boasting, she struggles coming up with new and creative magic spells. Trixie is not perfect; she makes mistakes, which for a young female protagonist in a kids' story is welcome.
There is also a pet talking black cat (because of course there is, and this one has no discernible gender, kind of like in 'Coraline'), a little werewolf girl, an Egyptian mummy girl, a Frankenstein's monster boy, two vampires, a creepy ghost schoolteacher straight out of a haunted house painting, and relatively ordinary parents for a witch family. Watch out for the grandmother (sorry, I mean Mimi) cameo!
A dollop of sweet, magic fun, greatly drawn as well. Jill Thompson does it again.
Final Score: 3.5/5
November 16, 2013
Title / Author / Publication Date:
Magic Trixie. / Jill Thompson. / 2008.
Genre: Juvenile Graphic Novel - Fantasy.
Format: Book - print. 96 pages.
Plot summary:
"Magic Trixie looks for some special magic to bring in to show-and-tell to impress her friends, but her family keeps telling her that she is too young to use any of their magic, while her baby sister gets away with everything" (NoveList).
Considerations or precautions for readers advisory:
new sibling, show-and-tell, middle school monsters, jealousy, supernatural
Review citation:
"Frantic, silly, and earnest, Trixie is a delightful little witch. Her dead-on expressions will leave all kids laughing in the aisles, quick to share her stories. The playful art and bright colors splashed on the page bring the child and her supernatural friends to life" (Sadie Mattox in School Library Journal).
Section source used to find the material:
Eisner Award Winner 2007
Recommended age: Ages 9 - 12.
Magic Trixie. / Jill Thompson. / 2008.
Genre: Juvenile Graphic Novel - Fantasy.
Format: Book - print. 96 pages.
Plot summary:
"Magic Trixie looks for some special magic to bring in to show-and-tell to impress her friends, but her family keeps telling her that she is too young to use any of their magic, while her baby sister gets away with everything" (NoveList).
Considerations or precautions for readers advisory:
new sibling, show-and-tell, middle school monsters, jealousy, supernatural
Review citation:
"Frantic, silly, and earnest, Trixie is a delightful little witch. Her dead-on expressions will leave all kids laughing in the aisles, quick to share her stories. The playful art and bright colors splashed on the page bring the child and her supernatural friends to life" (Sadie Mattox in School Library Journal).
Section source used to find the material:
Eisner Award Winner 2007
Recommended age: Ages 9 - 12.
November 7, 2025
We read this because we enjoyed Scary Godmother, especially the parts that were allowed to be comics, and because we needed another Halloween read after finishing Garlic and the Witch so quickly. While the illustrations were just as æsethetically pleasing as the Scary Godmother book, and this was also set in a Halloween-themed world, there was a lot less goïng on, just a standard kids’s book in comic form with Halloween trappings. Of course, it was fun to read it with my daughter, so mebbe next Halloween we’ll try the next in the series.
February 21, 2024
I've always liked Jill Thompson's watercolors. I liked the Scary Godmother series, though the writing had pacing problems, and there wasn't much of a market for kids' comics at the time. Now there is a much bigger market for kids' comics and I was excited to see this on the shelf. But it still has pacing problems. Respectfully, Ms. Thompson could use a writing partner.
Trixie (who gets referred to as Magic Trixie too many times) is feeling unnoticed at home since the new baby arrived. At school, she has to do something for show-and-tell. Surprisingly, these intersect somehow.
The art is great, though a little busy at times. The writing isn't terrible, but it could use another draft.
Trixie (who gets referred to as Magic Trixie too many times) is feeling unnoticed at home since the new baby arrived. At school, she has to do something for show-and-tell. Surprisingly, these intersect somehow.
The art is great, though a little busy at times. The writing isn't terrible, but it could use another draft.
May 24, 2019
In this adorable graphic novel, Magic Trixie is annoyed that her family seems to give all of their attention to her baby sister, and worried that her friends all have something super-cool that they are doing at school. Maybe for show-and-tell she can impress her friends by changing her baby sister into something else?
Having a witch and warlock for parents--and vampires, werewolves, mummies, and a pieced-together boy as friends--means that Magic Trixie is always involved in something amazing. The frenetic, happy artwork captures so many details! Magic Trixie is very similar to many 6-to-8-year-old kids. Unique and humorous.
Having a witch and warlock for parents--and vampires, werewolves, mummies, and a pieced-together boy as friends--means that Magic Trixie is always involved in something amazing. The frenetic, happy artwork captures so many details! Magic Trixie is very similar to many 6-to-8-year-old kids. Unique and humorous.
November 9, 2020
Fast and easy read. I understand Magic Trixie's attitude towards her sister. The ending was expected but still good. Overall I still enjoyed reading it. I love the graphics. Im new to reading graphic novels and suprisingly I enjoyed this one. :)
September 7, 2017
Cute beginning graphic novel.
January 11, 2018
Super cute youth graphic novel about a little witch coping with a new sister. Love Trixie’s hair, the art is bright, fun and clever. It’s kind of a monster mash, so could be a fun pre-halloween read.
February 18, 2018
I LOVED this.
April 3, 2018
Cute, great art, but very thin on story. Definitely aimed at the six-year-old audience, who will likely enjoy it, but not much for an older crowd to chew on if you're reading to the tots.
August 14, 2020
Very fun kids book that adults can love.
December 30, 2021
Humor, thrills, and a lesson learned. A fun read any time of the year!
September 27, 2021
Very cute graphic novel. About a witch who has to figure what she is going to bring to show and tell at school. All the while, at home, no one takes her seriously because she’s too young. B+
July 7, 2011
Jill Thompson's comic book introducing none other than the main character of Magic Trixie, a spunky little witch and her cat Scratch, as they dance through life with friends at family. Magic Trixie belongs to a family of witches, running a restaurant called Elixer, which is in the first floor of her house. She goes to "Monsterstorri" School with her fellow monster classmates. It is an absolutely darling story with such inventive characters, a treasure in the graphic novels to read aloud and share and read again with more attention paid to the clever artwork.
Trixie is days away from Show-and-Tell and she cannot figure out just what she should bring to impress her classmates. Her family is too busy with the restaurant and her new baby sister, Abby-Cadabra, to help her find a good solution to her problem. They tell her she is too young to bring magic tricks to school. Magic Trixie gets into a little trouble trying to make up her mind, but things work out for the best in the end!
Themes:
Jealousy, new baby syndrome, maturity, sharing.
Trixie is days away from Show-and-Tell and she cannot figure out just what she should bring to impress her classmates. Her family is too busy with the restaurant and her new baby sister, Abby-Cadabra, to help her find a good solution to her problem. They tell her she is too young to bring magic tricks to school. Magic Trixie gets into a little trouble trying to make up her mind, but things work out for the best in the end!
Themes:
Jealousy, new baby syndrome, maturity, sharing.
July 3, 2010
Every. Single. Page. of this children's graphic novel is filled with full color reproductions of Jill Thompson's watercolor illustrations. Holy Gosh are they gorgeous. And the story is light and cute--in a city somewhat resembling New York or Chicago but with monster denizens and other cute/creepy touches, Magic Trixie and her family live above their cafe. I would guess that Magic Trixie is maybe 6 or 7 years old. She's very excitable and wants nothing more than to learn more magic and impress her friends: Stitch Patch, Loupie Garou, the vampire twins, and Nefi. But her annoying baby sister gets all the attention.
I loved Dorrie the Witch when I was growing up and this takes the modern-day crown that Dorrie's absence left behind. Which reminds me that I need to start collecting Dorie books.
I loved Dorrie the Witch when I was growing up and this takes the modern-day crown that Dorrie's absence left behind. Which reminds me that I need to start collecting Dorie books.
October 30, 2010
Magic Trixie is a little witch who has growing pains just like all kids. At home, she's frustrated that she can't do anything fun, while her baby sister gets away with everything. And then at school, all her friends seem to have the coolest tricks to share. So when her teacher tells them it's share and tell day, Magic Trixie knows she has to find a really special trick to impress all her friends.
Magic Trixie is bursting with color, action and emotion. The illustrations are bright and energetic, full of details that make you laugh. The text is simple enough to be read independently by a 3rd grader, so it will appeal to kids who have moved beyond the Babymouse books. Best of all, while the stories are definitely full of magic and fantasy, they're grounded in kids' every day experiences: friendships, family life, and struggles all kids go through.
Magic Trixie is bursting with color, action and emotion. The illustrations are bright and energetic, full of details that make you laugh. The text is simple enough to be read independently by a 3rd grader, so it will appeal to kids who have moved beyond the Babymouse books. Best of all, while the stories are definitely full of magic and fantasy, they're grounded in kids' every day experiences: friendships, family life, and struggles all kids go through.
December 8, 2011
As a long-time fan of
and all things magical from a very young age, I would have flipped my lid had this series been around when I was in elementary school. As it is, I still might need to own them all...soon.
I love the hipster elements of Trixie's family: Dad has long black hair and a goatee, Grandma wears chic chunky black glasses and chunky green jewelry, and older cousin Tansy has hip purple pigtails. It's all very 1950's meets punk rock. Colorful! (I think Jill Thompson might secretly look at the dream world in my head...)
Anyway, Loved it!
and all things magical from a very young age, I would have flipped my lid had this series been around when I was in elementary school. As it is, I still might need to own them all...soon. I love the hipster elements of Trixie's family: Dad has long black hair and a goatee, Grandma wears chic chunky black glasses and chunky green jewelry, and older cousin Tansy has hip purple pigtails. It's all very 1950's meets punk rock. Colorful! (I think Jill Thompson might secretly look at the dream world in my head...)
Anyway, Loved it!
June 2, 2012
Oh, Magic Trixie... What to say about Magic Trixie? My niece liked this book, and said it was just as good as Chi's Sweet Home, and I will admit that it's a fun, unique, cute, often humorous story. I really thought that the illustrations in this one were rather fabulous, too.
While I liked this story, I don't think I really liked Trixie herself all that much. She was annoying, and a little bit of a trouble maker, I thought. Or maybe she was just a spastic little (witch) girl, not unlike some little (niece) girls I know, and I need to remember that this book was not written with me as its intended audience.
While I liked this story, I don't think I really liked Trixie herself all that much. She was annoying, and a little bit of a trouble maker, I thought. Or maybe she was just a spastic little (witch) girl, not unlike some little (niece) girls I know, and I need to remember that this book was not written with me as its intended audience.
December 30, 2016
What the book’s about:
Magic Trixie’s no-good very bad week. Her baby sister gets all the attention in the family. Worse, she’s the reason Magic Trixie didn’t get to eat her favorite cloudberry pancakes. With her turn for show and tell coming up at the end of the week, Magic Trixie decides to solve two problems at once — she’ll wow her classmates by making her baby sister disappear for good.
Why The Nine-Year-Old thinks you’ll like it:
“This is a good book series. I’m grouchy that I can’t find the next book in any library other than my school library because their copies are always checked out.”
Review originally posted on my blog Caterpickles in December 2016.
Magic Trixie’s no-good very bad week. Her baby sister gets all the attention in the family. Worse, she’s the reason Magic Trixie didn’t get to eat her favorite cloudberry pancakes. With her turn for show and tell coming up at the end of the week, Magic Trixie decides to solve two problems at once — she’ll wow her classmates by making her baby sister disappear for good.
Why The Nine-Year-Old thinks you’ll like it:
“This is a good book series. I’m grouchy that I can’t find the next book in any library other than my school library because their copies are always checked out.”
Review originally posted on my blog Caterpickles in December 2016.
May 30, 2009
Given how many hundreds of pages of comics Thompson has already produced featuring a frizzy-haired witch and various supernatural characters, I didn't think she would have too much new to say in this newer series about a little witch going to monster school.
Oh how wrong I was.
Thompson fills the book with one inventive character after another, and perhaps because of the younger audience it's created for, the narrative is much more tightly focused and effective than her Scary Godmother stuff.
Her artwork seems a bit looser here in terms of design, but is much more lushly illustrated than a great deal of her comics work.
Oh how wrong I was.
Thompson fills the book with one inventive character after another, and perhaps because of the younger audience it's created for, the narrative is much more tightly focused and effective than her Scary Godmother stuff.
Her artwork seems a bit looser here in terms of design, but is much more lushly illustrated than a great deal of her comics work.
July 17, 2023
We heart the Magic Trixie series! We read them with my son really young, maybe starting when he was three? This is another set I'd buy even if I did not live with a child.
Magic Trixie's world is full of spells, adventure, and not-too-spooky monster stuff. Plus, grownups who love Trixie even when she's made a bad decision. The first and third books deal with "I have a baby sister" drama, so I don't always bust them out as recs for families with multiple kids if I don't know their kids' rivalry/jealousy dynamics. The second one, Magic Trixie Sleeps Over, is great for Halloween. Which we observe all year at our house. Jill Thompson is the best.
Magic Trixie's world is full of spells, adventure, and not-too-spooky monster stuff. Plus, grownups who love Trixie even when she's made a bad decision. The first and third books deal with "I have a baby sister" drama, so I don't always bust them out as recs for families with multiple kids if I don't know their kids' rivalry/jealousy dynamics. The second one, Magic Trixie Sleeps Over, is great for Halloween. Which we observe all year at our house. Jill Thompson is the best.
March 22, 2012
This is an irreverent take on a preteen witch's day, filled with magic and monster friends. Perfect for the preteen set, this book depicts Trixie in common everyday settings, eating meals with her family, getting to school, doing chores, but all with a magical twist. The illustrations are colorful and detailed (loved the sign for Monsterssori School) and the dialogue is fairly sparse, allowing the pictures to tell much of the story.
Our girls read this very quickly and really enjoyed it. I enjoy reading the same books they do and thought it was a fun, fast read, too.
Our girls read this very quickly and really enjoyed it. I enjoy reading the same books they do and thought it was a fun, fast read, too.
January 13, 2016
Too many brats, too stereotypical monsters, too silly names and too short.
Yes, too short, I'd have loved to read more. Despite my annoyance in the characters it's still a beautiful short story and everyone's who's got younger siblings knows the feeling when they can do whatever they want as that's different. You on the other hand, as an older and more responsible brother or sister should know better...
Lots of envy, frustration and love. And of course there's the wonderful art by Jill Thompson!
Yes, too short, I'd have loved to read more. Despite my annoyance in the characters it's still a beautiful short story and everyone's who's got younger siblings knows the feeling when they can do whatever they want as that's different. You on the other hand, as an older and more responsible brother or sister should know better...
Lots of envy, frustration and love. And of course there's the wonderful art by Jill Thompson!
March 15, 2016
Graphic Novel about a little girl who is a witch and goes to school with a couple of vampires, a werewolf, a mummy etc. She has to come up with a really great thing to bring to show and tell and she decides she is going to make her baby sister disappear (because she doesn't like her very much). It turns out everyone is impressed by the fact that she has a baby sister, and in the end she turns out enjoying the time she spends with her. I enjoyed this book appropriate for students in grades 3 through 5.
March 18, 2016
Graphic Novel about a little girl who is a witch and goes to school with a couple of vampires, a werewolf, a mummy etc. She has to come up with a really great thing to bring to show and tell and she decides she is going to make her baby sister disappear (because she doesn't like her very much). It turns out everyone is impressed by the fact that she has a baby sister, and in the end she turns out enjoying the time she spends with her. I enjoyed this book appropriate for students in grades 3 through 5.
October 15, 2008
Trixie is your typical big sister agonizing over the loss of attention since losing her "only child" status.
Well, she's not that typical, she's a pink-haired witch that lives in a cafe with her family and a cat named Scratches.... and she goes to "Monstersorri" School. Her best friend Stich is a mini Frankenstein (and he wears sandals)..
she also goes to school with a super cute Mummy named Nefi and a "catty" Werewolf.
Well, she's not that typical, she's a pink-haired witch that lives in a cafe with her family and a cat named Scratches.... and she goes to "Monstersorri" School. Her best friend Stich is a mini Frankenstein (and he wears sandals)..
she also goes to school with a super cute Mummy named Nefi and a "catty" Werewolf.
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