Three Magic Balls

by Richard Egielski

When Uncle Dinkleschmidt buys three rubber balls for his toy store, it's up to Rudy to take very good care of them. But as soon as he is left alone in the shop, Rudy discovers that these are no ordinary balls, and that's when the magic begins. . .

Genres: Picture Books, Fantasy

40 pages, Library Binding

First published August 28, 2000

About the author

Richard Egielski is an American illustrator and writer who has worked on more than fifty children's picture books, eight of which he authored. He received his education at Parson's School of Design.

Egielski's collaboration with Arthur Yorinks resulted in nine picture books, including Hey, Al, which was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1987. He is also known for his illustrations in The Tub People series by Pam Conrad.

The New York Times named Buz, a book he wrote and illustrated in 1995, one of the top ten best children's books of the year for its illustrations. Jazper, which he illustrated, was also recognized as a New York Times Best Illustrated Book in 1998.

Reviews

[Carolynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Award winning illustrator Richard Egielski (Caldecott Award for _Hey, Al_; Parents' Choice Picture Book Award, 1985, for _Amy's Eyes_, and 1989, for _The Tub People, among others, now turns his hand to the enchanted Toys Genre, like Rumer Godden's _The Story of Holly and Ivy_, among others. Rudy is working in a toy shop when an elderly lady brings in three small balls. As soon as Mr. Dinkleschmidt, the proprietor of the toy shop, is gone, the balls take on a life of their own. Rudy is barely able to contain them before Mr. D. returns! Egielski's delightful paintings elaborate upon the fanciful story.

[Linden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Egielski offers us a sure-fire story for six-year-olds who are tempted to disregard instructions. While his Uncle Dinkleschmidt is away, Rudy takes out the three rubber balls Uncle D has just purchased. Who knew that there was magic in them? Who knew that chaos was just a bounce away?

A perfect marriage of graphic style and imaginative story and a very satisfying ending. Once I've read it, this picture book gets borrowed again too quickly to be back on the shelf for many weeks.

Genres: Adventure, fantasy

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young boy who works after school in a toy shop comes across a set of three balls with faces painted on them. He bounces them out of their glass box and each ball grows into a round man. All four go off on an adventure that involves saving an airplane from crashing.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very strange, but entertaining story about magic balls that are dropped off at a toy store because the previous owner couldn't handle them anymore. Rudy, left on his own at his uncle's store ends up having quite an adventure with the three Humpty-Dumpty-looking creatures. The illustrations are colorful and slightly odd, and they really help to tell the story.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book because balls (big balls, not small balls, big balls), but they were small balls. They talk!

[Nichole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and fun. Classic "kid has an adventure the adults don't know about" style story.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Groovy illustrations, nice magical element. A fave of both the 2.5 and 5.5 year old.