Out of puns, misunderstandings, and deep allusions, Eager twisted a total of seven witty, rompy, madcap-mishappy books called collectively the Tales of Magic. Carrie’s talk is both disturbing and delightful, the hallmark of a writer dancing through the eternal battle between moral lessons of discipline (perhaps the children’s literature scorned by weary souls) vs. A half-articulate cat would speak like Caliban, cursing her enchanter. It turns out that the talisman grants only half a wish at a time - a lesson hard learned as the four children in the book watch half a house fire and see a neighbor’s iron Scottie dog come half alive.

No one could be more surprised when Carrie the cat stops meowing and starts making half-recognizable sounds, but somehow the result makes perfect sense: This is how a cat would speak, or almost speak, if her enchantress managed to get a job only half done. One of his lonely little-girl characters, a girl who doesn’t realize she has a magic token, let alone how it works, has wished aloud that her cat might speak and keep her company. In situ, that string of nonsense syllables stems from a rookie mistake - but not Eager’s. They travel through time and have other madcap adventures, as they dream up all sorts of wishes.The kids of Half Magic on the porch.

Hilarity ensues as the children try to figure out how to wish for exactly twice of what they really want to receive a full, complete wish. Half Magic is the fascinating and funny story of three sisters and a brother who find an ancient coin on the sidewalk that grants its bearer wishes – but only half of each wish comes true. We’re about halfway through it and we are completely addicted so far! My daughter and I thought it sounded interesting so we looked for it at the library and started reading it that night.

Last week while driving to the library, we caught the tail end of a review by Peter Glassman about a book called Half Magic by Edward Eager. And one of Mindy’s frequent guests is Peter Glassman the owner of Books of Wonder, New York City’s “oldest and largest independent children’s bookstore, as well as the city’s leading specialist in children’s literature both new and old.” My kids and I are fans of the Absolutely Mindy show on Kids Place Live on Sirus/XM radio.

Edward eager