Houdini's Library - by Barb Rosenstock Hardcover

Book Synopsis

A fresh and fascinating picture book biography about the iconic magician Harry Houdini, an avid book collector who lived and breathed the idea that books are magic, from the author of Caldecott Honor book The Noisy Paint Box.

Houdini is the world's most beloved magician, and he became famous for all of the amazing tricks he accomplished. Houdini knew just how to captivate his audience, whether it was leaping from a bridge or freeing himself from a straitjacket. But in true magician's fashion, he kept a secret so great that not many people knew about, and that was his love for books!

As a young boy in Budapest, Harry learned to read at his father's knee. After the family emigrated to America, Harry grew up to be the amazing Houdini--but never lost his love of reading. He spent the rest of his life collecting all kinds of rare and unusual books, almost entirely about magic. With warm, inviting text and astounding art with miniature models constructed from paper, this extraordinary book opens a new page on the story of Harry Houdini.

Review Quotes

★ "[A] compelling and wholly original tale....Pure magic." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "The theme, that books were Houdini's great escape--and can be anyone's--is convincing and inspirational. This book has magic all its own." --Booklist, starred review

★ "A ­visual ­delight and excellent take on ­Houdini's life through his love of books and learning. Sure to be popular with book and magic lovers plus those interested in unusual illustration styles." --School Library Journal, starred review

"The details of Houdini's life are all ably related in accessible language, as are examples of his many escapes, but the focus on literature and paper shines, literally, in the art....the results are spellbinding." --The Bulletin

About the Author

Barb Rosenstock is the author of the Caldecott Honor Book The Noisy Paint Box, as well as many other picture books including, Vincent Can't Sleep, Through the Window, Mornings with Monet, and Mystery of the Monarchs, a 2023 NCTE Orbis Pictus Recommended Title, Texas Bluebonet and a Junior Library Guild Selection. Her most recent book, The Great Lakes, recieved two starred reviews. She lives outside of Chicago with her husband, sons, and two big poodles.

Mar Delmar is a paper artist from Barcelona. She has illustrated more than 20 books, and her work has been featured in newspapers, magazines, and blogs around the world like Elle Magazine, The New York Times and The Guardian. She lives in Tarragona, Spain.