FICTION

Marigold Finds the Magic Words: A Please & Thank You Story!

by Mike Malbrough (text) & illus. by Mike Malbrough
Philomel. Mar. 2019. 40p. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781524737436.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 2–Marigold is a cat who prides himself on throwing a great party, and he can’t wait to throw an amazing shindig for his very own birthday. He has been practicing magic tricks in order to wow his friends and is truly excited when he takes the stage. Strangely enough, every trick he performs backfires in a stupendous and glorious manner yet his audience is delighted with the results. Marigold is not so enthused and gets increasingly irate as the performance continues. Eventually, he becomes apoplectic with rage and bellows for “everyone to disappear, please!” This particular trick does work, but he soon realizes that celebrations aren’t much fun without anyone to share them with. Marigold then blubbers out, “Thank you for coming to my party! And please come back!” These magical words do work, and everyone returns to celebrate with the contrite kitty.
VERDICT This book is a visual feast with Malbrough’s watercolor illustrations filling each page with rich colors and Marigold’s ever-changing visual expressions. The story itself is a bit frazzled, and the please and thank you message might get lost in all the magical chaos. An optional purchase.
Reviewed by Amy Nolan, St. Joseph Public Library, MI , Jun 20, 2019

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