The Magicians

Gr 4-7–Three characters—an elephant, a blackbird, and a girl—are magicians who are being pursued by a huntress and a dragon-lion in an imaginative and fantastical world that is seeking to be rid of magicians. Will two be able to stop three? The three not only have to outmaneuver the huntress and dragon-lion, but they also have to encounter other dangers from broom-wielding housewives to annoying old geezers. However, it seems Aisha, the huntress, is powerful enough to complete the task and seek the wizard before deciding her next step. Beginning with the phrase “once upon a time that is now” and ending with “once upon a time that will begin again,” the creator Blexbolex uses artistic license to create something wholly different. The text is translated from French while the style and color of the illustrations take up most of the page. The text is printed at the bottom, more reminiscent of an early chapter book than a comprehensive graphic novel. Capable of being read in a single sitting, the story offers creativity and adventure as its backbone, offering escapism and a unique setting similar Jon Klassen’s The Skull.