The Magic Callaloo
Published on 5. June 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
32 pages
978-1-5295-2367-6 (ISBN)
Description
Brilliantly told and sumptuously illustrated, The Magic Callaloo is based on the fairy-tale "Rapunzel" and inspired by stories of enslaved Africans.
Long ago and far away, a magic callaloo plant grew in a village square. Whoever ate one of its leaves was granted a wish. But a greedy selfish man wanted all the wishes for himself so he stole the callaloo. With only one leaf left, Mister and Missus, desperate for a child, pluck it to make their dream come true. But the greedy man wants everything and he kidnaps their beloved daughter, who will ultimately make the most remarkable escape.
Trish Cooke says, "The Magic Callaloo pays homage to my ancestors and the roads they walked to freedom."
"Master storyteller Trish Cooke is in top form with this vibrant story of community, magic, love and family that's bursting with life and colour." Dapo Adeola
Long ago and far away, a magic callaloo plant grew in a village square. Whoever ate one of its leaves was granted a wish. But a greedy selfish man wanted all the wishes for himself so he stole the callaloo. With only one leaf left, Mister and Missus, desperate for a child, pluck it to make their dream come true. But the greedy man wants everything and he kidnaps their beloved daughter, who will ultimately make the most remarkable escape.
Trish Cooke says, "The Magic Callaloo pays homage to my ancestors and the roads they walked to freedom."
"Master storyteller Trish Cooke is in top form with this vibrant story of community, magic, love and family that's bursting with life and colour." Dapo Adeola
Reviews / Votes
This colourful, fabulous Rapunzel retelling features a magic wishing callaloo plant, a selfish thief and a dauntless girl with huge beautiful curls, inspired by stories of enslaved Africans who wove patterns and escape maps into their cornrowed hair. A wonderful text-rich picture book for readers of 5+. -- Imogen Russell Williams * The Guardian * A wonderful and enchanting book that will keep the reader enthralled... With extremely colourful illustrations, this book is a delight to read. * PA Media, syndicated via NewsChain to Northern Echo, Breakingnews.ie, Offaly Live, Liverpool Echo, Bristol Post, Hull Daily Mail * This book is truly magical. * Juno * In prose as rich and vivid as the glorious technicolour illustrations, Trish Cooke has given us an Afro-Caribbean homage to the traditional Rapunzel tale, with its themes of captivity and escape. * LoveReading4Kids Star Book * This fairy-tale, set-in Bass' vibrant, technicolour landscape, is a captivating celebration of family, community, love and Black hair from the author of the beloved picture book So Much. While The Magic Callaloo will still appeal to Cooke's youngest fans, this text-heavy story will also be read by independent readers aged five and up. Simply gorgeous. * The Bookseller *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 3 to 7 years
Dimensions
Height: 285 mm
Width: 206 mm
Thickness: 5 mm
Weight
196 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5295-2367-6 (9781529523676)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Trish Cooke writes multi-racial children's books, scripts for theatre, television, radio and film. She is also an actress. Her series of inter-racial adaptations of children's fairy tales have been popular at the Theatre Royal Stratford East. Cinderella (2007) was the first pantomime to be nominated for an Olivier Award.
Sophie Bass draws inspiration from her mixed British and Trinidadian heritage and from music, social justice, mythology and symbolism. She works by hand employing traditional techniques with gouache and pen to create contemporary images characterized by strong figures, vivid colours and a distinctive style.
Sophie Bass draws inspiration from her mixed British and Trinidadian heritage and from music, social justice, mythology and symbolism. She works by hand employing traditional techniques with gouache and pen to create contemporary images characterized by strong figures, vivid colours and a distinctive style.