Tohby Riddle’s books invariably reflect the ‘art of the seemingly simple’. Watch for the twist and ideas that require reflection and rethinking. ‘Irving the Magician’ is that kind of picture book. Young Irving lives with his Aunt Irma in a city of crowded and unwelcoming high-rise buildings. The few people appearing on these city streets walk alone and rarely interact.
Irving leans outside the window of his high-rise apartment and hears a man below ask, ‘Where is the magic?’ Taking this question literally, Irving wanders the streets asking passers-by and shopkeepers the same question. ‘There’s no such thing!’ and ‘It’s not around here’, they reply. Home again, Irving spies a book with the mysterious title, ‘The Incredibly Marvellous World of Magic’. He whisks it away to his room and experiences a sleepless night entranced by the content. Inspired, he announces, ‘I’m going to be a magician!’
Irving gathers cards, cups, candles and a wand. His aunt finds him some purple velvet. His neighbour makes him a cape. He plans a show to celebrate his Aunt Irma’s birthday. He creates invitations and invites everyone in his building to his performance of magic.
During practice, he breaks his Aunt’s special cup and loses heart, but the open book murmurs encouragement. The guests arrive on the night of the show dressed in fine clothes. They are barely recognisable. Irving begins the show and excels with mysterious acts from around the world to the enjoyment of his highly appreciative guests. Later, Mr Rosa plays the piano while Mr Baker plays the violin. Everyone sings with such enthusiasm that they can be heard from the street below. The final line declares, ‘It was magic’.
Tohby Riddle’s picture books are multi-layered, leaving the reader to reflect on deeper meanings. His illustrations contribute with his characters’ body postures and facial expressions reflecting the solitary, solemn and dispirited people in this city. They are all lonely and without purpose. Like the high rise setting, the book is tall and narrow. There is an unwelcoming atmosphere. Young Irving’s show though adds that illusive element of magic, bringing people together and leading to a warm and satisfying ending. Tohby Riddle says this of his stories: ‘While maintaining simplicity, I like to be ambitious with meaning. I seek to write stories that don't so much state a meaning but rather attract meanings—that can flutter and wheel around the story like moths around a lamp.’
Picture Books for Older Readers
