All the Magic in the World

Sonnie, Stefan, Anna, Chrissie and Lena are five black American children who live in the rural deep South. They play in the yard and the road - running, jumping and climbing like children everywhere. But Lena, who is a little slow and clumsy, prefers to discover the secrets of odd job man Joseph's tin. In the old man's hands, a piece of string, a shell and a fistful of can ring-pulls unlock a world of imagination for Lena and her friends. Both the story and the strong water-colour illustrations are beautifully composed, expressive and moving. An altogether powerful book - not to be missed.