The Moon Robber (Magic Door Series)

Morrissey, Dean; Krensky, Stephen

ISBN 10: 0060285826 ISBN 13: 9780060285821

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2001

Synopsis

One day, an earthquake rattles the town of Old Bridgeport. In The Magic Door Toy Shop, an old rusted door swings open. Surprised to see an unfamiliar room on the other side, Sarah, Michael, and Joey step through. As the door in the toy shop slams shut, the three children find themselves in Great Kettles, a mysterious land in another dimension.

Great Kettles is a magical place, filled with storybook characters such as the cow that jumped over the moon, the Sandman, and even Father Time himself. Yet all is not peaceful in this amazing world. Mogg the giant is stomping around, looking for something -- something important. But the trouble really begins when Mogg finds what he's looking for and does something that could destroy both Great Kettles and Old Bridgeport. It is up to the children, with the help of some new and some old friends, to stop the giant and find a way back home.

The Moon Robber is the first book in The Magic Door Series.

About this title

About the Authors

Dean Morrissey has made up stories to go with his work ever since he first began to paint. Eventually he began writing and illustrating children’s books. The highly successful Ship of Dreams, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book, was published in 1990, followed by The Great Kettles, which won a Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators. His other books include The Christmas Ship, The Moon Robber, The Monster Trap, and The Crimson Comet. Dean Morrissey lives on the south shore of Massachusetts with his wife and son, surrounded by many of the amazing contraptions that are found in his paintings.

Stephen Krensky is the author of over seventy books for children, including How Santa Lost His Job, an ALA Notable Book. He has previously collaborated with Dean Morrissey on The Monster Trap and The Crimson Comet. Stephen Krensky lives in Lexington, Massachusetts, with his wife, Joan, and their two children.

Reviews

Grade 3-5-This collaboration revisits the realm of the Great Kettles, previously seen in Morrissey's Ship of Dreams (1994) and The Great Kettles (1997, both Abrams). The plot follows the adventures of Sarah, 10; Michael, 10; and Joey, 6, who are visiting their toy-maker friend, Sam, when a mysterious rumble shakes the town of Old Bridgeport. When the dust clears, a magic door in Sam's toy shop has opened. On the other side, in Great Kettles, are characters out of storybooks: the cow that jumped over the moon; Miss Videlia Potts, the Onion Lady; and Captain Luna, the Man in the Moon. The children accidentally hijack the moon, and run into Mogg, who wants it for himself. With Sam and Captain Luna, they outwit the giant. Back at the toy shop, Joey wonders if they'll ever return to the Great Kettles. This is average fantasy, elevated by beautiful paintings. The almost photographic illustrations show a lovely, interesting world. However, while the tale is sweet and gentle, it is not particularly exciting. The characters are one-dimensional, and the explanation for Mogg's behavior-that he is afraid of the dark-makes the title seem more appropriate for younger readers, but it will be too difficult for most of them. Those who are leaving beginning chapter books behind and are seeking fantasy and adventure would probably prefer Mary Pope Osborne's "Magic Tree House" series (Random).
Devon Gallagher, Grace Day School, Massapequa, NY
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0060285826
• ISBN 13: 9780060285821
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 64