Anton Can Do Magic

Anton Can Do Magic written and illustrated by Ole Konnecke (Gecko Press)

PB RRP $14.99
ISBN 9781877467639
Reviewed by Dawn Meredith

This story is wonderfully humorous, as we follow Anton’s attempts to make various objects and people disappear, as if by his own mysterious powers of magic. There is a sub-story, about a little bird, belonging to Anton’s friend Greta, which has gone missing from its cage. Somehow it winds up being the star of Anton’s magic trick, for which he finally receives the accolades he is wanting!

Konnecke has chosen a powerful, orange-yellow background for the cover, with cartoon figures reminiscent of the comic strip ‘Peanuts’. They do have a certain appeal, and stand out as very different from the typical picture book style of illustrations. It’s a cute story and by giving Anton a turban, Konnecke reminds us of “The Great Sorcar, World’s Greatest Magician”, whose picture appears on the title page as a fuzzy, old fashioned poster.

Dawn Meredith writes from the Blue Mountains. You can follow her exploits here: http://www.dawnmeredithauthor.blogspot.com/