A Picture Book of Harry Houdini

by David A. Adler, Matt Collins (Illustrator), Michael S. Adler

Overview

Harry Houdini astounded audiences around the globe with his death-defying acts and illusions. With his wife, Bess, often by his side, he freed himself from ropes, handcuffs, straitjackets, and prison cells. Once he even made a ten-thousand-pound elephant vanish into thin air! Yet Harry's life was not always so glamorous. When he was a boy, he shined shoes and did odd jobs to help make ends meet. But a career in magic was always in the cards for Harry. Readers will be mesmerized by this captivating biography of one of the most celebrated escape artists and magicians in history.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780823434145
Publisher:	Holiday House
Publication date:	01/19/2015
Series:	Picture Book Biography
Sold by:	Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	26 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

David A. Adler has written more than a hundred books for children, including his well-known Picture Book Biography series. A former teacher, he lives with his family in New York State. Visit him on the web at www.davidaadler.com.

Matt Collins has illustrated numerous picture books for children. His art has also appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and Sports Illustrated for Kids, among other publications. Visit his website at www.mattcollins.com.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 1–3—From Houdini's humble beginnings to international superstardom, this picture-book biography presents the highlights of the magician's life. Deeply hued illustrations, heavy with red and black tones, are well suited to the subject and give the text added drama and depth. Careful research is reflected in the quotations that are fully attributed and an authors' note describing historical discrepancies that exist with regard to Houdini's background. Events are detailed in a straightforward, mostly chronological arrangement that makes the book easy to follow for beginning readers. Kathleen Krull's Houdini (Walker, 2007), also a picture-book biography but written for slightly older children, is more successful in capturing Houdini's unique spirit and personal oddities.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

School Library Journal

"A thorough and well-researched introduction to this fascinating figure."

"Deeply hued illustrations, heavy with red and black tones, are well suited to the subject."

From the Publisher