Houdini’s Library: How Books Created the World’s Greatest Magician

Rosenstock and Delmar tie the magical prowess of Harry Houdini (1874–1926) to his fondness for books in this mesmerizing account of the escape artist’s accomplishments. Awe-filled storytelling emphasizes Houdini’s early appreciation for his father’s sizable library, sold when the family experiences poverty after moving from Hungary to America. After finding a used book about magic, Houdini’s life changes course, and he and wife Bess are soon renowned for their act and especially the former’s feats of dramatic escape. As the magician’s renown grows, so too does his collection of historical volumes and paraphernalia about magic and theater. Intricate, period-appropriate cut paper and acrylic gouache dioramas cleverly play with light and shadowfor maximal drama. The creative team’s illumination of Houdini continually amazes in this elegant work about books as his “greatest escape.” Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Creators’ notes conclude. Ages 4–8. (Feb.)