Magic by the Lake (Odyssey Classic)

If Jane and Mark and Katharine and Martha had stopped to think, they might have ordered magic by the pound, or by the day, or even by the halves-the way they had known it be¬fore in a book called Holf Mogic. But they didn't stop to think and as a result find themselves with a whole lakeful of magic. Extraordinary and unexpected things happen as they learn to tame the magic with the unwilling assistance of a sly old turtle. Eventually, in an effort to help their stepfather, Mr. Smith, save his failing bookstore, the children find themselves involved with Ali Baba's for.ty thieves. By the end of the vacation the children really are able to help Mr. Smith-and in a most surprising way. Edward Eager (1911-1964) worked primarily as a playwright and lyricist. It wasn't until 1951, while searching for books to read to his young son, Fritz, that he began writing children's stories. In each of his books he care¬fully acknowledges his indebtedness to E. Nesbit, whom he considered the best children's writer of all time-"so that any child who likes my books and doesn't know hers may be led bock to the master of us all." "There is here the some melange of realism and fantasy, witty talk and believable characterization that has come to be the hallmark of Mr. Eager's stories." -The New York Times Book Review "The combination of real children and fantasy is convincing and funny." -Book/ist Cover design by Carin Goldberg Cover illustration by Katie Thamer Treherne