The Magic Callaloo

A vibrant tale inspired by a classic fairy tale

Trish Cooke author Sophie Bass illustrator

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Walker Books Ltd

Published:4th Apr '24

Should be back in stock very soon

The Magic Callaloo cover

In The Magic Callaloo, a magical plant grants wishes, but greed leads to unexpected challenges for a couple longing for a child. Their daughter's escape is remarkable.

Brilliantly told and sumptuously illustrated, The Magic Callaloo is a captivating retelling of the classic fairy tale 'Rapunzel,' enriched by the rich narratives of enslaved Africans. This enchanting tale unfolds in a village where a magical callaloo plant grows, granting wishes to those who consume its leaves. However, the story takes a turn when a greedy man seeks to monopolize the wishes for himself, leading to a series of events that challenge the notions of greed and community.

As the story progresses, Mister and Missus, longing for a child, find themselves in a desperate situation when the last leaf of the callaloo is plucked for their wish. Unfortunately, their joy is short-lived as the greedy man kidnaps their daughter, setting the stage for a remarkable escape filled with adventure and resilience. The vibrant storytelling by Trish Cooke, paired with stunning illustrations, brings to life themes of love, family, and the spirit of community.

Trish Cooke, a celebrated author, shares that The Magic Callaloo pays homage to her ancestors and the paths they traversed toward freedom. This heartwarming tale not only entertains but also serves as a reminder of the strength found in unity and the power of dreams. Readers of all ages will be drawn into this colorful world where magic and reality intertwine, making it a memorable addition to the realm of children's literature.

This colourful, fabulous Rapunzel retelling features a magic wishing callaloo plant, a selfish thief and a dauntless girl with huge beautiful curls, inspired by stories of enslaved Africans who wove patterns and escape maps into their cornrowed hair. A wonderful text-rich picture book for readers of 5+. -- Imogen Russell Williams * The Guardian *
A wonderful and enchanting book that will keep the reader enthralled… With extremely colourful illustrations, this book is a delight to read. * PA Media, syndicated via NewsChain to Northern Echo, Breakingnews.ie, Offaly Live, Liverpool Echo, Bristol Post, Hull Daily Mail *
This book is truly magical. * Juno *
In prose as rich and vivid as the glorious technicolour illustrations, Trish Cooke has given us an Afro-Caribbean homage to the traditional Rapunzel tale, with its themes of captivity and escape. * LoveReading4Kids Star Book *
This fairy-tale, set-in Bass’ vibrant, technicolour landscape, is a captivating celebration of family, community, love and Black hair from the author of the beloved picture book So Much. While The Magic Callaloo will still appeal to Cooke’s youngest fans, this text-heavy story will also be read by independent readers aged five and up. Simply gorgeous. * The Bookseller *

  • Long-listed for UKLA Book Award 2025 (UK)
  • Nominated for The Carnegie Medal 2025 (UK)

ISBN: 9781529504880

Dimensions: 300mm x 215mm x 10mm

Weight: 400g

32 pages