A review of A Little Like Magic
by
Sarah
Kurpiel
A little girl using a power wheelchair does not want to get bundled up in a heavy coat, itchy hat, and stiff boots to go out into the cold and wind. She does not like going to new places, but her mother assures her it will be all right. They head to a park where an ice sculpture event takes place. The artists are drilling, sawing, chiseling, and more to create something out of ice. The girl and her mother talk about why someone might spend so much time creating something that will melt and are not in agreement about whether it's worth it or not.
The following night they return to the park to visit the completed sculptures. It is a breathtaking, glistening, glowing wonderland. The little girl visits each sculpture one by one and falls in love with the ice and cold. By the end of the book, she believes the art is worth it, even if it will melt. Experiencing something special transcends the exact moment.
There is also a subplot involving a tiny image that children can follow through the pages of the book that is resolved sweetly at the end. This is a wonderful book for sharing and reading aloud.
A Little Like Magic is the winner of the Schneider Family Book Award for Younger Children. The Schneider Family Book Award is for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience. Read more about all the 2025 ALA Youth Media Award Winners here.