Julio's Magic

Julio and his friend, master carver Iluminado, find their ideas in the forest, where dragons, lizards, and angels hide in the wood of every twisted branch.

At home, Julio can't wait to make sculptures for the annual wood-carving contest. But Iluminado, whose eyesight is failing him, is too humble to enter. When Julio opens his heart to help his friend, he learns that winning is not nearly as important as giving.

Both the author and illustrator of Julio's Magichave traveled extensively in Mexico. Now they have translated the deep admiration they feel for the Mexican artisans they've met into a truly magical book which reminds us that inspiration, creativity, and friendship can be found everywhere.

"The son of Mexican farmers, Julio wants to be a woodcarver, like his aging friend Iluminado ('the best carver in the village'). Heading off to meet Iluminado one day, Julio thinks about the upcoming wood-carving contest 'in the city far away,' a contest with a generous prize, in which Iluminado has never participated ('My contest is with myself,' he says, 'to make the best carvings I can'). Yet Julio encourages him, worried that his friend looks thin, and his burro is hungry. The two head up the mountain where the copal trees' branches whisper what shape they should take. 'Ideas for carvings all around,' Iluminado says, spying grasshoppers and hummingbirds and a branch that 'will make a good dragon.' Grifalconi's (the Everett Anderson books) mixed-media collages echo the idea that art can be found everywhere. A wooden rooster and a real donkey flank a woodcarving neighbor; folk art hangs on Julio's bedroom wall while dry gourds hang like balloons from the ceiling. Spot art of the finished carvings appear alongside the text — from angels with broad wings to electric-hued animals with wild patterns. Text and illustrations work together to produce a lively portrait of Julio's world — from the satellite dish atop a one-story school (that brings 'lessons from outer space') to the field work that keeps food on the table. This story takes art out of the museum and shows its creation as an organic part of daily life. Ages 4-9." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"Julios Magic" is the story of a young artist who puts aside his own aspirations to help a friend in need. Arthur Dorross eloquent text and Ann Grifalconis evocative collages reminds readers that giving is much more rewarding than receiving.

Arthur Dorros is the author of many books for children, several of which he has also illustrated. His Ant Cities, a Reading Rainbow review book, and Feel the Wind were named Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children by the National Science Teachers Association/Children's Book Council. A Tree is Growing was named an Orbis Pictus Honor Book.Mr. Dorros lives in Seattle, Washington.