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Emu Town Stories
Magician Emu follows an emu who aspires to be like a great magician but struggles and must find her own magic and path forward. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Magician Emu is book #3 in the Emu Town Stories picture book series. I’d been thinking of exploring the theme of self-acceptance in this book but didn’t quite know who the main character would be. I was volunteering at a kindergarten classroom last year, when a little girl came up to me and said, “I want to be a magician when I grow up!”, waving her imaginary wand with confidence. That was it – my character had to be an aspiring magician! Being in the classroom, I also heard a lot of kids say, “I want to be like (someone)”. I was inspired to create another character that the magician would aspire to be, which led to Spikey Spike.
The art in this book was fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Anastasia Yezhela?
Anastasia is a joy to work with! She has illustrated all four of the Emu Town Stories picture book series. I was blown away when I saw the character design of Magician Emu and Spikey Spike for the first time. Her vision and vibrant style bring my stories alive. I am so grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with her on this book and hopefully more in the future!
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I write books that promote social-emotional learning in children. In Magician Emu, I explored themes of self-acceptance, celebrating who we are and daring to be different. Children will feel empowered to believe in themselves and be whoever they want to be! Also, there are very few female magicians in the world, which is why I wanted my main character to be female – with the hope that it will inspire young girls to consider being magicians, should they want to.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
My next picture book is YOGIC EMU, book #4 in the Emu Town Stories series, which goes on sale February 2023. It explores the benefits of mindfulness and yoga through a funny, rhyming tale.
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In old and charming Emu Town…an emu aspires to be like the great magician, Spikey Spike. But her magic goes all wrong and nothing like Spikey’s! Will the emu find her magic and dare to be different?
With award-winning author, R.C. Chizhov’s playful rhymes and Anastasia Yezhela’s colorful illustrations, Magician Emu is a funny and heartwarming tale of embracing who you are!
Perfect for holiday gifting, read-aloud, classroom discussion and bedtime!
Magician Emu: A magical story of believing in yourself
Magician Emu by R.C. Chizhov is an exciting story about self-discovery. As a young child, finding your way in life can be challenging, especially if you take a unique path that not everyone understands. Magician Emu aspires to be a great magician one day, just like Spikey Spike, so she learns all his magical tricks and reads all of his books to become an extraordinary talent.
When Magician Emu’s plans don’t turn out as expected, the story takes on a fun and surprising twist, which I found delightful and entertaining. The story is brilliantly written in a way that keeps the reader engaged with the character and the importance of the book’s message of perseverance and resilience. It’s also a great way to promote the importance of being comfortable as yourself and finding your own path in life.
I truly enjoyed this book and its whimsical, light-hearted, but crucial message for kids. Magician Emu is the ideal character, who struggles with many of the same challenges that most of us do, and for this reason, the story is easy to relate to and find thoroughly satisfying and inspiring.
Magician Emu is the perfect addition to your child’s library at home, or as a great read at school or daycare. It’s a fantastic book for children learning to read, and an important reminder to celebrate who we are as individuals, while supporting our kids, so they may grow into strong and confident adults.
Pages 31 | ASIN 173795267X
LITERARY TITAN 