The Magic Backpack

by Julia Jarman

Josh’s magic backpack takes him and his friend Tracy over the sea, over the desert, to the rainforest of his uncle’s cocoa plantation in Africa so that Josh can bring back the most important ingredient of the chocolate cake his class is going to make.

Genres: Picture Books

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Julia Jarman is a British author of books for children of all reading ages and ability.

Reviews

[Robert Grayston · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is slightly special as it belongs to my youngest daughter, and was signed for her by the author. It was published nearly 20 years ago, and features a minority main character. There is an educational and environmental theme to the book, as it looks at where all the different ingredients come from that are required to bake a super duper round the world cake, including flying to Africa for chocolate). At the back of the book there are the ingredients and instructions to make a cake and its topping like the one featured in the book (though you don't have to go to Africa to collect the chocolate and coco). The pictures are bright and informative, and he text is easy to understand. This book is suitable for ages 5-8, with supervision if the cake is to be made as well.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Josh keeps forgetting things, so when his teacher says for him to bring the chocolate and cocoa for the cake they're going to make the next day, he was the only child to not remember to bring ingredients. Fortunately, Josh has a magic backpack that takes him to Ghana to get what he needs.
This story is educational as well as entertaining.

[Brandin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Picture book/fiction

Topic/Theme: Magic, imagination, adventure

Grade Level: K-3

Classroom Use: Read aloud, shared reading, independent reading

Comments: Good book for talking about magic/imagination.