What do you think?
Rate this book
The Magic Carpet
Outer London, September 2016, and neighbouring eight-year-olds have homework: prepare a traditional story to perform with their families at a school festival. But Nathan's father thinks his son would be better off doing sums; Sky's mother's enthusiasm is as fleeting as her bank balance, and there's a threatening shadow hanging over poor Alka's family. Only Mandeep's fragile grandmother and new girl Xoriyo really understand the magical powers of storytelling. As national events and individual challenges jostle for the adults' attention, can these two bring everyone together to ensure the show will go on?
422 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 22, 2019
6 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 7, 2019
A novel as diverse and intriguing as its characters.
The Magic Carpet is set in outer London in early September 2016, and its cast is a group of young schoolchildren aged seven and eight, tasked with developing the classic fairy tales into performances on Friday October 14th.
The children head home with their assigned stories with the wide remit of telling the fairy tale in any way they wish, involving whoever they wish, including family members.
The author invites us into the children’s homes to meet parents, brothers and sisters and grandparents, and for them to have the chance to share their stories of how they arrived in this part of London.
Beautifully written from both the children’s and adult’s perspective, we get to understand the complexities of integration within a multi-cultural society. It is not just about religion, colour or traditions, as within a single family there can be three generations struggling to understand the new culture, language and accepted practices of a society they were not born into
Such as the loving grandmother struggling to communicate with her English speaking grandson as he shares the wonders of the story he has been given. A single father who is concerned about the proprieties of bringing his son’s friends into the home, and a young girl who sees a side to her parent’s marriage that will challenge her perspective on the happy ever after of fairy stories.
We also come to appreciate the role of teachers at primary schools, who patiently prepare the children from these diverse backgrounds, and with varying language skills, for their future as part of society.
The story culminates with the performances and the interpretations the children have brought to the classic fairy tales. We also discover the impact of this simple exercise has had on the dynamics of the families involved and the changes in perception it has achieved. Demonstrating it is the children, who have the power to bring the generations and different cultures together.
Highly recommended.
The Magic Carpet is set in outer London in early September 2016, and its cast is a group of young schoolchildren aged seven and eight, tasked with developing the classic fairy tales into performances on Friday October 14th.
The children head home with their assigned stories with the wide remit of telling the fairy tale in any way they wish, involving whoever they wish, including family members.
The author invites us into the children’s homes to meet parents, brothers and sisters and grandparents, and for them to have the chance to share their stories of how they arrived in this part of London.
Beautifully written from both the children’s and adult’s perspective, we get to understand the complexities of integration within a multi-cultural society. It is not just about religion, colour or traditions, as within a single family there can be three generations struggling to understand the new culture, language and accepted practices of a society they were not born into
Such as the loving grandmother struggling to communicate with her English speaking grandson as he shares the wonders of the story he has been given. A single father who is concerned about the proprieties of bringing his son’s friends into the home, and a young girl who sees a side to her parent’s marriage that will challenge her perspective on the happy ever after of fairy stories.
We also come to appreciate the role of teachers at primary schools, who patiently prepare the children from these diverse backgrounds, and with varying language skills, for their future as part of society.
The story culminates with the performances and the interpretations the children have brought to the classic fairy tales. We also discover the impact of this simple exercise has had on the dynamics of the families involved and the changes in perception it has achieved. Demonstrating it is the children, who have the power to bring the generations and different cultures together.
Highly recommended.
September 21, 2019
I must admit that I got an expected but completely welcome surprise when I read this book. The magic carpet is an intricate and beautifully told tale of a school project and several families involved. Each child in the class has been allocated a fairy story to take home and make their own any way they wish.
The narratives switches between each family and each chapter is dedicated to a different class member. Diverse, intriguing and almost voyeuristic, we are allowed to peep into the lives of each family as they tackle the homework project in very different ways. All the adults in the story are increasingly distracted by events in their own lives and it’s up to the children to bring everyone together.
I adore that Jessica Norrie has given each family a very unique identity through circumstances. culture and race. Each relationship and situation is delicately written and issues are tackled with sensitivity but bring he characters to life. I became invested in every single child in this novel.
This is a breathtaking and addictive story about stories, families and children.
The narratives switches between each family and each chapter is dedicated to a different class member. Diverse, intriguing and almost voyeuristic, we are allowed to peep into the lives of each family as they tackle the homework project in very different ways. All the adults in the story are increasingly distracted by events in their own lives and it’s up to the children to bring everyone together.
I adore that Jessica Norrie has given each family a very unique identity through circumstances. culture and race. Each relationship and situation is delicately written and issues are tackled with sensitivity but bring he characters to life. I became invested in every single child in this novel.
This is a breathtaking and addictive story about stories, families and children.
September 18, 2019
This is a wonderfully written, important book. When I read the first few paragraphs of a review on a book blog I happened onto, (thinking at first glance by the cover and title that it was going to be a lighthearted book, intended for young children) I thought-wow! I really like the way this author writes! I left the blog and immediately bought the eBook. And I did not want to stop reading, although I had to, for things like sleep, work, etc. Throughout, with the different vignettes set in the lives of families of various cultures, I felt warmed sometimes, and then very sad sometimes, and educated in things I didn't realize, and in the end, I finished feeling with a hopeful heart. I think many people would benefit from reading this book.
September 8, 2019
Interesting and well written
The Magic Carpet is a beautifully written insight into the lives of a diverse group of characters. A thought provoking and entertaining read.
The Magic Carpet is a beautifully written insight into the lives of a diverse group of characters. A thought provoking and entertaining read.
August 21, 2020
*I won a free copy of this book in an online competition. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
The Magic Carpet features a tapestry of different cultures, nationalities and generations, all woven together through a shared school, neighbourhood and a story-centred school project.
We get to dip in and out of the lives and houses of a diverse cast of children, parents, siblings, grandparents and friends as they all tackle the task of reinterpreting a classic fairytale in their own unique ways.
The themes of cultural identities and cultural integration, and the struggle for immigrants to balance their own family history and traditions with their desire to ‘fit in’ with those around them are sensitively explored from a variety of different perspectives, giving plenty of food for thought, especially in our current social context.
The other overarching theme is that of the importance of stories and storytelling. The importance of ‘own voice’ story experiences, the unity of collaborating on stories; the way stories can be written and rewritten to shape reality into different patterns and change the way we think about the challenges we – and others – face.
More than a morality tale, though, this story paints a warm picture of each different family environment: their individual struggles and successes, dreams and fears. The characters feel like friends and neighbours, and I was thoroughly invested in what happened to them… still thinking about them long after I turned the final page.
This is a beautiful, skilfully-crafted tale that entertains and moves the reader (to tears on occasion!), and really makes you think about privilege, respect, diversity and what these things mean to different people. And, of course, it is perfect for anyone who loves a good story!
On the magic carpet with Xoriyo I’m a child again, whooping with joy and laughter, swooshing, swirling, fearless of the height. We’re children together, but also wise: we know the languages of the places we see, our homeland and those of others. We can communicate with any of our fellow travellers… Xoriyo sees curving blue rivers far below and she knows they are called meanders; she sees oxbow lakes, murrains and wadis and she knows what all these are too. On the magic carpet we understand all people we meet: the goatherd, the engineer, and his toddling twins. We may choose to wear whatever we like from abayas to swimsuits. We are confident in our choices and violence and ignorance can do us no harm.
Really there is no reason my daughter should not make friends at this school, new friends, who can take this journey with us through fresh places and new joys. We can have every passport and none, here; we can belong and invite others to belong with us.
On the magic carpet we are free.
– Jessica Norrie, The Magic Carpet
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
The Magic Carpet features a tapestry of different cultures, nationalities and generations, all woven together through a shared school, neighbourhood and a story-centred school project.
We get to dip in and out of the lives and houses of a diverse cast of children, parents, siblings, grandparents and friends as they all tackle the task of reinterpreting a classic fairytale in their own unique ways.
The themes of cultural identities and cultural integration, and the struggle for immigrants to balance their own family history and traditions with their desire to ‘fit in’ with those around them are sensitively explored from a variety of different perspectives, giving plenty of food for thought, especially in our current social context.
The other overarching theme is that of the importance of stories and storytelling. The importance of ‘own voice’ story experiences, the unity of collaborating on stories; the way stories can be written and rewritten to shape reality into different patterns and change the way we think about the challenges we – and others – face.
More than a morality tale, though, this story paints a warm picture of each different family environment: their individual struggles and successes, dreams and fears. The characters feel like friends and neighbours, and I was thoroughly invested in what happened to them… still thinking about them long after I turned the final page.
This is a beautiful, skilfully-crafted tale that entertains and moves the reader (to tears on occasion!), and really makes you think about privilege, respect, diversity and what these things mean to different people. And, of course, it is perfect for anyone who loves a good story!
On the magic carpet with Xoriyo I’m a child again, whooping with joy and laughter, swooshing, swirling, fearless of the height. We’re children together, but also wise: we know the languages of the places we see, our homeland and those of others. We can communicate with any of our fellow travellers… Xoriyo sees curving blue rivers far below and she knows they are called meanders; she sees oxbow lakes, murrains and wadis and she knows what all these are too. On the magic carpet we understand all people we meet: the goatherd, the engineer, and his toddling twins. We may choose to wear whatever we like from abayas to swimsuits. We are confident in our choices and violence and ignorance can do us no harm.
Really there is no reason my daughter should not make friends at this school, new friends, who can take this journey with us through fresh places and new joys. We can have every passport and none, here; we can belong and invite others to belong with us.
On the magic carpet we are free.
– Jessica Norrie, The Magic Carpet
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
April 30, 2020
Invited into the homes of several different families all tasked with adapting a story to be performed at their child's school.
{OOH! A story about the telling of stories. For us bibliophiles things don't get much better than this, right?}
We are invited into several homes where we get to meet an assortment of children and adults of different ages and backgrounds.
{Hmm! I hope the narrative doesn't jump around too much; that each of the character's has a clear and distinct voice.}
I normally only find myself struggling to this degree when sharing my thoughts on a book that wasn't to my taste; when I'm struggling to find something/anything positive to say about a book so its something of a new experience struggling with what to say about a book because, well, I just don't know where to begin sharing all of the aspects that made it such a joy to read ... and yet here I am, struggling with what to say.
{Oh I know! I'll begin with the characters; the characters are always a good place to start.}
Hats off to the author for giving us such a memorable and authentic cast of characters. That she gave them all (both as individuals and family units) such a unique (and thankfully stereotype and cliche free) voice; that each relationship (indeed every event) was written with such depth, it wasn't long before I came to invest in them; that they became as friends and neighbours which isn't something I can always say about a novel and especially not a novel where the narrative is shared amongst so many characters ... that they were often of different genders and ages and backgrounds to her (and my) own, well, that speaks for itself.
Insightful, heart warming and thought provoking. Ultimately the journey of a community being brought together BUT set in multi-cultural London, a society struggling to assimilate those of different colours, cultures and faiths, sadly, racism, prejudice and domestic abuse do raise their ugly heads.
Not just well researched but heartfelt; the author's knowledge and love of teaching young children apparent. That the novel explores just how the issues adults seek to keep from children believing they are shielding them can have a profound effect is just one of the many, many things that, characters and plot in general aside, made The Magic Carpet such an engaging and, yes, important read for me.
SUMMED UP IN A SENTENCE ... The utterly engrossing story of a society trying to assimilate different cultures, backgrounds and faiths peopled by characters you cannot help but invest in, The Magic Carpet is every bit a story of our times.
Copyright ... Felicity Grace Terry
Disclaimer ... With sincere thanks to Jessica Norrie for supplying me with a copy of her book, no financial compensation was asked for nor given
{OOH! A story about the telling of stories. For us bibliophiles things don't get much better than this, right?}
We are invited into several homes where we get to meet an assortment of children and adults of different ages and backgrounds.
{Hmm! I hope the narrative doesn't jump around too much; that each of the character's has a clear and distinct voice.}
I normally only find myself struggling to this degree when sharing my thoughts on a book that wasn't to my taste; when I'm struggling to find something/anything positive to say about a book so its something of a new experience struggling with what to say about a book because, well, I just don't know where to begin sharing all of the aspects that made it such a joy to read ... and yet here I am, struggling with what to say.
{Oh I know! I'll begin with the characters; the characters are always a good place to start.}
Hats off to the author for giving us such a memorable and authentic cast of characters. That she gave them all (both as individuals and family units) such a unique (and thankfully stereotype and cliche free) voice; that each relationship (indeed every event) was written with such depth, it wasn't long before I came to invest in them; that they became as friends and neighbours which isn't something I can always say about a novel and especially not a novel where the narrative is shared amongst so many characters ... that they were often of different genders and ages and backgrounds to her (and my) own, well, that speaks for itself.
Insightful, heart warming and thought provoking. Ultimately the journey of a community being brought together BUT set in multi-cultural London, a society struggling to assimilate those of different colours, cultures and faiths, sadly, racism, prejudice and domestic abuse do raise their ugly heads.
Not just well researched but heartfelt; the author's knowledge and love of teaching young children apparent. That the novel explores just how the issues adults seek to keep from children believing they are shielding them can have a profound effect is just one of the many, many things that, characters and plot in general aside, made The Magic Carpet such an engaging and, yes, important read for me.
SUMMED UP IN A SENTENCE ... The utterly engrossing story of a society trying to assimilate different cultures, backgrounds and faiths peopled by characters you cannot help but invest in, The Magic Carpet is every bit a story of our times.
Copyright ... Felicity Grace Terry
Disclaimer ... With sincere thanks to Jessica Norrie for supplying me with a copy of her book, no financial compensation was asked for nor given
September 8, 2019
Coming to this book as a retired primary school teacher, I rejoiced to hear the voices of these 5 different children and to read the response of their families to the school’s fairy tale project; but this story has a wider context allowing us into the homes of families from varied cultures, structures and beliefs in the turbulent context of post-Referendum Britain. Set in outer London at the beginning of a new school year, the protagonists all live within a few yards of each other, but initially have very little knowledge of their neighbours.
As the children bring home a letter about a future performance to involve all the pupils with perhaps the aid of friends or families, an incident occurs bringing two of the girls together. Alka, a quiet beautiful Indian girl spends time with clumsy, self-centred Sky, whose kind, slightly insecure mother, Teresa, attempts to unite the girls. Soon, Nathan, a bright Chinese boy will join them and their co-operation sparks great interest in the project. Nearby, Mandeep lives in a busy, happy household with his delightful grandma and in a small flat live Safiya and her daughter Xoriyo. Although Somalian, Xoriyo has grown up in England, but in this new school she has chosen to remain mute, concealing her intelligence and excellent English Through the experiences of Safiya, we witness the increasing racism and her struggle to relate to Teresa, whose attempts at friendship are awkward and embarrassing.
This is a book of humour, pathos and relationships. It is a story to give hope in our troubled times for understanding and education. Jessica Norrie has great perception and knowledge about the lives of our diverse society and although life is not a fairy tale, the parallels of monsters and happy endings are a lesson for us all.
As the children bring home a letter about a future performance to involve all the pupils with perhaps the aid of friends or families, an incident occurs bringing two of the girls together. Alka, a quiet beautiful Indian girl spends time with clumsy, self-centred Sky, whose kind, slightly insecure mother, Teresa, attempts to unite the girls. Soon, Nathan, a bright Chinese boy will join them and their co-operation sparks great interest in the project. Nearby, Mandeep lives in a busy, happy household with his delightful grandma and in a small flat live Safiya and her daughter Xoriyo. Although Somalian, Xoriyo has grown up in England, but in this new school she has chosen to remain mute, concealing her intelligence and excellent English Through the experiences of Safiya, we witness the increasing racism and her struggle to relate to Teresa, whose attempts at friendship are awkward and embarrassing.
This is a book of humour, pathos and relationships. It is a story to give hope in our troubled times for understanding and education. Jessica Norrie has great perception and knowledge about the lives of our diverse society and although life is not a fairy tale, the parallels of monsters and happy endings are a lesson for us all.
June 26, 2020
London, 2016, and a community primary school sets its eight-year olds a project: to adapt a traditional fairy tale for the school festival. But this is not a united community. Adults and children with different ethnicities and backgrounds are struggling with all the problems with family life in an England that seems to be becoming increasingly hostile to anything they define as “foreign” (be they born in England or not.) Will the story of The Magic Carpet draw these families together or will the strands fall apart?
I would not normally have read this book. First, the subject is just so damned worthy. Multi-ethnicity families struggling around the time that Brexit kicks off? I was bracing myself for 500 pages of shallow "racism is bad m'kay" doing more harm that good. Second, chapter by chapter change between the many different character's PoV is an invitation to confusion, stereotype, and people you cannot even remember never mind follow.
Happily, I was wrong on every count. These are real families, with normal, family problems. You will recognise them. Each character has their own distinct voice – the children in particularly are superb. Their lives are riddled with conflict: performance at school, making friends, having a personal life as a single parent. You cannot help but empathise with and care about them because so much is what you have been through or known others go through.
The title is perfect, because each chapter reads like a particularly well-constructed short story that weaves together occasionally radically different perspectives of the same events. The author has drawn magnificently on her own experiences as a teacher to create real people, with realistic ethnic influences but for whom the fact that they are Punjabi or Somalian or whatever is in the background to whatever is actually going on in their lives. That is brilliant and true: the first step to overcoming racism is seeing more than ethnicity. The Magic Carpet is a wonderful story about real people struggling with how hard it is to be a family. You will be gripped by every page.
I would not normally have read this book. First, the subject is just so damned worthy. Multi-ethnicity families struggling around the time that Brexit kicks off? I was bracing myself for 500 pages of shallow "racism is bad m'kay" doing more harm that good. Second, chapter by chapter change between the many different character's PoV is an invitation to confusion, stereotype, and people you cannot even remember never mind follow.
Happily, I was wrong on every count. These are real families, with normal, family problems. You will recognise them. Each character has their own distinct voice – the children in particularly are superb. Their lives are riddled with conflict: performance at school, making friends, having a personal life as a single parent. You cannot help but empathise with and care about them because so much is what you have been through or known others go through.
The title is perfect, because each chapter reads like a particularly well-constructed short story that weaves together occasionally radically different perspectives of the same events. The author has drawn magnificently on her own experiences as a teacher to create real people, with realistic ethnic influences but for whom the fact that they are Punjabi or Somalian or whatever is in the background to whatever is actually going on in their lives. That is brilliant and true: the first step to overcoming racism is seeing more than ethnicity. The Magic Carpet is a wonderful story about real people struggling with how hard it is to be a family. You will be gripped by every page.
October 5, 2020
An unexpectedly lively story - and such a good read!
With my daughter being a teacher, I know how much thought and effort the more committed of them put into coming up with ideas to fill their students with enthusiasm; I also know (personal experience) how busy parents dread homework involving input from them! So when Miss Patel allocates re-writing a fairy story, involving the whole family and coming up with some way of showing it off, there are mixed reactions. With children and families from a wide range of cultures, everyone approaches their task differently . . .
This is not only an interesting story, it's also an insight into how different cultures are looked upon and I was hooked! The children are absolutely wonderful and so entertaining, but along with all the light, happy moments there are some really dark dips in this one, and it's a very realistic story. It's exciting to see how everyone approaches their set task, and I loved finding out all about each family and their individual dynamics. This is a very different novel to the others on my list, but no less enjoyable. I've actually learned quite a lot, which is always a plus - especially when the details are just part of the story. I'm very happy to give this one 4.5* and a high recommendation.
With my daughter being a teacher, I know how much thought and effort the more committed of them put into coming up with ideas to fill their students with enthusiasm; I also know (personal experience) how busy parents dread homework involving input from them! So when Miss Patel allocates re-writing a fairy story, involving the whole family and coming up with some way of showing it off, there are mixed reactions. With children and families from a wide range of cultures, everyone approaches their task differently . . .
This is not only an interesting story, it's also an insight into how different cultures are looked upon and I was hooked! The children are absolutely wonderful and so entertaining, but along with all the light, happy moments there are some really dark dips in this one, and it's a very realistic story. It's exciting to see how everyone approaches their set task, and I loved finding out all about each family and their individual dynamics. This is a very different novel to the others on my list, but no less enjoyable. I've actually learned quite a lot, which is always a plus - especially when the details are just part of the story. I'm very happy to give this one 4.5* and a high recommendation.
July 16, 2020
The magical powers of storytelling
What an absolute delight to find this intriguing story. At first I thought it was going to be a children's book about them coming together in school to hold a festival of fairy stories. However, it is clearly not a children's book.
It is a collection of lives of a multicultural community, families brought together by a school project. Each individuals story intricately woven into the bigger picture. The characters so real as if they could be your own neighbours. Some with tragic tales of war and abuse. Heartbreaking decisions to pull young children to safety away from cultural traditions, yet always fearing the worse. Never knowing what the future will hold or if they would fit in.
Children are so resilient and bounce back so easily after an upset, and in this story it is the children that pull the families together with their versions of some traditional fairy tales. This is a beautiful book that will give you a small glimpse into the lives of a group of people from different cultural backgrounds. Very highly recommended.
What an absolute delight to find this intriguing story. At first I thought it was going to be a children's book about them coming together in school to hold a festival of fairy stories. However, it is clearly not a children's book.
It is a collection of lives of a multicultural community, families brought together by a school project. Each individuals story intricately woven into the bigger picture. The characters so real as if they could be your own neighbours. Some with tragic tales of war and abuse. Heartbreaking decisions to pull young children to safety away from cultural traditions, yet always fearing the worse. Never knowing what the future will hold or if they would fit in.
Children are so resilient and bounce back so easily after an upset, and in this story it is the children that pull the families together with their versions of some traditional fairy tales. This is a beautiful book that will give you a small glimpse into the lives of a group of people from different cultural backgrounds. Very highly recommended.
September 6, 2020
What a refreshingly honest portrayal of life in a London school! When a classroom of eight-year-olds is assigned homework to perform a traditional story with their families, many parents struggle with helping. Part of the difficulty comes from overcoming cultural and language barriers.
What I most appreciated about The Magic Carpet was that Jessica Norrie dealt with the real-life issues of society in a sensitive yet realistic manner. Schools aren't immune from families with abuse, prejudice, lack of trust, or economic issues. They are a melting pot of ethnicities, cultures, religions, and socioeconomic groups. Some families accept these differences, while others live in fear of their neighbors.
Five families tell the story through multiple points of view. That is not an easy task to pull off, but Jessica Norrie does so in an engaging manner. The relationships within the families were spot on with moments of love, conflict, and tension. Books such as this are essential educational tools in learning to accept other cultures within a society.
What I most appreciated about The Magic Carpet was that Jessica Norrie dealt with the real-life issues of society in a sensitive yet realistic manner. Schools aren't immune from families with abuse, prejudice, lack of trust, or economic issues. They are a melting pot of ethnicities, cultures, religions, and socioeconomic groups. Some families accept these differences, while others live in fear of their neighbors.
Five families tell the story through multiple points of view. That is not an easy task to pull off, but Jessica Norrie does so in an engaging manner. The relationships within the families were spot on with moments of love, conflict, and tension. Books such as this are essential educational tools in learning to accept other cultures within a society.
March 7, 2021
I admire Jessica Norrie’s skill in creating a novel with so many wonderful characters and viewpoints. (I had my favourite, Mr Chan, a widower from Hong Kong.) Using a light touch, Norrie explores issues of racism, domestic violence, belonging, isolation, identity and much more. Her ability to keep the voices distinct allowed me to tune into a range of personal histories and experiences. The Magic Carpet provides the opportunity to celebrate cultural differences and at the same time it draws upon the shared experiences of families from a range of backgrounds. An entertaining, informative and worthy novel.
March 19, 2020
This book is full of diversity in so many ways, from the many cultures in the book, to the aspects of modern day Britain. It really will take you on a journey of creativity and imagination as well as hard hitting events like far right extremists marches, racism, domestic abuse etc!
This book is so uplifting and heart warming reading about a local community coming together all due to their children’s homework set by their school!
I thoroughly enjoyed this read because not only was it heart warming it was very educational and very current!
This book is so uplifting and heart warming reading about a local community coming together all due to their children’s homework set by their school!
I thoroughly enjoyed this read because not only was it heart warming it was very educational and very current!
June 27, 2020
Heartwarming! Different cultures come together, friendships form, and the magic of childhood tales
I very much enjoyed getting to know the characters, following each of their journeys as current local and world wide events were introduced. Loved how the children brought together these different families, from different backgrounds and cultures. I didn't want the story to end and hope that their friendships continued to grow!
I very much enjoyed getting to know the characters, following each of their journeys as current local and world wide events were introduced. Loved how the children brought together these different families, from different backgrounds and cultures. I didn't want the story to end and hope that their friendships continued to grow!
September 16, 2020
What a gem of a book - I wasn’t sure what to expect but I soon discovered a beautifully written book and was introduced to a very diverse list of characters - the story being told by different people through the book. It was a bit of a challenge to keep sure a long list of character and their relations straight in my head but I have to say this has gone straight to being one of my favourite reads this year - loved it.
October 28, 2023
This was such a feel-good read. Can't recall the last time I read a book like this - simple, warm, with actual soul. It was relevant, without the preachy overtones.
The diaspora narrative is especially moving to read about, particularly at this point in my life. Also, the teaching connection was another moment of relativity for me. I just really personally connected with this book.
It was a wonderful read.
The diaspora narrative is especially moving to read about, particularly at this point in my life. Also, the teaching connection was another moment of relativity for me. I just really personally connected with this book.
It was a wonderful read.
February 3, 2020
This is one of those books that make you glad to be a blogger. You know the ones. The quiet, under-the-radar books that don’t really register on the ‘must-read’ radar. They aren’t the ones that everyone is fighting for a review spot for. The ones with month long tours of five bloggers a day that no one can find anything new to say about it by the end of the tour. This is one of the ones that you volunteer for because it sounds interesting and you have a gap in your schedule. You want to help out the organiser. You pop it in your diary and pretty much forget about it until it comes round in your reading rotation. Then – boom – you realise that you have stumbled on a beautiful gem of a book, a nugget of gold that dropped into your palm unexpectedly and you are so, so glad that you are a book blogger and that has allowed you to discover THIS book, this book that changes the way you think about things, that makes you see the world differently after you’ve read it. This is what makes book blogging such a privilege and a joy.
This book is unassumingly beautiful in so many ways. The construction, following the stories of a community through the alternating voices of different members from different backgrounds and different generations as they work on a school project, works perfectly to give clear voices to the characters. The author makes them all so distinct and believable, by the end I felt like I really knew these people; they were MY friends, MY neighbours, and I just wanted every one of them to get that happy ending. I thought she did such an amazing job of making each voice so authentic, really capturing the difference in the thought processes and speech of the children, parents and grandparents. It’s obvious that she has spent a lot of time observing characters and understanding them.
This is the story of our changing society. Of how we are trying to assimilate different cultures, backgrounds and faiths and re-weaving the tapestry of our country to accommodate the changes they bring. It reflects the difficulties this can bring, the misunderstanding and isolation this can cause for people of all backgrounds, how sometimes we fail, how some people resist but, underlying it all there is a strong vein of kindness and compassion in most people. This book is so relevant to these difficult and turbulent times in which we currently find ourselves, when it is so easy to believe the world has become a dark and unfriendly place. This book, with its message of hope is a welcome beacon, and I do firmly believe that, for the most part, the majority of us are these kind, compassionate, empathetic and tolerant people portrayed, despite the volume of protest we often hear. For the sake of my children, I so desperately want this to be true.
Throughout the book, the author gives light to a range of difficulties facing these families, which are sometimes hard to read. Domestic violence, racism and prejudice, abuse, isolation, bereavement. Unpleasant topics, but ones that people struggle with daily, often in silence, and these are things that can be affecting children in school, regardless of whether people know about them or not. One of the issues explored is how problems that parents are struggling with but believe they are hiding from their children can have a profound effect on the child. Children are acutely aware and sensitive and, regardless of whether adults speak openly about their problems or not, they cannot fail to be affected. The book illustrates this beautifully and, I hope, it will make more adults think about how they address problems with their children. It is difficult to know how much children should be exposed to, and the book acknowledges and explores that dilemma, but it is impossible to shield them completely.
The underlying message of this story is that, underneath colour and nationality and religion, we have so much more in common that we have differences and the exercise of having the children retell fairy stories, using their own words, demonstrates how our stories have so many overlaps and common themes. People are people the world over and, going back, have the same fears and problems, joys and successes and have used stories to record these. I thought this was such a clever and success motif to get across the point. If we allow ourselves to see it, there is more that binds us than divides us and as a society we need to highlight these similarities, rather than focus on our differences.
I am so happy that this book crossed my path. It is a thought-provoking, beautiful, sad, difficult but uplifting story and I would urge everyone to read it. It deserves a huge audience.
This book is unassumingly beautiful in so many ways. The construction, following the stories of a community through the alternating voices of different members from different backgrounds and different generations as they work on a school project, works perfectly to give clear voices to the characters. The author makes them all so distinct and believable, by the end I felt like I really knew these people; they were MY friends, MY neighbours, and I just wanted every one of them to get that happy ending. I thought she did such an amazing job of making each voice so authentic, really capturing the difference in the thought processes and speech of the children, parents and grandparents. It’s obvious that she has spent a lot of time observing characters and understanding them.
This is the story of our changing society. Of how we are trying to assimilate different cultures, backgrounds and faiths and re-weaving the tapestry of our country to accommodate the changes they bring. It reflects the difficulties this can bring, the misunderstanding and isolation this can cause for people of all backgrounds, how sometimes we fail, how some people resist but, underlying it all there is a strong vein of kindness and compassion in most people. This book is so relevant to these difficult and turbulent times in which we currently find ourselves, when it is so easy to believe the world has become a dark and unfriendly place. This book, with its message of hope is a welcome beacon, and I do firmly believe that, for the most part, the majority of us are these kind, compassionate, empathetic and tolerant people portrayed, despite the volume of protest we often hear. For the sake of my children, I so desperately want this to be true.
Throughout the book, the author gives light to a range of difficulties facing these families, which are sometimes hard to read. Domestic violence, racism and prejudice, abuse, isolation, bereavement. Unpleasant topics, but ones that people struggle with daily, often in silence, and these are things that can be affecting children in school, regardless of whether people know about them or not. One of the issues explored is how problems that parents are struggling with but believe they are hiding from their children can have a profound effect on the child. Children are acutely aware and sensitive and, regardless of whether adults speak openly about their problems or not, they cannot fail to be affected. The book illustrates this beautifully and, I hope, it will make more adults think about how they address problems with their children. It is difficult to know how much children should be exposed to, and the book acknowledges and explores that dilemma, but it is impossible to shield them completely.
The underlying message of this story is that, underneath colour and nationality and religion, we have so much more in common that we have differences and the exercise of having the children retell fairy stories, using their own words, demonstrates how our stories have so many overlaps and common themes. People are people the world over and, going back, have the same fears and problems, joys and successes and have used stories to record these. I thought this was such a clever and success motif to get across the point. If we allow ourselves to see it, there is more that binds us than divides us and as a society we need to highlight these similarities, rather than focus on our differences.
I am so happy that this book crossed my path. It is a thought-provoking, beautiful, sad, difficult but uplifting story and I would urge everyone to read it. It deserves a huge audience.
November 24, 2019
I really enjoyed this book about a diverse neighborhood brought together through a school project. The author does a great job of depicting each family from different cultural backgrounds without being stereotypical. The difference between the children and the adults is well portrayed as well. The story is told from multiple points of view, much of it through internal dialogue, which is not easy to do. The story centers around a class project of retelling a classic fairy tale by putting a cultural twist to it. The families have to work together on this project as well as other classmates assist each other. I love how the project brings people together and how misunderstandings are dealt with. This contemporary story portrays very real families that are far from perfect. But in the end, love wins as everyone wants what's best for their children and grandchildren. I highly recommend this great read which gives food for thought.
September 16, 2019
The Magic Carpet is set in a London school, where young children of 8 years old are turning fairy tales into a school performance.
They have been told they can make any changes they like and include anyone they want to.
So we follow the children to their homes and meet their families…..all from different backgrounds and it’s really a beautiful way of hearing all these stories. The different cultures, religions and languages and how they managed to make their lives in London.
There are grandparents, single parents, good and bad marriages and some sadness as there’s not always a happy ending….
A lovely diverse group of children and adults and not forgetting the difficult job the teachers do with almost limitless patience.
The final performances the children have created are thoughtful and show how the young really hold the power to change the world and our perceptions of it. Moving and thought provoking.
Thank you to Anne Cater and Random Things Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the book. This is my honest, unbiased review.
They have been told they can make any changes they like and include anyone they want to.
So we follow the children to their homes and meet their families…..all from different backgrounds and it’s really a beautiful way of hearing all these stories. The different cultures, religions and languages and how they managed to make their lives in London.
There are grandparents, single parents, good and bad marriages and some sadness as there’s not always a happy ending….
A lovely diverse group of children and adults and not forgetting the difficult job the teachers do with almost limitless patience.
The final performances the children have created are thoughtful and show how the young really hold the power to change the world and our perceptions of it. Moving and thought provoking.
Thank you to Anne Cater and Random Things Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the book. This is my honest, unbiased review.
August 14, 2019
A Fantastic Read
Based on what is obviously a deep love for and knowledge of the teaching of young children, Norrie weaves an utterly engrossing tale of contemporary London life.
I was gripped from the outset by the vibrant reality of her characters and situations
The writing style is apparently effortlessly easy. Situations develop ,are resolved and all the time one is hungry for more . To learn how the lives of these people who I quickly came to love will turn out. And how the children's plays will be received when performed
The book has obviously been very fully researched . Not once did I feel that she verges on cliche. I cannot recommend this book too highly
Based on what is obviously a deep love for and knowledge of the teaching of young children, Norrie weaves an utterly engrossing tale of contemporary London life.
I was gripped from the outset by the vibrant reality of her characters and situations
The writing style is apparently effortlessly easy. Situations develop ,are resolved and all the time one is hungry for more . To learn how the lives of these people who I quickly came to love will turn out. And how the children's plays will be received when performed
The book has obviously been very fully researched . Not once did I feel that she verges on cliche. I cannot recommend this book too highly
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews