JULIO’S MAGIC

Set in a small village of wood carvers in southern Mexico, this gentle tale celebrates artistic creation, community and kindness. Julio, a young boy, has learned the art of wood-carving from Iluminado, and learned from him how to find wood that talks and even sings, telling what it wants to be. This year Julio would like to enter the carving contest in which the winner receives a substantial prize. His mother tells him his carvings are the best he’s ever done, and even the other carvers urge him to enter. But Julio sees that times are hard for Iluminado, whose eyesight is fading. His crops have not done well, and he will have little to eat over the winter. Instead of entering his own carvings in the contest, Julio helps Iluminado get his ready, enabling him to win. For Julio, there will be next year. Grifalconi’s collages mingling manipulated photographs and painted surfaces have magic of their own, establishing a strong sense of place with a touch of the surreal. (Picture book. 4-9)