This action-adventure picture book featuring a grandfather and grandson duo celebrates the power of imagination and the magic of make believe.

Charlie loves when Grandpa comes to babysit because he always brings his magical imagination. Grandpa was a magician who knows the most amazing tricks; he can pull a rabbit from a hat and make a coin disappear. But what Charlie loves most are his wonderful adventure stories, and they all begin with something his grandfather has saved in his Magic Story Chest. An hourglass is a reminder of how he defended the treasure in King Tut's tomb from raiders. A long white scarf inspires the story about Grandpa's dogfight with the notorious Red Baron, the great First World War fighter pilot. A coconut shell heralds the story about his encounter with a nasty Tyrannosaurus Rex. Charlie's parents, though, aren't too sure they like Grandpa's stories and warn Charlie that they're just "tall tales." What is Charlie to believe? How can his grandpa convince him that all you need to do is believe and a dream can be turned into something real?

Zachary Hyman's profile page

JOE BLUHM est un artiste et un conteur qui fait principalement des livres et de l’animation. Les fantastiques livres volants de Morris Lessmore de William Joyce, le livre qui a inspiré le court métrage primé aux Oscars, a marqué ses débuts dans le domaine de l’album illustré. Son travail d’animation a été récompensé par des Emmy et des Academy Awards. Joe vit actuellement en Louisiane avec sa femme, leurs enfants et une ménagerie d’animaux domestiques.

JOE BLUHM is an artist and storyteller, with books and animation as his primary medium. The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce, the book that inspired the Academy Award–winning short film, marked his picture book debut. His animation work has garnered Emmy and Academy awards. Joe currently lives in Louisiana with his wife, kids, and menagerie of pets.

Joe Bluhm's profile page

• Short-listed, Shining Willow Award

"The conversational tone draws the reader through the story. The remarkable art work by Joe Bluhm showcases the relationship between Charlie and his grandpa and transports the reader into each adventure, providing glimpses of how the imagination can make a dream a reality. . . . Any adult will be equally thrilled by the story, its rich language and the wonderful illustrations. . . . The Magician's Secret is a special way to share ideas between generations. Highly Recommended." --CM Magazine