The Magic Callaloo (Hardcover)

Set in a vibrant Caribbean landscape, this modern retelling of “Rapunzel” melds stunning art with a story inspired by tales of enslaved Africans following secret paths to freedom.


Long, long ago in a village far, far away there grew a callaloo plant whose leaves made wishes come true. The villagers tenderly cared for their beloved callaloo, until one day, a greedy, selfish man wished to have the plant all to himself. In that village lived a husband and wife who desperately longed for a child, but without the callaloo to grant their wish, they remained childless. So when a wise old woman appeared from nowhere and told them how to find the plant, they bravely fought dragons and snakes until they reached the last remaining leaf, and their wish for a child finally came true. But as often happens in tales of magic, wishes are only the beginning . . . Creating a world of vivid Caribbean colors, Trish Cooke and Sophie Bass nurture and sow a contemporary retelling of “Rapunzel” sure to leave readers entranced. More about the practice of weaving patterns into cornrowed hair to function as maps leading to freedom can be found in a compelling note from the author.

Reviews

Cooke’s narrative. . . along with Bass’ colorful, swirly gouache illustrations, evokes the oral storytelling style of classic fairy tales through repetition. A vibrant, culturally specific look at a classic fairy tale.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Bass’s vibrant gouache illustrations conjure a lush and fanciful landscape, befitting this moving work that twines magic, map, and story.
—Publishers Weekly

While its bright gouache illustrations evoke the swirled coordinates of the fairy tale, THE MAGIC CALLALOO. . . is also firmly rooted in the history of enslaved Africans braiding escape routes into their hair. . . The twists and turns of Cooke’s brilliant storytelling feel as dexterous as the wise woman’s fingers braiding Lou’s hair. Each line has the possibility of a seed. And each seed has the possibility of rooting to a place as faraway as it is close. The first time I opened the book, I could have sworn I saw the speck of a seed caught in the spine. I tried to shake it out as one might shake a mysterious tree for unknown fruit. I closed the book. I opened it again. The seed was gone, but something almost forgotten took root again.
—New York Times

About the Author

Trish Cooke is the author of So Much! illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, as well as many other books for children. She is also a playwright who has created various retellings and adaptations of children’s fairy tales, including the Olivier Award–nominated Cinderella. Trish Cooke lives in northern England.

Sophie Bass is the illustrator of Windrush Child, written by John Agard. She draws inspiration from her mixed British and Trinidadian heritage and from music, social justice, mythology, and symbolism. She works by hand, employing traditional techniques with gouache and pen to create contemporary images characterized by strong figures, vivid colors, and a distinctive style. Sophie Bass lives and works in London.