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Reviews
Book 1 | Book 2 | Book 3
Clover's Luck (Book 1)
Cybils Awards Finalist
CATEGORY: Early Chapter Books
Finalist Review:
Taking care of animals was a popular theme in Early Chapter Books this year, but this one stood out with its mix of magical realism, well paced adventure, and lovely pencil illustrations.
Clover stumbles into a magical part of the woods and gets hired as an assistant at magical animal pet shelter. Unicorns, dragons, and other fantastical creatures are under her care since Mr. Jams, the owner, is away on her first day of work! In addition to taking care of the animals, Clover must stop an evil witch from stealing any of the animals as well as match up prospective owners with their perfect pet. It's a summer where Clover discovers that she just might have good luck, after all!
—Mia Wenjen, Pragmatic Mom
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Booklist
Clover, despite her name, knows she’s the unluckiest girl in the world. With her best friend, Emma, away at pony camp and parents who work all the time, Clover has resigned herself to spending the summer alone. When her pet canary escapes through a broken window—the third pet in a row—animal-loving Clover chases the bird into the woods, where she happens upon an ad for volunteers at an animal-adoption agency. Thinking it might be a way to care for animals without losing them, Clover answers the ad and finds herself working with Mr. Jams at the Magical Animal Adoption Agency. When Mr. Jams leaves Clover to take care of the agency, she wonders if her bad luck will bedevil her, especially with a devious witch lurking around. The first novel in George’s new series is a charming story, delicately written, with a winning heroine. Clover’s first adventure with the magical animals at the agency comes to a conclusion that will satisfy young readers.
— Magan Szwarek
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Kirkus Reviews
Clover might have a lucky name, but she is sure that she's the unluckiest girl ever. Clover believes in luck, and she's tried everything to improve hers. She painted her room green (the color of clovers), she hung a horseshoe above her bed, and she carries a wishbone everywhere. Nothing works. Now her best friend, Emma, has gotten the last space at Pony Camp, and Clover will be alone all summer. When her pet canary escapes through a hole in her window, Clover chases the bird into the dark and forbidding Woods that surround the town. She doesn't catch the bird, but she sees an ad for volunteers at an animal adoption agency posted on a tree. When she finds the cottage on Dragon Tail Lane, she learns that Mr. Jams fosters magical animals. He accepts her as a volunteer but must leave on a special rescue mission almost immediately. He places Clover in charge. Can she do the job without her bad luck tripping her up-especially with a wicked witch about? George kicks off her Magical Animal Adoption Agency series with the tale of how Clover discovers her luck isn't what she thought it was. All works out appropriately conveniently for the audience, and the solidly written, gentle tale of magic and self-reliance will entertain confident new independent readers. Clover's sweet story is a good next step for lovers of the Magic Tree House.
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Publisher's Weekly
The Magical Animal Adoption Agency series gets off to a promising start, introducing a girl named Clover whose self-professed bad luck shows signs of improving when she snags a volunteer gig with an agency devoted to finding good homes for cursed toads, miniature fairy horses, and other outside-the-norm creatures. After a witch sneaks into the agency and cuts off a unicorn’s tail, it’s the beginning of a whirlwind adventure for the resourceful and determined Clover, an easy heroine to root for. George’s warm story-telling and Boiger’s equally inviting pencil illustrations quickly establish the story’s enchanting and sometimes dangerous setting. Readers will be envious of the world of magic that Clover becomes ensconced in and eager to read future installments.
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Sharon the Librarian Blogspot
The Magical Animal Adoption Agency is a fun story for anyone that loves magic but has always felt less than lucky. Clover had hoped to spend her summer at a camp riding and caring for horses, but of course he best friend got the last available slot. This leaves Clover home with her working parents that never seem to be home. To make matters worse the latest in a stream of failed attempts to have a pet has escaped. Wondering in the woods to find said lost bird might not be the best idea for Clover, since there are rumors of ‘beasties’ living in those woods. Thankfully, Clover finds the best kind of beasts, ones being taken care of at the Adoption Center. She discovers her own strengths and abilities in taking care of the animals and dealing with the people that come in to see them. I liked that it is Clovers own wit and caring that turn out to save the day, rather than anything luck related. I found the story to have humor and a great message about responsibility, kindness, and being yourself. It is a fun and sweet read and a great opening for a series.
The Magical Animal Adoption Agency is a book that I fully intend on sharing with my daughter as soon as I can get a paper copy. Any animal or magic loving child with greatly enjoy this story, and my girl adores both. There is danger and adventure, but also the mundane acts involved in feeding and caring for animals, even magical ones. I think it strikes a wonderful balance and will be the new favorite series for many young readers.
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Jen Robinson's Book Page
Clover's Luck is perfect fare for young readers who are charmed by magic, and who enjoy animals. There are black and white pencil illustrations every few pages, mostly small, but some full-page, bringing the magical animals and the determined Clover to life. At ten chapters and 128 pages, Clover's Luck is a couple of steps beyond easy readers, but still short enough to be unintimidating for relatively new readers.
Here are a couple of quotes, to give a feel for the difficulty level of the text:
"She was so distracted thinking about magical animals that she dropped and broke not just her glass but also her plate when she was doing the dishes. And at bedtime, her toothbrush slipped in into the soap dish, and no matter how much she rinsed it, it still tasted like soap." (Page 21, ARC)
"A dark and far-off look came over Mr. Jams. He turned to Clover. "Many people want magical animals, but not all of them for the right reasons. Our creatures are meant for those who truly deserve them, those with good hearts. The animals at our Agency aren't possessions to be shown off, but companions, pets to be loved and cared for." (Page 40)
Clover is a delightful protagonist, somewhat lacking in self-confidence, but determined to do the right thing. She has conveniently neglectful parents, and is thrust into a position of responsibility beyond her years, but while she worries, she never shirks her new responsibilities. She grows emotionally over the course of the book, too (no mean feat for such a brief story).
George does come down quite directly on questions of right and wrong and looking on the bright side in this book, but for me, she stays on the right side of lesson-y. Things become clear to the reader as they become clear to Clover.
In short, Clover's Luck is a delightful addition to the ranks of early chapter books. I look forward to future titles in the series, and hope that they are available in time for my almost five-year-old to appreciate them.
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Mom Read It!
This book is perfect for kids just stepping into chapter books. Aside from being one of the sweetest books I’ve read lately, The Magical Animal Adoption Agency is fun. Where else can you find out about the care and feeding of unicorns and baby dragons? The story is well-paced, sets up what promises to be a fun series, and has enough drama to get readers’ attention, without dipping into bleaker territory. Add Alexandra Bolger’s adorable artwork, and you have a fully engaging story.
I’m looking forward to seeing what other magical animals come through the doors of the Magical Animal Adoption Agency. In the meantime, this one will be a fun addition on my Intermediate shelf.
There’s a great Magical Animal Adoption Agency website, where you can submit a wish for a magical pet of your own, draw pictures of your magical pet – or print out Lost! posters, if you should misplace yours, and even adopt a magical pet of your own. Send your stories and artwork in – the site publishes contributions!
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Luna's Little Library
“The first book in The Magical Animal Adoption Agency Series is lovely. . . .Kallie George has individual stories for some of the magical creatures in Clover’s care, which are funny and lovely at the same time. I thought there was a lot of positive content in the book; Clover’s perceived bad luck that bought her to the agency. The importance placed on picking the right owners for the animals. Also Alexandra Boiger’s illustrations are charming.
Clovers Luck is a great introduction to this series and I hope to read more about The Magical Animal Adoption Agency.
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Books Beside My Bed Blogspot
Extremely cute! If you are looking for a brief description of the book those are the words I would use. I wish that I could wander into the woods behind my house and find a Magical Animal Adoption Agency. There were many mythical beasts that I would love to take of but I think the fairy miniature horses would be my favorite. Not the usual miniature horses mind you but ones the length of your finger. They live in an aquarium that has a miniature forest and I want one (or the whole herd).
I really liked Clover and her willingness to help out with the animals. I understand that love of animals but not being able to keep one. She is sweet and kind without seeming Mary Sue-ish. I think this will be a great series for children who like mythical creatures and fairy tales. Make sure you check this one out!
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Second Bookshelf to the Right
Most of the time, you can tell from the first book if a series is going to be successful, and I have a feeling that this series is one of those.
I really liked this book. Clover, was more charming than annoying, which is what klutzy characters tend to be in unskilled hands. The people who come to the agency, as well as the pets themselves, are quite likeable, except of course, for the villain in the story.
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BookFaerie
If anyone in your family likes magic, you'll need to get a copy of this book.
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Book Wars Blog
Clover’s Luck is heartwarming and will make anyone who reads it a little bit happier. And really, what more could anyone ask for?
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Mundie Kids Children's Book Review Blog
This book is simply magical! Do you believe in magic? Do you love love animals, especially enchanted ones? Have you ever felt that you were unlucky? Have you felt like nothing ever goes your way? If you've ever felt any of these or are feeling down on your luck, than this is a story for you! It's also a story if you've never felt these things.
I really enjoyed this book. The illustrations in this book are simply adorable. It's the perfect story to read out loud with you children, or in a classroom setting. It's a great book for those who have advanced from the beginning reader books into chapter books. I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.
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CanLit for Little Canadians
Like her picture books, Spark and Flare (Simply Read Books) and early reader The Melancholic Mermaid (Simply Read Books), Clover’s Luck promotes a positive message about self-acceptance and compassion wrapped in a charming story with an odd assortment of magical creatures. With Books 2 and 3 already slated for later in 2015 and 2016 respectively, readers will have plenty of time to embrace their inner magic and look forward to enchantment of the literary and imaginary kind.
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Montreal Gazette
Clover's Luck—filled with magic and adventure! George’s text is lively and easy to read, made even more so by Alexandra Boiger’s numerous black-and-white illustrations. In safeguarding the agency’s animals and fighting off the wicked witch, Clover discovers she has hidden strengths — and better luck than she ever thought possible. And by the time Mr. Jams returns to the MAAA, having rescued a huge egg of unspecified origin, readers know Volume 2 in the series will deliver another adventure.
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Resource Links
This magical story filled with adventures should hold the readers interest from start to finish. Complete with a dragon and a spell-casting witch, it is sure to amuse and delight. Appealing images drawn by illustrator Alexandra Boiger enhance the story. Many of the magical pets, including Esmeralda the Frog, and Snort the Dragon she draws in whimsical poses as they play with Clover, adding interest and fascination for young readers. The first in the Magical Animal Adoption Agency Series, this enjoyable chapter book should be a popular addition to an elementary school library or a classroom collection.
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City Parent
The first novel in a new series, this wonderful, magical story is an excellent beginning. Clover is a heroine who believes she is unlucky and as the tale unfolds she discovers much about herself thanks to her job at the Magical Animal Adoption Agency. The story is gently told with enough intrigue to keep the pages turning.
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Library Media Connection
This first volume in The Magical Animal Adoption Agency series offers a clever plot, blending magical creatures and community service in a way that has real world applications for young readers. When Clover’s pet bird escapes through a hole in the window and flies off into the mysterious Woods, she ventures out to find her bird. She stumbles upon the Magical Animal Adoption Agency which works to find homes for abandoned and mistreated magical creatures. Mr. Jams, director of the MAAA, tells Clover that finding the right match for the pets can be tricky and potential owners must be carefully screened. Clover’s work ethic and good sense make her an outstanding volunteer; she shows true empathy for the creatures when a pesky witch attempts to use their magical properties for personal gain. Boiger’s grayscale drawings bring Clover’s adventure to life and offer a nice balance of text and illustration. Clover is a winning hero worth following.
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Diane S. Hance, NBCT Librarian, Grisham Middle School, Austin, Texas: Recommended
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San Francisco Book Review
I was so excited to read this book! I love all animals, but especially magical animals like unicorns and dragons and Pegasus. In this story, Clover is a girl with really bad luck. Her best friend (Emma, just like me!) gets a spot at Pony Camp for the summer, but there isn’t a spot for Clover. Then her pet bird gets loose and flies away. When Clover goes into the woods to try to find her, she sees a sign for volunteers at the Magical Animal Adoption Agency. She decides to check it out because this way she can help animals without having them as pets (since she is unlucky with pets.) Clover volunteers at the Agency and has to take care of things while the owner, Mr. Jams, is gone. Clover learns that she isn’t unlucky after all. My favorite part is when the witch is trying to cast bad spells on Clover, but they turn into the opposite and good things happen. I can’t wait to read more Magical Animal Adoption Agency books!
~ Emma, Age 7
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National Reading Campaign
Take one curious, resourceful little girl with bad luck. Add several abandoned but adorable magical creatures (dragons, unicorns, fairy horses) and put them all in an animal adoption agency deep in a mysterious wood. Add witches, princesses, and a guardian garden gnome and you have the magical potion for an enchanting new chapter book series from Kallie George, author of the picture books, Flare and Spark.
Clover’s Luck is the first book in The Magical Animal Adoption Agency series. Clover is an ordinary little girl who wanders into a summer job at an agency that finds homes for magical animals. All her life she has felt unlucky, but as she works with the animals (and fends off an evil witch), Clover soon realizes that she can rely on herself to make her own good luck.
This is a gentle adventure story laced with humour and whimsical invention. Alexandra Boiger’s sweet line drawings add their own charm to Clover’s weird, wonderful, and sometimes dangerous world. The series has a delightful website, where kids can adopt a magic animal after taking a quiz to find out which one suits them best (mine is a sea serpent!).
Clover’s Luck is sure to cast its spell over readers who love animals, magic, and fairy tales, and who sometimes feel, like Clover, that the world is against them.
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CM REVIEW
Clover’s Luck will be enjoyed by many children, especially those who enjoy a little fantasy and magic in their lives. They will be anxiously awaiting the next title in the series to find out what’s new with the agency’s fairy horses, how Esmeralda/Flit has settled in and whether any more dragons are living at the M.A.A.A. The occasional illustrations by Boiger help paint a picture in the mind of the reader. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and my daughters are both anxiously awaiting their turn. Highly Recommended.
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School Library Journal Gr 2–4
Clover believes that she has bad luck. She keeps losing her pets and her best friend got into horse camp without her. She is dreading her summer. This changes when her latest pet, a bird, escapes after a baseball breaks a hole in her window. She follows her bird into the scary woods where no one is willing to go. Clover soon finds a sign advertising the need for animal lovers to volunteer at an agency called the M.A.A.A. She follows the directions, discovering an animal shelter that is like nothing she has ever seen. It is full of magical creatures like unicorns and dragons. Clover's summer is now far from terrible, but she must keep her job a secret. When the youngster is left in charge for several days, she must deal with a pesky princess and a wicked witch while finding magical animals a good home. This story is cleverly told and Clover is an endearing protagonist. George writes descriptively, making readers feel at home in the cottage filled with visual wonders, delicious cinnamon toast, and surrounded by a forest carpeted with feathery moss. VERDICT: This new chapter book series is perfect for young readers who love animals and fairy tales. (Kris Hickey, Columbus Metropolitan Library, OH)
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PaperBlog
Clover's Luck was super adorable. Right from the start you feel for her and how much she loves pets even though she can't seem to keep one…The animals were another big plus for this book, because I loved seeing all the fantastical animals and the troubles they could get Clover into.
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Children’s Book Council
Clover discovers the Magical Animal Adoption Agency in the first in a marvelous new illustrated chapter book series.
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Dead Houseplants Blogspot
Clover's Luck is the first book in a series called Magical Animal Adoption Agency, and can you think of a more brilliant idea for an early chapter book series? because I can't! This book is as cute and sweet as it looks, but it's also funny and clever.
Clover earnestly attempts to match up various magical people with the most appropriate magical pet, even though she herself has been terribly unlucky when it comes to pets. The animals are delightful, and the details of their care and feeding are a lot of fun (eg: Clover deduces that hot peppers are the best food for the fire salamanders). To complicate matters there's a witch with increasingly ridiculous disguises and a fiendish (but not at all scary) plan.
Clover's combination of diffidence about her own skills but genuine care for the animals makes her a truly engaging protagonist. Young readers will be charmed by the magic and will be rooting for Clover. I know I can't wait to read the next one and see what will hatch out of the egg that arrived at the end! The illustrations, by the way, are perfect: soft sketches that just capture the personality of each animal.
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Horn Book
Clover faces an unlucky summer without any pets or her best friend. When she discovers the hidden Magical Animal Adoption Agency, she decides to volunteer there. By the end of summer, she foils an evil witch to save the day. George's series-starter is a quick adventure story with a positive message of believing in yourself. Light pencil sketches break up the text.
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This is Literacy Review
Take one curious, resourceful little girl with bad luck. Add several abandoned but adorable magical creatures (dragons, unicorns, fairy horses) and put them all in an animal adoption agency deep in a mysterious wood. Add witches, princesses, and a guardian garden gnome and you have the magical potion for an enchanting new chapter book series from Kallie George, author of the picture books, Flare and Spark.
Clover’s Luck is the first book in The Magical Animal Adoption Agency series. Clover is an ordinary little girl who wanders into a summer job at an agency that finds homes for magical animals. All her life she has felt unlucky, but as she works with the animals (and fends off an evil witch), Clover soon realizes that she can rely on herself to make her own good luck.
This is a gentle adventure story laced with humour and whimsical invention. Alexandra Boiger’s sweet line drawings add their own charm to Clover’s weird, wonderful, and sometimes dangerous world. The series has a delightful website, where kids can adopt a magic animal after taking a quiz to find out which one suits them best (mine is a sea serpent!).
Clover’s Luck is sure to cast its spell over readers who love animals, magic, and fairy tales, and who sometimes feel, like Clover, that the world is against them.
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Chapters
Age Range: 7-10 years
Grade Level: 3-7
Hardcover: 144 pages
Published in the USA by
Disney-Hyperion
ISBN: 978-1423183822
Published in Canada by
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
ISBN: 978-1443419802
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The Enchanted Egg (Book 2)
Kirkus Reviews
Clover must take care of the Magical Animal Adoption Agency when Mr. Jams leaves her alone again. After volunteering at the agency in the magical wood near her decidedly mundane town, Clover was able to outsmart a witch and save a kitten, and it wasn’t just luck (Clover’s Luck, 2015). Now Mr. Jams has brought in a giant, mysterious egg. No one knows what is in the egg, but Clover feels drawn to it. When Mr. Jams goes in search of a magical egg expert, Clover’s left in charge of the egg, along with fairy horses, unicorns with allergies, and the customers (like ghosts and leprechauns) coming in search of magical animals to adopt. A kindle of magical kittens and some giants who aren’t sure Clover is up to the job of running the agency complicate matters…and then the egg hatches. When the still-unknown inhabitant of the egg is nowhere to be found, Clover is suddenly totally unsure that a nonmagical, quite ordinary girl is up to the tasks at hand. George’s second magical adventure is as sweet and innocuous as the first. Clover doubts herself and accidents happen, but all threats are of the nonthreatening variety, and all ends well. Graduates of sparkly chapter-book series will be right at home and looking for the next installment posthaste.
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Open a Book, Open a Mind
We just loved this whimsical and delightful chapter book. In everything she does, Clover's kind heart and compassion shine through. In this, the second instalment of the series, Clover is left in charge of the Agency when Mr. Jams eheads off for a few days. While he is gone, chaos breaks out yet Clover handles each situation with grace. This is a great choice for animal lovers.
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Nayu's Reading Corner
Ah, Disney-Hyperion, how I'm loving all the girly reads I'm slowly discovering from you! While I haven't yet read the first book in this cute series, I didn't feel that I was missing anything by being plunged into Clover's world. It is so cool that she gets to help out with magical creatures, taking care of them, having a great deal of responsibility which in our world probably wouldn't happen to one so young.
I liked how certain characters weren't as I expected they would be (from my own experience of similar characters in other books). I could feel Clover's panic when things started going a little wrong, and liked how she managed to cope when disaster struck. The creatures are cute and funny, and has me wanting Clover's job. I guess I'll settle for my cat and birds, and reread this a lot so I can care for mischievous animals from the comfort of a sofa.
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Luna's Little Library
I adored the first book so when the next installment of The Magical Animal Adoption Agency was available for review I immediately requested it and read it within a day of being approved on Netgalley.
These books might be quite short but for the time that you’re with Clover you’re having a lovely time. I’m not sure what it is; Clover? The idea of the Magical Animal Adoption Agency? Or the different magical creatures within it? The artwork? Probably the combination of all, but the book is just like a happy place to visit.
Either reading it alone or reading the book aloud to someone else, I think The Enchanted Egg is definitely a wonderful way to pass the time.
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A Page of Fictional Love
This has to be THE cutest children's book I've ever seen and read since Lucy Daniels' Animal Ark series back when I was a child. The book cover is utterly adorable, and I can see so many young children wanting to read this book based on the cover alone - huge selling point, and one that I would succumb to myself.
The story features a little girl called Clover who helps out at a Magical Animal Adoption agency that organises adoptions of magical animals . . . and she does this under the supervision of Mr Jams. In this book, which is Book 2, (book 3 is available for pre-order for October 2015) Mr Jams has to go away for a while and leaves Clover in charge of the magical egg that is not due to hatch . . . just yet, but no one can be entirely sure because no one has actually ever seen an egg of this kind before.
During the time that Clover is in charge, giants from the beanstalk stop by, an 'imaginary' pet stops by with a little girl who comes with her leprechaun father to adopt an animal, AND Clover has a confidence crisis when she thinks that she can't look after the agency properly. But Clover has to learn how to believe in herself, and believe in the people and friends around her.
This is an amazingly charming book that will be enjoyed by children and adults alike, and I really enjoyed reading this myself. Definitely one for your child's bookshelf.
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Northshire Bookstore Staff Picks
Clover is back in this second Magical Animal Adoption Agency. Mr. Jams needs to leave Clover in charge once again because of the egg he found on his last adventure. He is off to find an expert to help him figure out what might hatch from it. However, in spite of Mr. Jams' assurances he will be back before the egg hatches, it hatches! And Clover (in addition to her regular duties of caring for unicorns, fire salamanders, very miniature horses, and a liter of magical kittens) has to deal with what hatches from the egg. The only problem is, Clover cannot find it . . . though she can see the trouble it causes! But it is when Clover meets Lulu, a little Leprechaun girl, that the pieces of the puzzle start to fit together and she figures out you might be a girl without magical powers, but you can do pretty magical things!
~ Reviewed by Jeanette
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Shanon the Librarian
The Enchanted Egg is a delightful book. I do suggest reading the series in order, and thanks to a little tease at the end of this book I am very eager to get my hands on the next book. I highly recommend this series to young chapter book readers that enjoy reading about animals, magic, or both.
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Bless Their Hearts Blogspot
Kids in the 2-5th grade level with identify very easily with Clover, as they and their friends are starting to go off in different directions, as far as extra curricular activities and likes. They will understand how Clover feels left out, even though no one made it their purpose to leave her out. But as the proverbial saying goes, when one door closes, another opens, and Clover finds The Magical Animal Adoption Agency, and a whole new world opens up for her.
This book is a lovely reminder to kids that better opportunities might just be around the corner, and being left out/behind isn't always a bad thing. Clover learns from each animal she finds homes for, and in doing so, learns compassion and empathy, two very valuable lessons, as her confidence builds and she learns to believe in herself! This is a lovely book, and perfect for gift giving, especially as a two book set for Christmas!
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IOBA (Independent Online Booksellers Association),
Journey of a Bookseller
I enjoyed the first book in this series, so I had to see what new adventures Clover has. Giants come and almost dislodge the cottage door by knocking. They're looking for a special pet. A leprechaun brings his daughter in search of the perfect pet. And the wicked witch sends her a batch of kittens that have magical powers. If that's not enough to keep her busy, the egg hatches! What do you do when you can't see what hatched? The egg was big, so it should be good sized. Where could it be hiding? Was it dangerous?
The magical animals are great fun to read about. Clover has a strong character and carries on despite challenges. She's willing to work hard. And she's good at matching people with the right animal. This series makes me smile. I'm sure young readers are anxious to get the next in the series. I hope there will be more.
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Just Commonly
O, how pleasant and happy a read The Enchanted Egg, Book 2 of The Magical Animal Adoption Agency was. It's adorable, entertaining and plain fun!
An egg is full of possibilities. Especially an enchanted one. The tiniest egg can hold the most fearsome dragon. The biggest egg, the shiest sea serpent.
How's that for a fun opening? Doesn't that just makes you smile and get your imaginations to go wild? What's in that egg?! Well, I wanted to find out, so I kept reading. Granted, I did not read Book 1 (but that will change very soon) and it didn't even matter because it was still enjoyable and can act as a standalone story. It just happens to be a part of a series that will become popular. Why did I say that? I said that because it's so good that I'm going to buy a copy myself and maybe more as gifts. It's cute with whimsical and magical storylines and beautiful illustrations. Not to mention it's about animals - from dragons to horse fairies to cats with powers and giants and ghosts and witches and anything you can think of. What little kid would not what to read a story like that? I mean, I'm an adult and I loved it.
Book 2, The Enchanted Egg, has a neat storyline, a mystery of sort that will get your little one's creative juices working. What is it? How can it do that? Why did it do that? Putting all the clues together, will you work it out like Clover? On top of the mystery of the egg, we also see the variety of characters coming to adopt - you got it, magical animals! How does an adopter fit with the adopted? Can a non-magical (ahem, Muggle) girl handle it? You'll just have to see. It's a great book to read to your little one or have them read together with you. Great times for learning and having fun together! O, speaking of fun, you won't want to miss checking out The Magical Animal Adoption Agency website, filled with tidbits about the books, the animals and lots of fun activities.
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Second Bookshelf on the Right
I loved this book! It had the same vibe, fun things, and subplots that I loved about the first book. Here, while the main plot is Clover's search for the animal from the egg, she also had to manage (clean the Agency, feed the animals, etc.) and deal with clients. I loved reading about the mundane stuff about how she cleaned the stalls and fed the animals. It made it seem like something I would love to do too. Of course, I also enjoyed reading about the different clients she helped out.
Here, she had three clients: a baker, a giant couple, a father-and-daughter pair of leprechauns. I wasn't too fond of the giants at first, but I did warm up to them. I liked the father leprechaun right away, but I was unsure about the daughter. Then as the story progressed, I started feeling bad for her. Thankfully, she had a very happy ending. My favorite client, though, is the baker. He seems like a genuinely nice person, and I would love to taste those cupcakes. If I was hosting a book club meeting for this book, I would definitely have cupcakes as snacks.
I'm definitely interested in reading the next book in this series, especially since the ending introduced a character who likely could play a very interesting role in coming books. I'd say more but I don't want to give away too much about a potentially important plot point.
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CM Magazine
Clover loves her job at the Magical Animal Adoption Agency, and readers will enjoy the journey with her. In this installment of the series, readers get to meet friendly giants looking for a guard animal for their golden egg laying goose. A unicorn suffers from dripping glittery snot due to allergies, and readers meet Monsieur Puff, a cupcake baking ghost. Kallie George has created a story where readers are truly pulling for the protagonist. This second book in the series seemed to have fewer obstacles for Clover to overcome which made for a truly enjoyable read. Once again, both of my daughters, aged 7 and 11, enjoyed this book. Come along on the journey to learn which animal emerges from the enchanted egg. 4/4 stars.
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Lilac Diaries Blogspot
The journey to the Magical Animal Adoption Agency was delightful. I was keen to finish reading it, before going to bed. There were giants who use sunscreen lotions, leprechauns wearing tutus, a gnome who comes alive at night, a goose laying golden eggs filled with liquid gold, a centaur delivery man and a baker ghost who makes fluffy cupcakes. I enjoyed the story very much. All those illustrations were cute and helped in envisaging the story as well. The story reminded me of the Harry Potter series too, it could be the references to the three-headed dog and the basilisk, the poisonous snake. You will meet all kind of magical creatures in this story and that's the reason why I loved it.
Clover has taught us never to give up, even when situations are tough. I liked how she faced the challenges, her compassionate attitude towards the animals definitely qualifies her as a keeper. Each character I met was amazing. Kallie gives different interpretations to each enchanted creature; they are friendly and lead a normal life. So, you will certainly end up loving them, especially Children. Pages were turning so fast, as I was eager to know about the mysterious animal. I imagined it as something I have heard before. But, I was taken by surprise to discover the animal at last, I had never thought of such a creature before. I am sure that kids too will love it. They wouldn't be afraid of giants and ogres, after reading this book.
The Enchanted Egg ends with welcoming a new member to the agency, which hints to the next book in the series. I would gladly buy these books for my kids. It would make a nice addition to the storybook collection. Highly Recommended for the kids who enjoys fantasy novels. Take your kid on an imaginary trip to The Magical Animal Adoption Agency before going to slumber. They will be delighted!
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San Diego Book Review
The Enchanted Egg, Book 2 in the The Magical Animal Adoption Agency series, is about a girl named Clover who finds an egg, but she doesn’t know what kind of an animal it is from. After it hatches at the Magical Animal Adoption Agency, she can’t find the animal anywhere. So she makes a trap, and finds the trap was activated, but she doesn’t see anything. Then people come to adopt some animals. When a leprechaun child, Lulu, comes, she takes a fairy horse and asks if she can take the puppy too? Clover thinks Lulu is just making things up, but she sees puppy footprints. Clover follows the footprints and finally finds out what it is!
Kallie George, the author, has written a book that everyone who likes magic animals or adventure stories will like. This is an exciting book, because it’s fun for you to try to figure out what is doing all those things that the animal was doing. There are lots of pictures in the book and I like them very much. It is easy to read this book and you can read it really quickly. I really like this series and I’m sure you will enjoy this book as much as I did!
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Mom Read It
The Magical Animal Adoption Agency is back, and so are Clover, whose gifts with animals surpass any magic she may not have, Mr. Jams, the proprietor, and Dipity, the green magical cat Clover rescued from the witch in the first book. In this second book in the series, Clover must once again keep an eye on the adoption agency while Mr. Jams is away – but a large egg has hatched early, and the newest member of the adoption agency is keeping Clover on her toes!
This series is a feel-good read. Clover is a sweet, gentle soul who learns about herself and what she’s capable of in each book, going from a self-conscious, clumsy girl in the first, to a more confident young girl who realizes that she doesn’t need magic to take care of magical creatures in this book. There are positive messages about self-esteem and caring for others, taking responsibility, and most importantly, the value of being kind.
This is a great series for kids, especially those who love fantasy or just love animals. The first book was well-received at my former library, and I can’t wait to get these two books into my new patrons’ hands. Animal fiction does really well with middle graders, and a series like this, that pairs the fantastic within our everyday world gives readers a necessary spark of magic in their lives.
Magic Tree House fans, Critter Club fans, steer them all to these books. They’ll love you for it.
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The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
“An egg is full of possibilities. Especially an enchanted one.” Looking after just such an egg is young Clover’s current job at the Magical Animal Adoption Agency. As in this series’ first book (Clover’s Luck, BCCB 5/15), Mr. Jams (head of the agency) takes off on an urgent errand leaving Clover in charge of the egg and of the rest of the animals at the agency.
When the egg hatches ahead of schedule and its inhabitant is nowhere in sight, Clover is concerned. Other issues arise as well, such as resident unicorn Cocoa’s sudden development of allergy-like symptoms (including sparkly snot) and various magical folks who come looking for pets to adopt.
Although uncertain, Clover manages to cope with all the situations, finding and caring for the lost hatchling (an invisible winged puppy) and matchmaking between the wannabe pet owners and the unusual shelter animals. The devices that get the adults out of the way are becoming a little obvious, but the magical animals and the details of their care are definitely enticing and the gentle but intrepid Clover continues to charm; the story’s structure is also supportively solid and the mystery of the egg’s inhabitant is well paced. Fantasy and animal story fans will continue to enjoy spending time with Clover and her critters. Boiger’s sketchy monochromatic illustrations convey the cozy tone of the text, and the dainty Clover and the magical animals are appealing figures.
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Jen Robinson's Book Page
The Enchanted Egg is the second book in Kallie George's Magical Animal Adoption Agency series of illustrated chapter books, following Clover's Luck. These books are simply perfect for younger elementary age kids who enjoy books about caring for animals, and/or books about magic. In this installment, young Clover is once again left in charge at the Magical Animal Adoption Agency, where she started working three weeks earlier. Her boss, Mr. Jams, has gone off to find any expert who can help them care for whatever comes out of a mysterious large egg. Trouble ensues during Mr. Jams' absence, and Clover fears that as a small, non-magical being, she may not be up for the challenge. Young readers will, of course, know better.
Clover is an engaging heroine, insecure but determined, and slowly coming to a stronger sense of her own strengths. She has largely absent parents (necessary for this sort of story), but at least there are two of them, and they do make sure to leave her with food.
The book is filled with delightful magical tidbits, like a ghost baker who makes cupcakes so light that they float and a little Leprechaun girl dressed all in rainbow colors. These are lovingly captured by Alexandrea Boiger's pencil illustrations, large and small. One of my favorite details is on page four. The text says: "The back door of the Agency was hidden by dark green vines. The vines gave the door a secret feel, which Clover liked." On this page, a delicate drawing of vines covers the left and top margins. Small drawings bring to life everything from cupcakes to magical animal bathing apparatuses, while full-page illustrations bring the reader into Clover's world.
Really, what's not to like about a book that starts with this:
"An egg is full of possibilities. Especially an enchanted one. The tiniest egg can hold the most fearsome dragon. The biggest egg, the shiest sea serpent."
and includes a tiny green kitten who can form his tail into the shape of a question mark? The Magical Animal Adoption Agency series belongs in classrooms and libraries everywhere. I look forward to sharing these books with my daughter when she is just the tiniest bit older. Recommended!
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Jean Little Library Blogspot
Clover has returned in another sweet and gentle adventure at the Magical Animal Adoption Agency.
After her adventures with a witch, magical cat, and dragon in the first book, she feels ready to handle anything! Or....maybe not. Mr. Jams has to leave again, leaving Clover in charge of the mysterious and magical egg. Clover doesn't know what to write to her best friend who's away at camp and then things start going wrong. Giants show up, a floating pastry chef, and worst of all the egg hatches....but she can't find the baby!
Clover sticks it out, despite frustration and a few breakdowns and finally manages to solve the mystery of the hatched egg and realizes that, even without magic, she can still handle things in her own way, with care and kindness and determination.
Boiger's soft black and white illustrations and gently glowing cover will grab the attention of kids looking for a gentle fantasy read and those who have already been introduced to Clover's world and are eager to find out more. Although this series is usually labeled a "beginning chapter" I would call it more of an early middle grade. It does come in right around 100 pages, but the type is much smaller than a typical beginning chapter book and needs a more accomplished reader.
Verdict: Recommend this to readers who are ready to move on from the typical animal shelter beginning chapter book fare and can tackle a little more challenging read. Sweet and delightful to the last page. |
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Chapters
Age Range: 7-10 years
Grade Level: 3-7
Hardcover: 144 pages
Published in the USA by
Disney-Hyperion
ISBN: 978-1484701218
Published in Canada by
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
ISBN: 978-1443419833 |
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