If I Had a Magic Carpet II: Key to Kindness

Laura Clarizio
PublishAmerica (2006)
ISBN 1424139856
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (11/06)

When William gives Miranda a magic carpet he asks her to promise to use it only to do good.  Ellery had the carpet at one time but he used it for evil.  He knew if he picked on someone Miranda would come to his or her rescue.  This time he bullied Jacob.  As Miranda flies to Jacob’s rescue she sees a train coming.  She tries to warn all the kids but Jacobs’s foot becomes stuck in the track.  When the two take a tumble off the carpet it becomes snared on the engine.

Sergeant Eddie, the policeman, told all the kids that it is dangerous to play close to train tracks.  He also told them that if anyone ever bullies them they should tell their parents or another adult.

Miranda had been studying the White House at school.  She decided that flying her carpet into the White House would be a good way to learn.  While on her adventure Miranda finds a beautiful jeweled key.  What new adventure could this magical key unlock?

In this day when few books teach morals it is refreshing to find a book that is based on morals.  This is a beautifully written story.  It is written simply enough that preschoolers can understand the message.  Lisa M. O’Rourke has done a fantastic job illustrating the text.  Her pencil drawings are well down and add to the story.  The message of this story is to fight evil with good.  The plot is well thought out and has enough adventure to hold the child’s interest.  I enjoyed this book and intend to share it with my grandchildren.  I highly recommend “If I Had a Magic Carpet II” for children 3-7 years of age. 

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