Overview

As a young boy of seven, Harry is desperate to do something incredible - but what? A visit to the circus provides the answer when he sees the daring tightrope walker thrilling the audience. From that moment on, all Harry wants to do is to walk the tightrope. But how? His first try, on the family clothesline, ends in disaster but Harry's not about to give up yet. He starts practising in his every spare moment and in every location he can think of. Will he get to the other side or will he fall? (And will his pet chicken Banjoe be able to keep up?) An inspiring tale about one of history's most fascinating figures, Harry and the Highwire is essential reading for children, teaching them about the importance of ambition, hard work and, crucially, of believing in yourself, even when things seem impossible. The reverse side of this fun, fully fold-out book includes a biography and illustrated timeline of Houdini's life, along with a focus on three of his most famous tricks (and hints on how he did them). AUTHOR: Julie Carpenter is a journalist, writer and editor of over 20 years experience. After gaining a masters degree from Oxford University, she started out as a gossip columnist on The Daily Express. She then became a feature writer and theatre critic there for many years. She has also written news, comment, travel, magazine and lifestyle articles and contributed a regular Sunday Express column. Since having her own children, she found herself re-immersed in the wonderful world of children's literature and began editing for Green Bean Books. Harry and the High-Wire is her first children's story. Laura Catalán studied Anthropology at university before going on to pursue a more artistic path, starting with some classic drawing lessons in Cercle Artistic Sant Lluç in Barcelona while taking part in workshops for children's illustration. She has illustrated numerous fiction books and educational material for Spanish, UK and US publishing houses. Her picture books include Two Peas in a Pod, The Naughty Spectre and Daughter of the God Sülde and, for Green Bean Books, The Chocolate King.

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9781784388362

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Reviews

""A delightful and well-done Houdini book for children.""-- ""wildabouthoudini.com"" ""Carpenter's language is simple and direct, and Catalán's pictures allow for shifts between characters' perspectives...The story and illustrations convey both Harry's individual sense of commitment and the community's faith in his dream.""--Emily Schneider, Jewish Book Council ""This unique book, which opens like a concertina to 4 metres wide, holds an inspiring tale, outlining the progress that Harry goes through to become the performer as which he is known throughout the world. One side of the concertina tells of his determination to be a daring tight-rope walker, and an escape artist. The reverse side of this fun, fully fold-out book includes a biography, and full and colourful illustrations of his life and tricks... An amazing book for 5-10 year olds.""--Hilary Schuman, West London Synagogue ""After seeing The Great Weitzman walk the tightrope at a circus, a boy called Harry is inspired to emulate him. He begins with the washing line at home - but many falls lie between him and success. Harry and the Highwire, Houdini's First Amazing Act by Julie Carpenter has an innovative fold-out structure. Side A is a joyful picture book, with playful graphics, and intricate illustrations by Laura Catalán. Side B, for older readers, provides a fabulously decorated timeline and discusses some of Houdini's most impressive illusions, such as the vanishing elephant. Age five to adult.""--Angela Kiverstein ""The Jewish Chronicle"" ""Picture book biography Harry and The High Wire takes place during Houdini's childhood, when he became enthralled with a tightrope walking act at the circus. For an ordinary boy, this taste of the extraordinary sparked his first interest in the performative arts... The fully fold-out book is cleverly laid out so that the art continues on the pages that eventually lay out to 4 meters wide (that's 157.48 inches to us Americans). The art flows to these wider spreads with a lamp wire becoming a clothesline, flowing into a tree and then a tightrope. The engaging drawings feature different points of view, including an aerial shot looking down at Harry on the high-wire. Great attention to detail gives the art a welcoming, familiar feel. One side of the fold-out is the story of Harry learning to walk the high wire; the other side offers a peek into some of his amazing tricks, a timeline, and a biography.""--Shanna Silva ""SydneyTaylorSchmooze.com""

"""Picture book biography Harry and The High Wire takes place during Houdini's childhood, when he became enthralled with a tightrope walking act at the circus. For an ordinary boy, this taste of the extraordinary sparked his first interest in the performative arts... The fully fold-out book is cleverly laid out so that the art continues on the pages that eventually lay out to 4 meters wide (that's 157.48 inches to us Americans). The art flows to these wider spreads with a lamp wire becoming a clothesline, flowing into a tree and then a tightrope. The engaging drawings feature different points of view, including an aerial shot looking down at Harry on the high-wire. Great attention to detail gives the art a welcoming, familiar feel. One side of the fold-out is the story of Harry learning to walk the high wire; the other side offers a peek into some of his amazing tricks, a timeline, and a biography.""--Shanna Silva ""SydneyTaylorSchmooze.com"""

Author Information

Julie Carpenter is a journalist, writer and editor of over 20 years experience. After gaining a masters degree from Oxford University, she started out as a gossip columnist on The Daily Express. She then became a feature writer and theatre critic there for many years. She has also written news, comment, travel, magazine and lifestyle articles and contributed a regular Sunday Express column. Since having her own children, she found herself re-immersed in the wonderful world of children's literature and began editing for Green Bean Books. Harry and the High-Wire is her first children's story. Laura Catalán has illustrated numerous fiction books and educational material for Spanish, UK, and US publishing houses. Her picture books include Two Peas in a Pod, The Naughty Spectre, and Daughter of the God Sülde.

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