The Disappearing Mr. Jacques by Gideon Sterer, Benjamin Chaud
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on August 23, 2022
ISBN: 0525579419
Pages: 40
Genres: Fantasy, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

While a neat magic trick is performed, this is not a magical book. Mr. Jacques has the ability to disappear and does so gradually for his audience to clearly see the transformation. As the magician vanishes from the pages, a watchful bunny becomes his timekeeper and partner. The art work is imaginative in drawings and font. On a two-page spread it is the creative placement of words that attracts the interest of readers. “The Disappearing Mr. Jacques” has moments of humor as the fading colors provide the appearance of his removal from the book.

Budding magicians or those interested in magic are Sterer’s audience, and there will be some primary grade readers who repeatedly check out this book from the library. School librarians who purchase this title should share it with art teachers.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, retired children’s librarian