Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Rich bio shows how books were master showman's superpower.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
The boy who would become Harry Houdini—born Erik Weisz—was the son of a Hungarian rabbi who immigrated with his family to the United States in the mid-1870s when he was 4. After his family fell into poverty following his dad losing his job, young Erik stepped up to earn money to support his parents and siblings. His father passed on to him a love of books and reading, and one day after he got off work in his factory job in New York City, he found a book in a 10-cent bin at a used bookstore by Robert Houdin, the so-called Father of Modern Magic. Before he turned the last page, "he dreamed of a life in magic." And he later took a version of Houdin's name for his magician's stage name. HOUDINI'S LIBRARY traces his life as both a master magician and escape artist and a passionate book collector and reader. "I live in a library," he once told a reporter. And his collection at his home in a Harlem Brownstone did grow to 15,000 volumes before his death from a burst appendix in 1926.
Is It Any Good?
This rich, beautifully illustrated biography highlights a side of Houdini many people have not known, his love of books. His passion makes him a great role model for young readers in addition to any inspiration he might be for kids to follow their dream and work hard to be a success. He's also an inspiration for immigrants who overcome poverty and other obstacles to make their mark in their new land. Mar Delmar's art in Houdini's Library is amazing, a bold mix of collage, photography, and 3D scenes that lend a you-are-there quality to the historical settings.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the passion for books shown in Houdini's Library. Is there something you collect? What is it? Or is there something you'd like to start collecting? Can you imagine filling your whole house with your collection? Where would you put it all?
It took a lot of courage and perseverance for Houdini to become a master magician. Do you think you could be brave enough to follow your dream of success and stick with it? What would you choose to be?
Which picture in the book shows the biggest challenge for an escape artist? Which pictures did you like the best?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Mar Delmar
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Arts , Family Stories ( Dads ) , History
- Character Strengths : Communication , Courage , Curiosity , Perseverance , Self-control , Teamwork
- Book type : Non-Fiction
- Publisher : Alfred A. Knopf
- Publication date : February 10, 2026
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 48
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : February 19, 2026
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