Excellent. Just excellent. The kind of children's book every grown-up should read, too. ( )

Lovely. Adorable. Heartwarming. ( )

I didn't enjoy this as much as most of those who have critiqued before me. (Spoilers follow.)
William and his little sister live with their parents. At the opening of the book, the father has left for unknown reasons, and may or may not come back. Mom promptly goes to the animal shelter and adopts four dogs and a cat. The four dogs talk. Williams sister and grandmother can hear them, but others in the family can't. But in time, William hears them too.
Dad returns, also for unknown reasons, and in time he too hears the dogs.
It is a sweet story. The weakness to me was the unknown nature of the father's departure. When he returns, he doesn't seem at all to be the sort of father who would leave his wife and two young children. For half the book he is absent and for the second half he is present. This seems to be the major theme of the book, and yet the author doesn't seem to have much to say about this major theme. Dad's absence and return seem almost irrelevant. ( )

This book teaches young readers that magic is real, about forgiveness, and about finding courage despite confusion or sadness. In this book, animals communicate with humans and have insights, opinions, and personalities of their own. It is a wonderful book for young readers that encourages imagination while teaching about the complications, conflicts, and challenges of human relationships. Waiting for the Magic helps readers to understand that relationships change sometimes, but that love can heal old wounds and bring new possibilities.

It's fun and frothy...and a story about the pain of a disrupted family. I felt happy often while reading it...and it was about the harsh realities of what it's like when a parent leaves. I loved the animals...and I grew to appreciate the humans, even the father who left. Bottom line for me: the world is full of great books that handle the pain and depression that ensues when parents split up. Thank goodness for one that addresses the issue frankly, doesn't downplay the sadness in any way, yet still offers the reader some happiness and comfortable hope. In this book the father comes back and everything ends well. Yes, I know that often that isn't the case in real life. I maintain there are enough books in which the sad outcome is explored. I was very happy with the ending of this book! ( )