Magic Elizabeth

Selected by the American Booksellers Association as a 2026 Best Book for Young Readers, this newly illustrated edition of a beloved middle-grade fantasy classic brings magic, mystery, and a doorway into the past to a new generation.

When eight-year-old Sally is sent to spend the summer in a creaky old house with her elderly Aunt Sarah and a decidedly unfriendly cat, she expects weeks of boredom and loneliness. But everything changes when she discovers a mysterious painting of a little girl holding a doll and learns that the doll, Elizabeth, vanished long ago.

Drawn by curiosity, Sally ventures into the attic, where an old mirror seems to open a doorway into another time. As she searches for the missing doll and the truth behind the painting, Sally discovers a story of friendship, empathy, and love that reaches across generations.

First published in 1966, Magic Elizabeth now returns with brand-new full-color illustrations by Mark Richardson. This beloved children's classic invites today's readers into a timeless world of mystery, warmth, and wonder.

Here’s what makes Magic Elizabeth a classic fantasy for a new generation:

• A Beloved Children’s Classic Returns: A long-out-of-print favorite is available again for parents, grandparents, teachers, librarians, and new readers.

• A Magical Journey into the Past: A mysterious attic mirror, a lost doll named Elizabeth, and a long-ago friendship create a classic children’s fantasy for ages 8–12.

• Brand-New Full-Color Artwork: New illustrations by Mark Richardson bring fresh visual life to Norma Kassirer’s timeless story.

• Perfect for Independent Reading or Sharing Aloud: A nostalgic favorite for adults and a moving story of imagination, kindness, and love for young readers.

Magic Elizabeth is a classic middle-grade fantasy novel about a magic mirror, a missing doll named Elizabeth, and a mystery that reaches into the past. This beloved children’s classic remains a moving reminder that imagination, kindness, and love can travel across time.