Indian in the Cupboard

Amazon.com
What could be better than a magic cupboard that turns small toys into living creatures? Omri's big brother has no birthday present for him, so he gives Omri an old medicine cabinet he's found. Although their mother supplies a key, the cabinet still doesn't seem like much of a present. But when an exhausted Omri dumps a plastic toy Indian into the cabinet just before falling asleep, the magic begins. Turn the key once and the toy comes alive; turn it a second time and it's an action figure again.

The Indian in the Cupboard is one of those rare books that is equally appealing to children and adults. The story of Omri and the Indian, Little Bear, is replete with subtle reminders of the responsibilities that accompany friendship and love. For kids, it's a great yarn; for most parents, it's also a reminder that Omri's wrenching decision to send his toy back to its own world is not so different from the recognition of their children's emerging independence.

The Indian in the Cupboard is also available in Spanish (La Llave Magica.) (The publisher recommends this book for children ages 9-12, although younger kids will enjoy hearing it read aloud.)


"Lynne Reid Banks touches a nerve in young people-adults,too-and touches it with wit, excitement, and poignancy."


"A Superb Fantasy"


"A wondeful Story"

Review
"Skyhigh fantasy that will enthrall readers."--Publishers Weekly

"Best novel of the year (1981)."--The New York Times.

Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award, California Young Reader Medal, Pacific Northwest Young Readers Choice Award, A Virginia Young Readers Award.

Book Description

ANNOTATION

A nine-year-old boy receives a plastic Indian, a cupboard, and a little key for his birthday and finds himself involved in adventure when the Indian comes to life in the cupboard and befriends him.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

It all starts with a birthday present Omri doesn't even want-a small plastic Indian of no use to him at all. But when an old wooden cupboard and a special key bring the unusual toy to life, Omri's Indian becomes his most important secret: precious, dangerous, wonderful, and above all, magical.

FROM THE CRITICS

New York Times Book Review

The best novel of the year.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Deserves a place of honor beside Mary Norton's The Borrowers and E.B. White's Stuart Little. Lynne Reid Banks possesses that rare ability to blend the drama and humor of everyday life with utterly believable fantasy.

Lloyd Alexander

Lynne Reid Banks touches a nerve in young people-adults,too-and touches it with wit, excitement, and poignancy.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Deserves a place of honor beside Mary Norton's The Borrowersand E. B. White's Stuart Little. Lynne Reid Banks possesses that rareability to blend the drama and humor of everyday life with utterlybelievable fantasy.

Children's Literature - Elizabeth Colbroth