The disappearing Mr. Jacques

In an approach that vaguely recalls Tullet's Press Here, Sterer uses the pages of a book to represent an interactive magic act. In glib stage patter, the magician, portrayed with light skin and brown hair, introduces himself: "I am the astonishing, bewildering, disappearing Mr. Jacques." Chaud draws the magician in top hat, tails, a flashy red bow tie, and a glittery-eyed stare. After a dramatic build-up ("Look at me... while you still can"), the figure begins to fade. Over a series of carefully graded spreads, he becomes fainter and fainter in contrast to a rabbit sidekick who remains vividly present. Another page turn, and Mr. Jacques disappears altogether, leaving behind a blank page. Yet "you can still hear my voice, can't you?" Though the "voice" is just words on the page, the effect is surprisingly powerful, and the act continues. At last, if readers follow the stated directions, Mr. Jacques demonstrates that readers, too, have magic powers--of a sort. It's a work of entertainment that produces an eerie sense of presence. Ages 4--7. (Aug.)

With a stream of stagey patter, a magician invites willing viewers to participate in an exploit that will test their imaginations to the utmost. Many magicians seem to disappear with the help of curtains or other props, but only Mr. Jacques--properly kitted out in Chaud's minimally detailed scenes with wand, top hat, twirly mustache, and smiling rabbit assistant--will actually fade out before your eyes in the span of just a few page turns. "Can you find me?" Mr. Jacques teases from an empty spread. "Am I…perched atop your head? // Not anymore." "Make a fist. I will reappear inside your hand…but if you open it, I will vanish." Perhaps to take an invisible leap…and "land upon your nose!" Or, appealing to another sense, very careful listeners just might hear subtle audio cues. Reappearing suddenly, the pale-skinned performer at last invites sharp observers to watch closely as magician and rabbit fade one last time and promise to teach the trick…to anyone, again, who can find them. Readers willing to suspend disbelief (or play along) may or may not succeed but will certainly come away seeing, feeling, and listening to everything more attentively. (This book was reviewed digitally.) The power of suggestion works its usual magic. (Picture book. 6-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.