Our Story Magic

Our Story Magic is a collection of enchanting and compelling tales written by Gcina Mhlophe, South Africa’s most popular performance storyteller. The illustrations are by artists from Mhlophe’s home province of Kwa-Zulu Natal. Read and share these eleven stories with the love that went into creating them.

In her powerful and inspiring memoir, Cookie Johnson, wife of NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, shares details of her marriage, motherhood, faith, and how an HIV diagnosis twenty-five years ago changed the course of their lives forever. On November 7, 1991, basketball icon Earvin “Magic” Johnson stunned the world with the news that he was HIV-positive. For the millions who watched, his announcement became a pivotal moment not only for the nation, but for his family and wife. Twenty-five years later, Cookie Johnson shares her story and the emotional journey that started on that day—from life as a pregnant and joyous newlywed to one filled with the fear that her husband would die, that she and her baby would be infected with the virus, and that their family would be shunned. Believing in Magic is the story of Cookie’s marriage to Earvin—nearly four decades of loving each other, losing their way, and eventually finding a path they never imagined. Never before has Cookie shared her full account of the reasons she stayed and her life with Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Believing in Magic is her very personal story of survival and triumph as a wife, mother, and faith-filled woman.

There are billions of families, a million ways to be. But in my magic family it's Mama, Mum and me! Let's tell our family stories, adding magic to what's true, and we'll find out who's who to me, and who is who to you . . . In this celebratory, reassuring rhyming story a little girl with two mummies shares the magic of her family and discovers how magic all her friends' families are, too. This is a warm, funny read-aloud that's perfect for opening up conversations about different families in a playful, creative way.

Twelve-year-old Kaya must harness the power of story magic—ignoring her society's bias against female magic wielders and her own internalized fear that her magic will cause bad luck—to save her brother and find herself.

Romy van Mader has written the visionary novel to touch hearts and to bring eyes to shine and to remind us that the real magic power lies in every one of us, because: „Believe in miracles, because you are one for yourself!” Have a good time reading!

Every love story has a breaking point... From the author of Paperweight comes the star-crossed romance of two high school friends in a tale rife with deeply buried secrets and shocking revelations. BEFORE: Bridge and Wil have been entangled in each other’s lives for years. Under the white-hot Florida sun, they went from kids daring each other to swim past the breakers to teenagers stealing kisses between classes. But when Bridge betrayed Wil during their junior year, she shattered his heart and their relationship along with it. AFTER: When Wil’s family suffers a violent loss, and Bridge rushes back to Wil’s side. As they struggle to heal old wounds and start falling for each other all over again, Bridge and Wil discover just how much has changed in the past year. Though they once knew each other’s every secret, they aren’t the same people they used to be. Bridge can’t imagine life without Wil, but sometimes love isn’t enough. Can they find their way back to each other, or will this be the end of their story?

Introducing a bewitching world of mystery and magic, this collection of stories includes tales of singing elves with magical feet, skeletons that move of their own accord and a heroic blackbird who outwits a powerful king. Includes storytime audiobook read by the author.