A creaky house, a missing doll and an attic mirror that might lead somewhere it absolutely should not. That is a very good argument for spending an afternoon with a book.
Magic Elizabeth is getting a newly illustrated edition on October 6, 2026. Norma Kassirer’s children’s fantasy first appeared in 1966; this edition pairs the story with new full-color artwork by Mark Richardson.
The mystery starts with a painting
Eight-year-old Sally is staying with her Aunt Sarah when she finds a portrait of a girl holding a doll. The doll has disappeared, and an old mirror draws Sally into a mystery connected to the past.
An attic is already a place where every forgotten box seems to have a story. Give it a mysterious mirror and suddenly “go find something to do” has become a much more interesting assignment.
Check the edition if you are buying it as a gift
The new 224-page trade paperback is published by The Collective Book Studio. The U.S. list price is $15.99, with retailer prices potentially different. Its ISBN is 9781685558017.
That number is especially useful for a book with a long publishing history. If the new Richardson illustrations are what caught your eye, compare the ISBN on the listing instead of assuming every copy with the same title is this edition.
The publisher’s recommended age range is 8–12. For a child’s gift, I would start with whether they enjoy a sustained mystery about another time, then consider whether they prefer reading alone or sharing a book aloud. An age label can narrow the search; it cannot tell you what a particular kid wants to pick up after school.
October 6 is the release date, not an arrival promise
The publisher lists October 6 as the publication date and currently offers preorders. Check the seller’s delivery estimate if you have a specific birthday or visit in mind. A preorder and a book already sitting on the doorstep are not the same thing.
You can find the edition details and preview here. And for the reader who also loves building a tiny bookish world, there is that LEGO Bookstore book nook to investigate.
