The Magic Pot

by Patricia Coombs

A demon in the guise of a magic pot outwits a greedy rich man and brings wealth and happiness to a poor old fellow and his wife.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Picture Books

36 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Patricia Coombs was born on July 23, 1926 in Los Angeles, California and during her school age years lived in Hawaii, Boston, New York, and San Francisco. She was always reading books and would hide in unusual places to avoid getting caught reading instead of playing. She attended DePauw University, Michigan State University, and received her bachelor's and master's degrees in English from the University of Washington. She also studied poetry at New York University.

In 1962, Coombs wrote and illustrated Dorrie's Magic, inspired by her two daughters and their Siamese cat named Dingbat. The book was highly praised by the New York Times Book Review, and Coombs went on to create the "Dorrie the Little Witch" series. She wrote 20 stories about Dorrie and her adventures as a little witch over the next 30 years, ending with Dorrie and the Haunted Schoolhouse in 1992.

Coombs has also illustrated for other authors and contributed to Poetry Magazine.

From: Major Authors and Illustrators, pp. 562-564, courtesy of The de Grummond Children's Literature Collection at The University of Southern Mississippi and Wikipedia.org

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

A poor old man goes to ask for work and food at the home of a wealthy neighbor, only to be turned away with nothing. Little does he know that the pot he finds by the side of the road, on his way home, is really a "funny little demon" in disguise, and that his luck is about to change! "Hucka-pucka" says the magic (demon) pot, and soon the old man, his wife, and their little cat have more than enough to eat...

Another charming picture-book from Patricia Coombs, whose series of early-readers detailing the adventures of Dorrie the Little Witch gave me so many hours of pleasure as a girl, The Magic Pot has a very folkloric feel to it. The illustrations are vintage Coombs, from the patched couple to the adorable cat!

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This became a fast favorite! The kids insisted I read it twice tonight and have already made plans to check it out again. ❤️

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting tale about an old man who pleads with a rich man for some work and food. When he denies him everything, the old man goes back home to his starving wife, but on the way home he spots a black pot that some demon of sorts has possessed. The demon feels terrible for the old couple and what comes next is a type of Jack and the Beanstalk story but in this case, a demon pot that goes to the rich man's house and comes back to the old couple with things to help them live out the rest of their days in comfort. Neat little revenge story with a fun ending. The Magic Pot (1977) by Patricia Coombs is a charmingly told tale that teaches those who have more should take care of those who have less. My rating - 4/5

[Savannah Domeyer]

This is a story about a magic pot. This mother and daughter where poor and hungry. So the daughter went into the woods to find food and found a magic pot that made as much porridge as they wanted. So the daughter took it back home and they had supper that night. The next day the mother was hungry so she made porridge but couldn't stop the pot. The porridge ended up overflowing and into the house, and in the street.

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I realize that this is fiction and fantasy, it still seems unlikely to me that a demon would want to help anybody, no matter what their circumstances. However this demon helped a poor couple by stealing from the rich man down the road (who had refused to give the poor, elderly man any work). And, on top of that, the demon gave the selfish rich man his comeuppance. The illustrations are mostly black and white, with little touches of orange here and there.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love old kids books. This was great.

[Karim Elmenshawy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I need one..........I really liked it.......

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my childhood favorites! An old tale but a good one.

[Malia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Redistribute that wealth, demon! This book rules.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hah! I would have loved this tale of justice when I was a child. And how lucky for the Devil that he got the soul of a sinner without having to write up a loophole-free contract....

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love her illustrations. Her books elicit such fond memories of childhood and filling our arms with books to borrow from the library.

[Min · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another delightful Patricia Coombs book is now in my memory. I came to this author very late, so I am making up for the lost time by aiming to read all of her books.
This is set perfectly as a new fairy tale. It follows all of the rules about respect, and gratitude to those that help, and those that are mean are punished.

[Linda (NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS) · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE MAGIC POT was published in 1977 but the wonderful story and the awesome pictures make it a stand-out book to read to kids 4 and older today. Meant to teach a lesson, it is about a poor couple who meet a good little demon who has turned himself into a black metal pot.

A neighbor who has everything has turned the old man away with the words, "If you are too old to eat, you are too old to work." Heartbroken, he dreads telling his wife what has happened when he mysteriously comes upon a pot in the road. He takes it home where it stays for a short while before it says, "hucka-pucka" and off it goes. Each time it visits the neighbor and comes back with something to help the old couple.

The pictures that Mrs. Coombs illustrated are just as good as the story. The expressions on the faces are very descriptive. Their skinny little cat is fun to watch, too. Drawn in black and white with little dabs of red, you will pause at each page to take in everything. No matter if you have children or grandkids I would encourage you to find a copy of this much-loved fable. It is a remarkable short story.

[Cherie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. I still have my copy from when I was young and my mom would read this to me every night, sometimes twice. I just loved it that much as a kid and I love it that much now. Read this to your children. Do it.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as a child & was fortunate enough to find it later on in life.

[Meredith C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book as a child and I loved reading it to my own small children. Love it when the bad guy gets it in the end.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite children's book to this day. :)

[Saffron Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This rating is for the edition adapted and illustrated by Patricia Coombs.

[Lisa Ulibarri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books is one that is sure to entertain those of all ages who enjoy the stories with a lesson to go with it.

[Jefe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hucka Pucka! My favorite book as a kid

[Mylksnake Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read to baby Jan 8th, 2010.

[Madison O'Hara]

Good folktale about greed and money. It is a well written book that has good illustrations. Good way to bring the idea that money can't always buy happiness into play and introduced into the classroom. Easy for children to get the main idea of this book.