What do you think?
Rate this book
Milo's Hat Trick
After failing to perform any good magic tricks during his show, Milo is close to losing his job, but while searching for a rabbit in the woods, Milo encounters a clever bear and quickly decides to use him for his next great trick that is sure to wow the audience. 40,000 first printing.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2001
7 people are currently reading
242 people want to read
About the author
Jon Agee
53 books162 followersI grew up in Nyack, New York, just up the street from the Hudson River. In our house, there was always an art project going on.
My early drawings were very animated: a lot of stuff zipping around, airplanes, racing cars, football players. No surprise my first published drawing was a pack of rats running along a highway (The Rat Race). I did that for the New York Times Op Ed page when I was still in high school.
I went to college at The Cooper Union School of Art in New York City. I studied painting, sculpture and filmmaking, but what I loved doing most—in my spare time—was drawing cartoons and comic strips.
When I graduated, I hauled my pile of doodles into the offices of a bunch of editors, with the wild notion that somebody might publish them. When that failed, I wrote a story for kids to go with my pictures (If Snow Falls). It was two sentences long (which counts, by the way). Frances Foster, a wonderful editor at Random House, saw something in that book and signed me up.
The next book, Ellsworth, was about a dog who teaches economics at a university. When he gets home, he throws off his clothes and acts like a dog, which is fine, until some fellow teachers discover this and he loses his job. Somebody told me that Ellsworth was a story about "being yourself." I never realized it had a moral.
I moved to another publisher with Ludlow Laughs, the story of a grumpy guy who laughs in his sleep. This book was doing very poorly until the comedienne Phyliss Diller read it on PBS's Reading Rainbow. It stayed in print for over twenty years.
My fourth book, The Incredible Painting of Felix Clousseau, was a hit. One of the first people to see it and give it the thumb's up—literally, hot off the press—was Maurice Sendak. We bumped into each other at the printers. It was a lucky first meeting, and happily not our last.
That was all a long time ago. Since then I've written many other picture books, illustrated a few by other authors, and created a series of offbeat wordplay books, beginning with the book of palindromes, Go Hang a Salami! I'm a Lasagna Hog!
I visit schools across the country and sometimes around the globe. I live with my wife, Audrey, in San Francisco.
My early drawings were very animated: a lot of stuff zipping around, airplanes, racing cars, football players. No surprise my first published drawing was a pack of rats running along a highway (The Rat Race). I did that for the New York Times Op Ed page when I was still in high school.
I went to college at The Cooper Union School of Art in New York City. I studied painting, sculpture and filmmaking, but what I loved doing most—in my spare time—was drawing cartoons and comic strips.
When I graduated, I hauled my pile of doodles into the offices of a bunch of editors, with the wild notion that somebody might publish them. When that failed, I wrote a story for kids to go with my pictures (If Snow Falls). It was two sentences long (which counts, by the way). Frances Foster, a wonderful editor at Random House, saw something in that book and signed me up.
The next book, Ellsworth, was about a dog who teaches economics at a university. When he gets home, he throws off his clothes and acts like a dog, which is fine, until some fellow teachers discover this and he loses his job. Somebody told me that Ellsworth was a story about "being yourself." I never realized it had a moral.
I moved to another publisher with Ludlow Laughs, the story of a grumpy guy who laughs in his sleep. This book was doing very poorly until the comedienne Phyliss Diller read it on PBS's Reading Rainbow. It stayed in print for over twenty years.
My fourth book, The Incredible Painting of Felix Clousseau, was a hit. One of the first people to see it and give it the thumb's up—literally, hot off the press—was Maurice Sendak. We bumped into each other at the printers. It was a lucky first meeting, and happily not our last.
That was all a long time ago. Since then I've written many other picture books, illustrated a few by other authors, and created a series of offbeat wordplay books, beginning with the book of palindromes, Go Hang a Salami! I'm a Lasagna Hog!
I visit schools across the country and sometimes around the globe. I live with my wife, Audrey, in San Francisco.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
March 6, 2023
Read for my toddler's bedtime. An interesting magic trick read.
Thank you Dolly Parton's Imagination Library for the gifted copy.
Thank you Dolly Parton's Imagination Library for the gifted copy.
January 11, 2019
”TA-DA!”
Milo the Magician is in search of a rabbit for a new trick to wow audiences. But Milo didn’t find a rabbit. He found a bear instead! Magic holds all kinds of secrets. Come see what kind of trick Milo learned from a bear, who learned it from a rabbit.
Mr. Agee knows how to spin a tale. This one will have you peeking inside your hat before you put it on. You might find a rabbit or…a bear. :)
A fun read with a big finish told in a very matter of fact, fun way. I'm kind of in love with Agee's style right now. Off to find more...
Recommended.
April 30, 2022
Never was a magician less aptly named than Milo the Magnificent. Hopelessly incompetent, he couldn't even do a decent hat trick. When his stage manager gave him an ultimatum - pull a rabbit out of his hat, or leave the company - our hero set out for the woods, in order to find the required leporine assistant. What he found instead was a bear, a bear with a special talent. And so began a hilarious series of adventures, as Milo and the bear become separated on their way into the city, only to be reunited at the right time...
As a great admirer of author/artist Jon Agee's picture-books, which always keep me entertained with their droll humor and amusing illustrations, I am very pleased that Milo's Hat Trick, originally published in 2001, and subsequently out of print, has been republished in this new (2017) edition. An engaging story, one which will keep young children amused with its tale of a bumbling magician who finds his way in the end, is paired with hilarious cartoon-style illustrations in Agee's own inimitable style. Recommended to all fellow Jon Agee fans, and to anyone looking for children's stories about magicians, bears, and/or amusing adventures.
As a great admirer of author/artist Jon Agee's picture-books, which always keep me entertained with their droll humor and amusing illustrations, I am very pleased that Milo's Hat Trick, originally published in 2001, and subsequently out of print, has been republished in this new (2017) edition. An engaging story, one which will keep young children amused with its tale of a bumbling magician who finds his way in the end, is paired with hilarious cartoon-style illustrations in Agee's own inimitable style. Recommended to all fellow Jon Agee fans, and to anyone looking for children's stories about magicians, bears, and/or amusing adventures.
May 17, 2020
Failing magician Milo needs to come up with an exciting new trick - fast!
I usually love Agee, but this one didn't thrill me.
I usually love Agee, but this one didn't thrill me.
December 27, 2022
Milo (my son) got this for Christmas. Really delightful. My kinda humor.
May 21, 2009
I've read this book aloud around 100 times and it never gets old. It stands as almost one of Plato's Forms for a picture book. I could never use the word economical to praise an author's prose more highly.
Milo is a terrible magician whose manager tells him to develop a Rabbit Out of the Hat trick, or else. Milo goes to the park to catch a rabbit and on the next page finds a bear chomping on the carrot. Luckily, the bear is an expert at dissapearing into hats.
And so begin Milo and the bear's perfectly handled misadventures in this lovely, calm, subtle, brilliant and hilarious picture book. Agee tells half the story through the pictures. The whimsy, imagination, and impossible-becoming-possible are all there. This book hypnotizes children and gives me that "in the presence of a genius" feeling usually reserved for listening to albums by great musicians.
It's so frickin' good. One of the best books I've ever read, children's or otherwise.
Milo is a terrible magician whose manager tells him to develop a Rabbit Out of the Hat trick, or else. Milo goes to the park to catch a rabbit and on the next page finds a bear chomping on the carrot. Luckily, the bear is an expert at dissapearing into hats.
And so begin Milo and the bear's perfectly handled misadventures in this lovely, calm, subtle, brilliant and hilarious picture book. Agee tells half the story through the pictures. The whimsy, imagination, and impossible-becoming-possible are all there. This book hypnotizes children and gives me that "in the presence of a genius" feeling usually reserved for listening to albums by great musicians.
It's so frickin' good. One of the best books I've ever read, children's or otherwise.
November 9, 2021
Phew, finally managed to hit the right button. Apparently I am more tired than I thought.
This was a pretty cute book. You wouldn't think so considering that the main character is a scruffy, red-headed magician with a big nose who clearly needs a shave and a hair cut, but it was. Milo is a down and out magician who just can't seem to do anything right until he meets a friendly bear who teaches him his ways.
It was cute. I would read this to kids and I think they would enjoy it.
Story: Narrative
Art: Okay
Price: $12.57 for the hard cover, free to listen on Amazon.
This was a pretty cute book. You wouldn't think so considering that the main character is a scruffy, red-headed magician with a big nose who clearly needs a shave and a hair cut, but it was. Milo is a down and out magician who just can't seem to do anything right until he meets a friendly bear who teaches him his ways.
It was cute. I would read this to kids and I think they would enjoy it.
Story: Narrative
Art: Okay
Price: $12.57 for the hard cover, free to listen on Amazon.
August 18, 2015
The story is fairly inventive for a children's book, and my daughter enjoyed it. I just wish the illustrations had been better.
February 25, 2021
Another enjoyable Imagination Library book. Both of my kids, but especially my toddler, enjoyed this book.
It was fun reading about the helpful bear that Milo finds to star in his magic show. Not only does the bear he’ll save Milo’s show, he even teaches Milo a few things.
The story kept my kids’ attention, and the illustrations were okay, if a little dated.
It was fun reading about the helpful bear that Milo finds to star in his magic show. Not only does the bear he’ll save Milo’s show, he even teaches Milo a few things.
The story kept my kids’ attention, and the illustrations were okay, if a little dated.
September 4, 2017
Not everyone will enjoy the sly & surreal genius of Jon Agee, but for those of us who are fans, this is a treat. And judging by the condition of my library copy, it's a hit with at least some other readers!
December 30, 2018
Milo the magnificent magician isn't very magnificent...or very magical. He needs a better hat trick, so he goes searching for a bunny to pull out of his hat. Instead he finds a bear that can jump into his hat. His tricks with the bear receive rave reviews.
June 27, 2022
I sure do love this book - can't wait to share it with my people! Milo tugged at my heart and I was so delighted with the ending.
February 19, 2023
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
July 20, 2024
Stumbled across this book as a walk through story at a rest area in Ohio. Super cute story.
February 6, 2017
Milo's Hat Trick is a book about a magician in need to learn a new trick to perform. Milo went out to search for a rabbit, but instead of catching a rabbit, he caught a bear. To Milo's amazement the bear was taught how to jump in the magician hat. Later in the story, Milo lost his hat, which had the bear hidden in it. Milo found the hat and the bear, and they performed for a large crowd which were very amused that a bear could fit in a hat. The bear then became very tired from jumping in and out of hats all day long and so Milo had to find a new trick. In the end, Milo learned to jump in and out of his own hat to show all of his audiences.
I love this book and I think that it is very cute. In the book Milo didn't think the bear could jump in the hat, but the bear proves him wrong saying that the rabbit told him how to do it. I appreciate this part, because it shows that we shouldn't assume that someone can or can't do something. It also demonstrates believing in yourself.
I could use this book with many different things in speech therapy. While reading the book, the therapist can stop and ask the client what they think is going to happen next. Inferencing is a big part of speech/ language therapy and this book is a great example of that. Something else that the clients can work on through this book is the expanding of vocabulary. There were many words that we do not use daily so the book would be a great way to introduce new words.
I love this book and I think that it is very cute. In the book Milo didn't think the bear could jump in the hat, but the bear proves him wrong saying that the rabbit told him how to do it. I appreciate this part, because it shows that we shouldn't assume that someone can or can't do something. It also demonstrates believing in yourself.
I could use this book with many different things in speech therapy. While reading the book, the therapist can stop and ask the client what they think is going to happen next. Inferencing is a big part of speech/ language therapy and this book is a great example of that. Something else that the clients can work on through this book is the expanding of vocabulary. There were many words that we do not use daily so the book would be a great way to introduce new words.
May 10, 2021
Milo is an inept magician in need of improving his hat trick to save his job.
Milo is a struggling magician. He has trouble with his rope trick, his card trick, and his hat trick. Finally, the theatre manager demands that Milo pull a rabbit out of his hat during his next performance, or it will be curtains for his career.
Milo takes the train out to the country to try to catch a rabbit. He doesn’t succeed in finding a rabbit, but he meets a bear who volunteers to help him with his hat trick. There is a mix up on the train, but Milo and the bear reunite, and his new hat trick is a hit.
Disclosure: Dolly Parton was kind enough to send our family this book through her Imagination Library Foundation.
Milo is a struggling magician. He has trouble with his rope trick, his card trick, and his hat trick. Finally, the theatre manager demands that Milo pull a rabbit out of his hat during his next performance, or it will be curtains for his career.
Milo takes the train out to the country to try to catch a rabbit. He doesn’t succeed in finding a rabbit, but he meets a bear who volunteers to help him with his hat trick. There is a mix up on the train, but Milo and the bear reunite, and his new hat trick is a hit.
Disclosure: Dolly Parton was kind enough to send our family this book through her Imagination Library Foundation.
November 9, 2017
This was a funny book. The failing magician needs a rabbit to pull out of his to save his act, but he finds a cooperative bear instead. The bear conveniently has already learned to perform the trick from a rabbit friend and agrees to help the magician. The bear, hiding inside the hat, gets separated from the magician on the way to the stage and has to find his way back to the magician in time for the show. Everything works out in the nick of time and Milo the Magician gets famous. Eventually the bear tires out and decides to return to his cave, but not before imparting the workings of the trick to Milo so that Milo can soldier on with a slight change in his act. I loved it.
June 4, 2018
This book was hilarious. When the bear jumped out on the dining table, we all laughed! The last page was a hoot!
April 15, 2018
A magician named Milo is almost fired because he cannot pull a rabbit out of a hat. He finds a bear who can fit into a hat which he intends to bring to his next performance. The bear gets lost in the city on the way back the magician's stage, but finds his way at the perfect time in the act and delights the audience with his trick. The bear and magician perform together night after night, gaining fame and appreciation from each new audience. After a while, the bear gets tired, so the magician takes him home. The magician is not in too much trouble though, because the bear has taught him a trick he can do all on his own. The story is relatively simple and straight forward, but the addition of magic and an animal make it fun and entertaining. I loved the colorful illustrations which did an excellent job of depicting the character's emotions, setting, and movement.
The character of Milo is well developed, however I wish we got to know the bear better. We are not told where Milo finds him nor how the bear learned to do his trick. I love the theme in the story that you can do things when you believe, but parents beware that it may send your children trying to jump into hats themselves!
The character of Milo is well developed, however I wish we got to know the bear better. We are not told where Milo finds him nor how the bear learned to do his trick. I love the theme in the story that you can do things when you believe, but parents beware that it may send your children trying to jump into hats themselves!
September 16, 2019
I like this book because it was about someone who did a hat trick; he could do every magic trick, but pull out the rabbit from your hat, which I think is the most easiest one. COME ON! WHAT?! Why couldn't he do it? So, I guess he couldn't do magic anymore. So, he got a bear instead of a rabbit (he DID use a carrot, which I thought only rabbits liked), and the bear taught him to do something like pretend your body is rubber and jump into the hat. Then one day he was sleeping; he didn't know if he could do the trick for him, but he did it and that's what he did! Instead of pull out the rabbit from your hat, because I guess that was the hardest one for him, so I guess that was the end for him, or I don't know. I wish there was a whole series of this!
So, I guess that's the end of my review. And... goodbye review!
So, I guess that's the end of my review. And... goodbye review!
December 8, 2018
Went looking for a different book in the school library. Spotted this on the shelf. Librarian hadn't read it but endorsed Jon Agee. A quick look through made it something that looked worthwhile. I like magic and this seemed like it would be fun.
And it was! Milo was no good as a magician. The club owner told him he needed to be able to pull a rabbit out of his hat. Milo went looking for a rabbit. Instead, he found a bear. The bear was nice. He was able to hide in a hat. After some antics, the bear taught Milo the trick. Milo is now a hit sensation as a magician. :)
And it was! Milo was no good as a magician. The club owner told him he needed to be able to pull a rabbit out of his hat. Milo went looking for a rabbit. Instead, he found a bear. The bear was nice. He was able to hide in a hat. After some antics, the bear taught Milo the trick. Milo is now a hit sensation as a magician. :)
January 13, 2021
I don't know if I can ever give a children's books a rating above "i liked it", but my children liked it a lot and so I will rate it on their behalf.
Basically, it is a book about a rabbit that teaches a magician how to avoid every meet and greet after a show... It's actually not about that at all, but that is how it ends. It's 20 years old and so I don't feel I'm spoiling it and most of the children who grew up with it are voting and having families of their own; although I am just a stranger to it all.
Basically, it is a book about a rabbit that teaches a magician how to avoid every meet and greet after a show... It's actually not about that at all, but that is how it ends. It's 20 years old and so I don't feel I'm spoiling it and most of the children who grew up with it are voting and having families of their own; although I am just a stranger to it all.
June 26, 2021
Milo's hat trick is about a magician who isn't good at his job so he goes to find a rabbit to pull out of his hat and instead he finds a bear that knows how to hide in a hat. Will the bear be able to help Milo at the theatre to save his job?
I would recommend this book to everybody because I think people will like what Milo's hat trick ends up being. My favorite part is the bear because he pops out of the hat and I think it is funny.
I would recommend this book to everybody because I think people will like what Milo's hat trick ends up being. My favorite part is the bear because he pops out of the hat and I think it is funny.
May 30, 2020
Not my favorite Agee book, but still a very clever little magic trick. Agee illustrations are all kinda classic feeling - dated, depending on your preferences. Simple text makes it easy for a read-aloud, plus a fair amount of the story is through the pictures - makes for a good discussion. Something I'd pull out for storytimes on hats, magic, bears...
February 6, 2023
A real romp. Milo's initial tricks are "pathetic" (HA!). Mr. Popovich - what a name - is threatening to fire him. Milo needs to find an animal companion for his next trick. I love, LOVE the subtle cues of NYC-ness - riding the subway, Mr. Popovich's super Slavic name, I can just hear the New Yawk accent.
November 13, 2017
November 2017 - this is one of my favorites to read aloud to school groups visiting the library, since the ending always gets them. Ben has enjoyed a bunch of Agee's other picture books and loved the drama of this one. It has such great comic timing.
January 17, 2019
This is the first Agee book I've read and I thought it was...fine. It was fun to read with a 3 year old, and he stayed engaged and wanted to talk about what was happening, which was great. But I found the illustrations mediocre and a little outdated (Mr. Popovich's smoking?).
June 11, 2024
I grabbed this off the shelf as a class walked in, having just noticed it the day before. It went over very well, with some kindergarteners trying hard to demonstrate that they too could make themselves fit into a hat.
September 30, 2024
Modern Fantasy
Kindergarten-2nd Grade
This picture book is a wonderful story about friendship, hopefulness, and magic. I really liked how simple detailed the story is with a deeper meaning! Students will definitely enjoy this read for any time of the day.
Kindergarten-2nd Grade
This picture book is a wonderful story about friendship, hopefulness, and magic. I really liked how simple detailed the story is with a deeper meaning! Students will definitely enjoy this read for any time of the day.
August 27, 2017
Re-issue of this book and it holds up wonderfully. Love the cleverness of it and the illustrations are a hoot.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews