The Magic Shop

From ancient times to the present, magic and science have always been intertwined. In this fascinating book, astronomer/anthropologist Anthony Aveni conducts a whirlwind tour of occult practices -- from astrology, alchemy, and phrenology to psychokinesis, crystals, and channelling -- and finds that many of magic's ancient rites have been revived and re-examined in the New Age.

Anthony Aveni, who teaches astronomy and anthropology at Colgate University and is the author of a book on the astrological origins of astronomy, Conversing With the Planets: How Science and Myth Invented the Cosmos, is an interested but skeptical inquirer into the wackier realms of superstition. His assumptions are scientific, rational, and secular as he charts the history of magical and supernatural beliefs and their pseudo-scientific manifestations. The thread of his story runs from early Greece and Rome through the Dark Ages of alchemy and witchcraft to the Age of Enlightenment and on to our New Age resurgence of belief in the spirit world. From the evil eye to the crystal ball to new age healing crystals, Aveni identifies a consistent human weakness for magical solutions to life's puzzles.

Ali is a gorgeous Persian cat that lives in Saudi Arabia with his owner Jill. While sitting on a rooftop, he dreams of being able to fly over the city's tallest and most magnificent tower. One night, with the help of a magic ball and a genie, his dreams come true. Ali's flight, however, turns into a nightmare. Confronted by out-of-this-world objects and a gigantic sandstorm, will he make it back home safely to his owner?

Prima Ballerina Darcey Bussell takes you on a captivating journey to a faraway land of ballet and magic, the wonderful world of Enchantia! The third of sparkly new series for all young girls who dream of being a ballerina, or simply love to dance! Delphie is really excited about the end of term show, it's her chance to shine! But when her friends in Enchantia need her help she finds herself whisked away to a magical Masked Ball...

On a field trip inside a physics book, Ms. Frizzle's class plays baseball in a world without friction and learns all about friction and forces. Full-color illustrations.