If you find yourself frequently asking the following questions, then here’s your chance to frequently read some answers.
Exactly what kind of book is Mossby’s Magic Carpet Handbook? Good question. It’s unlike any book you’ve seen before. It’s not a novel, and not a picture book. It’s styled as a factory manual–the very manual you would receive (ahem, will receive) when your new magic carpet is finally delivered. It’s packed with a combo of fantasy, science, travel suggestions, and more; all brought to life with colorful illustrations.
Where did you get the idea for this book? Where ideas come from is always a mystery. Some seem great for five minutes and then fade away. But the more I started thinking about what one would need to know in order to fly a magic carpet, the more I realized the depths to this topic. (Or should I say “heights?”)
When will Mossby’s have more magic carpets in stock? That’s a question for the Mossby’s customer service department! (They’re notoriously hard to reach, though.) Also keep in mind that Mossby’s sells its magic carpets only to customers who are kind, brave, and adventurous, and who’ve carefully studied the Handbook ahead of time.
Where can I see sample pages from Mossby’s Magic Carpet Handbook? Here’s a good place, on publisher The Innovation Press’s website. (Scroll down.)
Is it true that a young reader asked the U.S. military to say whether the information in this book is correct? Young Lily and her mother, in Ohio, sent a letter to the 180th Fighter Wing of the Ohio National Guard asking whether its pilots really face the G forces that the handbook says, along with many other questions about how military pilots’ experience compares with magic carpet riders’. Commander Doyle and others answered in a series of videos; our favorites are Episode 1 (concerning G-forces), Episode 2 (“If you … were sitting on your jet like on a flying carpet, what would that feel like?”), Episode 3 (with the ever popular “poopy-suit” explanation), Episode 7 ( “How many “oops” do pilots get before they can’t fly anymore?”), and Episode 8 (how high military pilots fly, what happens if they hit a bird, and seeing St. Elmo’s fire). And definitely don’t miss the final episode, in which the magic carpet rider’s Code of Conduct is compared to the U.S. Airman’s Creed.
Did you illustrate the book? I wish! The beautiful illustrations in this book are the creations of artist Alejandro Lee.
Where do you recommend buying this book? Local independent bookstores are among every community’s most important gathering places. For example, Flashlight Books in Walnut Creek, California recently began carrying Mossby’s Magic Carpet Handbook. Indie bookstores will not survive without customer support, however. If you don’t have one of these treasures near you, Indiebound is a great online way to support them.