Jennifer Bell’s Magicalia series offers a vibrant world of adventure and emotion-led magic. It’s perfect for inspiring creativity and encouraging a love of reading.
Based on the bestselling author’s belief that reading should feel like fun, not a chore, these new classroom resources bring her fantasy universe to life through hands-on activities designed to engage even the most reluctant readers.
Magicalia resources
The first activity invites students to design their own Magicore — magical animal companions that form powerful bonds with their keepers.
Drawing on the richly imagined world of Magicalia, pupils will give their Magicore a name, decide what “source emotion” powers it (such as courage, joy or determination), and imagine its magical abilities.
This open-ended task supports creative writing and character development, while helping students connect emotionally with the fantasy world.
You also get a printable set of Magicalia trading cards to cut out, collect and swap. Each card features an existing Magicore from the book, detailing its guild, source emotion and unique powers.
This element of gameplay and collectability adds an extra layer of excitement. It also provides further insight into the story’s magical system – perfect for sparking imaginative discussion or inspiring pupils’ own creations.
Jennifer Bell has been open about how she didn’t enjoy reading as a child, largely because the books adults offered her didn’t reflect her interests or feel accessible.
With Magicalia, she’s created a series that’s easy to dive into, with plenty of humour, action and heart. These resources reflect that same ethos, giving students the freedom to explore, invent and enjoy – just as Bell did when she finally found a book that clicked.
It’s all about helping children experience reading not as homework, but as something magical in itself.
Jennifer Bell left bookselling in 2018 to become a full-time children’s author. Her latest novel, Magicalia: Thief of Shadows, is the second book in an exciting new fantasy series.
