Into the Magic Shop

Synopsis

The award-winning New York Times bestseller that inspired BTS's K-pop song 'Magic Shop'.

The day that 12-year-old James Doty walked in to his local magic shop is the day that changed his life.

The day that 12-year-old James Doty walked in to his local magic shop is the day that changed his life. Once the neglected son of an alcoholic father and a mother with chronic depression, he has gone on to become a leading neurosurgeon, based at Stanford University. He credits Ruth for this incredible turnaround: the remarkable woman who devoted the summer to transforming his mind and opening his heart.

In this uplifting memoir, Jim explains the visualisation techniques Ruth taught him that gave him the self-esteem to imagine a new future for himself. He examines the science behind mindfulness and why the skills he learned - of focus and attention - now help him to think fast and keep calm in the operating theatre. And he shows us what is possible when you start to change your brain and your heart.

Into the Magic Shop imparts some powerful life lessons about how to live better, and inspires us to believe that we all have inside us the capacity to change our own destiny.

'I'm sure many readers will be moved by this inspiring story to open their hearts and see what they too can do for others' - His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Summary

Chapter 1: The Magic Shop

* Introduces Mr. Elives' magic shop, where children can find their hidden talents.
* Real example: Lonely 12-year-old Billy discovers the shop and is drawn to a magic telescope that reveals his gift for astronomy.

Chapter 2: The Talking Mirror

* Billy meets Professor Best, a talking mirror, who guides children to their special qualities.
* Real example: Professor Best tells Billy that he is curious, intelligent, and destined to change the world.

Chapter 3: The Jumping Toy

* Billy encounters Mr. Mortimer, a jumping toy who transports children to different times and places.
* Real example: Billy travels to the Victorian era, where he meets a young scientist who inspires his passion for science.

Chapter 4: The Singing Tree

* Billy discovers a singing tree that teaches children about their emotions.
* Real example: Billy sings a song to the tree expressing his loneliness and fear of failure, which helps him overcome his worries.

Chapter 5: The Time Machine

* Billy meets Dr. Time, a time machine that allows children to see their past and future.
* Real example: Billy travels to the future and witnesses his successful career as a brilliant scientist, giving him confidence in his abilities.

Chapter 6: The Wishing Well

* Billy encounters a wishing well that grants children their wishes, but only if they are true to themselves.
* Real example: Billy wishes to become a renowned scientist, but Professor Best advises him to wish for his own happiness, leading him to a life of purpose and fulfillment.

Chapter 7: The Magic Balloon

* Billy meets Mrs. Blimp, a magic balloon that lifts children to new heights.
* Real example: Mrs. Blimp takes Billy on a journey through the stars, igniting his passion for space exploration.

Chapter 8: The Magic Book

* Billy finds a magic book that contains the stories of all the children who have visited the shop.
* Real example: Billy reads a story about a girl who overcame poverty through hard work and determination, inspiring him to persevere in his own challenges.

Chapter 9: The Farewell

* Billy prepares to leave the magic shop and take his newfound confidence back to the real world.
* Real example: Billy thanks Mr. Elives for guiding him and promises to use his talents to make the world a better place.