**What could be better than a magic cupboard that turns small toys into living creatures?**
Omri's big brother has no birthday present for him, so he gives Omri an old medicine cabinet he's found. Although their mother supplies a key, the cabinet still doesn't seem like much of a present. But when an exhausted Omri dumps a plastic toy Indian into the cabinet just before falling asleep, the magic begins. Turn the key once and the toy comes alive; turn it a second time and it's an action figure again.
*The Indian in the Cupboard* is one of those rare books that is equally appealing to children and adults. The story of Omri and the Indian, Little Bear, is replete with subtle reminders of the responsibilities that accompany friendship and love. For kids, it's a great yarn; for most parents, it's also a reminder that Omri's wrenching decision to send his toy back to its own world is not so different from the recognition of their children's emerging independence.
Lynne Reid Banks was born in London, the only child of James and Muriel Reid Banks. During World War II she was evacuated to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, but she returned as soon as the war was over. She was educated at St Teresa's School in Surrey. She became an actress, and also worked as a television journalist. In 1960 she publisher her first book, The L-Shaped Room, which was a best-seller.
In 1962 she moved to Israel to join an Israeli kibbutz Yasur as a teacher. In 1965 she married Chaim Stephenson. They had three sons together. They returned to England in 1971.
She has written over 40 books, including the best-selling children's book The Indian in the Cupboard, which has sold over 10 million copies.
