Brian Selznick 2001
A fun imagining of a boy obsessed with magic and inspired by Harry Houdini.
For my friends who kept asking me for a children's book list...
If you are a fan of scientific illustration (especially of the antique, natural sciences variety) then these are wonderful references to track down. Though these aren't "children books", they are a nice supplement to learning about art and science and especially the history of women in these fields.
Orra White Hitchock created incredible large charts and instructional designs for the classroom and illustrated the work of her geologist and professor husband. I absolutely love her almost modern-looking graphic designs of geography.