Antonia and Her Magic Wand: The Extraordinary Story of Antonia Brico, Symphony Conductor

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Elizabeth Duncan Victoria Tentler-Krylov

Antonia and Her Magic Wand

Name: Antonia and Her Magic Wand
Price: 49.99 AUD
Availability: PreOrder
ISBN: 9780593813935

The Extraordinary Story of Antonia Brico, Symphony Conductor

Elizabeth Duncan, Victoria Tentler-Krylov

$49.99

Hardback

Forthcoming
Pre-Order now

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English

Random House USA Children's Books
11 November 2026

Children's & young adult fiction & true stories

Sure to inspire young music lovers to follow their dreams, here is a picture book biography about trailblazing Antonia Brico, the first female conductor of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.

Ever since she saw her first symphony orchestra as a little girl, Antonia Brico knew she wanted to be a conductor. To wave a baton like a magic wand and cast a musical spell.

But in the 1920s, female conductors were unheard of. From Antonia's music college in California, to the grand concert halls of Berlin and New York City, her ambitions were met with a resounding chorus of Nos. Still, she never stopped chasing her dream because she believed in the music within her.

Featuring vibrant artwork that captures the magic and energy of a symphony, this inspiring picture book shows how, with indomitable faith in herself, Antonia pushed through every obstacle and became the first woman to conduct the New York Philharmonic -- the most prestigious symphony orchestra in the United States!

By: Elizabeth Duncan, Victoria Tentler-Krylov
Imprint: Random House USA Children's Books
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 279mm,
Weight: 567g
ISBN: 9780593813935
ISBN 10: 0593813936
Pages: 48
Publication Date: 11 November 2026
Recommended Age: From 5 to 9 years
Audience: Children/juvenile , English as a second language
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

A former elementary school educator, Elizabeth Duncan lives in Colorado with her family. Antonia and Her Magic Wand is her picture book debut. Victoria Tentler-Krylov was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, and is a trained architect turned children's illustrator and author. She received an Ezra Jack Keats Illustrator Honor for her work on Cyclops of Central Park, written by Madelyn Rosenberg. In addition, she is the illustrator of Sanctuary by Christine McDonnell, which was a Kirkus Best Book of the Year and a Horn Book Fanfare selection, as well as We Are a Garden by Lisa Westberg Peter and One Small Spark by Ruth Spiro, both of which received starred reviews. Victoria's author-illustrated debut, Building Zaha- The Story of Iraqi-British Architect Zaha Hadid, was selected for the Society of Illustrators Original Art Show. She has also created numerous covers for the New Yorker.