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ade New user Singapore 85 Posts |
I know there have been a few topics on and off about top books that kids show performers should read. I'm trying to collate a list, for myself and probably all other people involved on what are the must-read books for us (ie. kids magician). I have a few on the list to kick-off, appreciate any inputs!!
Must-Read: 1. Seriously Silly by Silly Billy 2. Big Laughs for Little People by Samuel Patrick Smith 3. Uncut by Trevor Lewis 4. Find the Stuff that's You by Chris Carey 5. David Ginn's Whole Series on Kids Magic |
themagiciansapprentice Inner circle Essex, UK 1381 Posts |
6. Terrific Trix for Kids Shows by Ian Adair
7. How to create kids magic .. by John Breeds 8. Open Sesame 9. Entertaining the Under-5s by Malcolm Yaffe 10. Laughter all the way by Ron Bishop 11. Kids Stuff 5 12. Patrick Page's Book of Visual Comedy
Have wand will travel! Performing children's magic in the UK for Winter 2014 and Spring 2015.
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kihei kid Inner circle Dog House 1039 Posts |
13. Kid Control by Julian Franklin
In loving memory of Hughie Thomasson 1952-2007.
You brought something beautiful to this world, you touched my heart, my soul and my life. You will be greatly missed. Until we meet again “my old friend”. |
LMLipman Elite user Falls Church, Va. 443 Posts |
14. Birthday Magicians Handbook by Dave Fiscus
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oagwood Veteran user Pleasant Hill, CA 392 Posts |
15. Poof you're a frog by Bob Markwood
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Keith Brock New user 57 Posts |
I'm definitely going to have to check all these books out.
Keith |
ade New user Singapore 85 Posts |
Thanks for the contributions! It looks like I've a lot more books to read!
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Baz94 New user Kent/Eng 91 Posts |
16 - How To Create Kids Magic and Triple Your Income
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keeblem Inner circle Essex, UK 1167 Posts |
17.Mark Leveridge's Magic Party 1 and 2
I know a lot of people may the view the above as a bit out of date, but I got a lot out of them and a great reference for anyone planning to host the entire party. Mark |
curtgunz Special user Only 99% of users have more than 784 Posts |
Click for Free Resources for Performers
YouTube channel specifically for family & kids show magicians. Click -- You need to subscribe. |
oagwood Veteran user Pleasant Hill, CA 392 Posts |
18. Clown Magic-- David Ginn (I think the Ginn books should be broken up for a list like this.)
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ade New user Singapore 85 Posts |
To make it easier for those tracking this thread, here are the books in a nice list:
1. Seriously Silly by Silly Billy 2. Big Laughs for Little People by Samuel Patrick Smith 3. Uncut by Trevor Lewis 4. Find the Stuff that's You by Chris Carey 5. David Ginn's Whole Series on Kids Magic 6. Terrific Trix for Kids Shows by Ian Adair 7. How to create kids magic .. by John Breeds 8. Open Sesame 9. Entertaining the Under-5s by Malcolm Yaffe 10. Laughter all the way by Ron Bishop 11. Kids Stuff 5 12. Patrick Page's Book of Visual Comedy 13. Kid Control by Julian Franklin 14. Birthday Magicians Handbook by Dave Fiscus 15. Poof you're a frog by Bob Markwood 16. How To Create Kids Magic and Triple Your Income 17. Mark Leveridge's Magic Party 1 and 2 18. Clown Magic-- David Ginn On a side note, I've actually read Kid Control, but forgot to mention in the original. It was definitely great read on Kids Psychology and control. On Birthday Magicians Handbook now!! Great recommendations so far for the list. Thank you! |
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
I couldn't possibly read so many books. Life is too short. My advice is to go out and watch some top notch children's performers, and see what they have that you don't. Then work on that. It constantly amazes me how few of my working colleagues take time out to sit in the audience of kids shows.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
#7 and #16 are the same book.
- Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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RealityOne Loyal user 227 Posts |
19. The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo
This isn't a "how to" book but a beautiful work of fiction. Kate also wrote the "Tales of Despereaux" and "Because of Wynn Dixie" which were made into movies. The writing is amazingly vivid, the dialog cannot be read aloud without becoming each character and the story draws you in with mystery that isn't resolved until the last pages. The plot, however implausible (elephant's just don't appear by crashing through roofs during a magician's performance), resonates with the audience. Wouldn't it be wonderful if our shows could have the same effect on our audiences? Read this book, enjoy the story and the writing - why it works - and then apply that to your shows.
~David
Any perception of reality is a selection of reality which results in a distortion of reality. |
ade New user Singapore 85 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-07-19 06:46, TonyB2009 wrote: It's great advise.. And I absolutely agree with the need to watch the top pros in action.. Though it doesn't stop me from reading as much as I can. I watch a lot but there really isn't too many top-notch pros that I could watch live, so I catch what I can on the Internet. I also still believe books given a fundamental standing and grounding essential to help me understand what I'm watching and what I should be picking up as pointers. I don't want to just emulate routines or mannerism or even gags that work and become a copy! sometimes it's easier to read and then watch to see theories (and what works) in action! |
Mike Maturen Inner circle Michigan's Beautiful Sunrise Side 2726 Posts |
The other thing I would recommend is to try to get face to face with a working pro. Go to an IBM or KIDabra meeting if you have a local one. If not, find one as close as possible, go to their website and see if you can make contact. These guys and gals generally love to share the art...and you can learn a ton!
Mike Maturen
World of Wonder Entertainment The Magic and Mayhem of Mike Maturen 989-335-1661 mikematuren@gmail.com AUTHOR OF "A NEW DAWN--Weekly Wisdom From Everyday Life" member: International Magician's Society |
mikedobias New user 56 Posts |
A lot of these books are quick reads--just like the large collection of tricks we all have stashed in drawers because we could never figure out what to use them for, you'll find that not everything in the books will appeal to you, but if you can get a few nuggets out of them, they are worth the read (kind of like this forum). I have probably half the ones on the list. I have 5 or 6 David Ginn books, but the two I particularly like are from early and later in his writing career:
Professional Magic for Children (published in 1976 but still relevant--it was one of my first magic books (along with Now You See It, Now You Don't) that I purchased as a teenager in the late 70's. Good examples of taking tricks and turning them into kid show routines. Crash Course on Kid Shows--a great reference published in 2003 on how to use all that stuff you have in drawers and boxes, plus ideas on how to structure your show, what to use in various parts of your show, and my favorite part, 33 things kids enjoy. And I want to reinforce how great "Seriously Silly" is. The sections on how to adapt routines for different age children should be required reading for kids magicians. Understanding how a 5 year old differs from a 7 year old, and how they differ again from a 9 year old, is tremendous. Finally, join Kidabra, and read the Kidabra journals that regularly come out. Even better, attend the Kidabra convention. I've only been to one, but it was well worth it. |
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