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My First Magic Book

Lawrence Leyton

Dorling Kindersley Publishing

(Based on 1 review)
A refreshing addition to the popular My First Activity series. Created by a top professional magician/illusionist, this book is chocked full of tricks that are virtually foolproof, require minimal adult supervision, and use equipment commonly found around the house.

Reviews

Josh Burch

Jan 11, 2015

In my opinion this is the best book on the market for the complete beginner or anyone who would like to perform for children's birthday parties immediately. This book is a complete Kids show with many classics and is the act that I used, with some small modifications, when I was an 8 year old magician performing at birthday parties.

Everything in the book is clearly explained with plans, easy to follow instructions and colorful illustrations showing you how to make and perform everything for a very small price. Let's see what you get.

The Scarf Trick: With a sharp tug a silk scarf is pulled through the magician's neck. As with everything in here this is a classic beginner trick. It is a startling opener though and is perfect for the beginner.

Tricky Fingers: I don't love this effect, mostly because the method seems to be very transparent, but it could suit some. Basically after you take off your scarf you take off your gloves and one is comically larger than the other.

An Eye Catching Tie: Basically the magician throws up confetti and his or her tie becomes speckled with colorful polka dots. This is perfect for a kids show although the method isn't great it is a fun piece.

Magic Wand: This is a fun levitation using a magic wand. The wand mysteriously rises in the magicians hand. This is a gimmicked wand but it makes for a creepy, easy to do trick.

Conjurer's Cone: This is a simple classic way to make a silk vanish from a cone.

Vanishing Silk: This is the classic visual silk vanish from a crystal tube. Basically a clear cup is held by the magician, inside is a colorful silk, as it is tossed in the air it vanishes.

Magical Color Change: A tube is made from construction paper and a yellow and orange silk are tucked in. The magician blows on the end of the tube and an orange silk pops out. another classic.

Sensational Silks: I love this! It has always been one of my favorite effects. Basically 2 silks are tucked into the magicians shirt. Another silk of a different color is made to vanish and it reappears tied onto the original 2 silks. This needs to be routined with one or 2 of the other silk tricks in order to work.

Dancing Matchbox: A matchbox dances on the magicians hand and even stands up on end.

A Baffling Box: These are instructions to make a circle in square production box. This is something you really should be familiar with regardless of what type of magician you are. If you are not aware of what it is I'll explain. The magician shows an empty tube and places it inside of and empty box with slits in the side so you can see in. They then show the box around, it is also empty. When they place the box over the tube though they reach inside and produce anything. I used to produce a stuffed bear but you could produce a live bunny or a gold fish bowl or really anything else that would fit in the box.

Mind Bending Card Trick: This is the classic card trick Out of This World. It is very strong and is used widely by professionals. Basically the spectator separates red and black cards without ever seeing their faces. I still will pop out this version of the effect from time to time.

Ring and Rope Trick: This is the ring on rope an is popular in beginner books. This one teaches a good lesson in misdirection. I used it for years with success but it of course is not the best version out there, instead it is a solid trick for beginners.

It takes a break here and clearly teaches the back palm and French drop. Both of these are need to know sleights for any magician.

Genie in a Bottle: A genie magically levitates in a clear bottle. This has a great hook especially for kids.

Amazing Magic Box: This is a classic production box. Basically it is shown to be empty and ribbon is immediately pulled from it. It is then showed empty again and candy is produced. The perfect way to end a show.

It ends with showing how to put together all of those tricks into one big show. All of the tricks are practical and cheap to make. This is a great foundation for any beginning kid performer or children's magician.
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