Puppetry, Clowning & Magic

Cirque du Soleil: The Ultimate Sticker Book
Dorling Kindersly
More than 60 fantastic full-colour stickers of all your favourite Cirque du Soleil characters. Choose stickers to create your own colourful and fun scenes--and the easy-peel stickers can be used more than once!! Softcover, 8 pp. $7.99.

Puppetry: A World History
Eileen Blumenthal
Puppets have existed in one form or another in nearly every culture throughout human history. In Puppetry: A World History, author Eileen Blumenthal offers a fascinating overview of puppetry, examining the unique nature and abilities of puppets and the countless roles they have played in societies across the globe. Lavishly illustrated with more than 350 images and written in a lively, accessible style, this stunning book is a celebration of the visual and performing arts, that will inspire, entertain, and illuminate. Hardcover, 271 pp. $95.00.

The Complete Book of Marionettes
Mabel Beaton & Les Beaton
This instructive and engaging guide, written by professionals with a passion for their art, provides everyone from beginners to veteran performers with all the information needed to create these beloved figures and the stages on which they perform. Enhanced with more than 200 sequenced photographs and diagrams, this comprehensive manual contains valuable advice for making heads, bodies, wigs, and puppet clothing. Furthermore, there are instructions for manipulating your marionette for performances. Softcover, 202 pp. $16.50.

The Glorious Deception
Jim Steinmeyer
Subtitled: The Double Life of William Robinson, aka Chung Ling Soo the "Marvelous Chinese Conjurer", this spellbinding book chronicles the enigmatic life of the magician who mystified even Houdini. This is a one-of-a-kind look at the life of a magician amid the rough-and-tumble world of entertainment, the West's discovery of the Orient, and Chung Ling Soo's strange descent into secrecy as he rose to stardom. Hardcover, 451 pp. $36.50.

Every Magic Secret in the World Revealed
Marc Lemezma
All of the thousands of magic tricks ever performed are based on one or a combination of only nine basic effects. In this fantastic book, Marc Lemezma reveals these tricks of the trade with the use of easy-to-understand text and clear step-by-step photographs. With the help of this book, and a little bit of practice, you'll be wowing your friends and family in no time. Softcover, 128 pp. $27.95.

Cirque du Soleil: 20 Years Under the Sun
Tony Babinski & Kristian Manchester
Published to coincide with the twentieth anniversary of Cirque du Soleil, this beguiling retrospective is told by the artists and performers themselves. Illustrated cover-to-cover, with over 300 photographs, this beautiful volume captures all of the magic that has made Cirque du Soleil an international phenomenon. Hardcover, Colour and B&W photographs, 352 pp. $75.00.

The Greek Myths: Puppet Plays for Children
Leon Katz
Using puppets and Story Theatre form, The Greek Myths tells many of the great stories - from the tale of Creation, to its interpretation of the Flood. Drawing upon some of the most fascinating and memorable characters, such as Zeus, Echo and Orpheus, this version of Ovid's epic poem, Metamorphoses is popular with young and adult audiences alike. Softcover, 158 pp. $16.95.

Cirque du Soleil: Parade of Colors
Patrisha Robertson
Gathered here inside these pages are colors galore and rhymes for all ages. This spirited introduction to Cirque de Soleil will pique the imagination of readers of all ages. Hardcover 32 pp. $24.95.

Hiding The Elephant: How Magicians Invented The Impossible & Learned To Disappear
Jim Steinmeyer
Magic expert Jim Steinmeyer chronicles more than half a century of illusionary innovation, backstage chicanery and espionage, elevated showmanship, and keen competition within the world of magicians in Hiding the Elephant. This book reveals the art of the illusionist in a dramatic mix of science and history which is the backstage story of magic. Hardcover, 362 pp. $38.95.

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Magician's Magic
Paul Curry
Presenting thoroughly engrossing material in a truly elegant style, Paul Curry discloses the secrets behind more than 25 close-up marvels -- including his own "Out of This World," reputed to be the best card trick of the past century. This book also surveys the entire field of prestidigitation -- from magic performed in ancient Egypt to tricks executed in modern times. Softcover, 269 pp. $21.95.

Who's Got Game?
The Ant or the Grasshopper?
Toni and Slade Morrison
Toni & Slade Morrison have crafted a timeless tale about the wages of a struggling artist (a grasshopper), and his pragmatic friend (an ant). This modern fairy tale will beguile both children and adults. Hardcover, 30 pp. $26.50.

The Art of Pantomime
Charles Aubert
This informative survey text presents a well-illustrated analysis of pantomime's extensive variety of emotional expressions, attainable through attitude and gesture. A vital resource to the classic art, this volume affords students, amateurs, and professional actors abundant material for cultivating and refining their craft. Softcover, 210 pp. $16.50.

Puppets and Puppet Theatre
David Currell
Essential reading for everyone interested in making and performing with puppets. It concentrates on designing. making and performing with the main types of puppet, and is extensively illustrated in full colour throught. Hardcover, 176 pp. $46.95.

Puppets, Masks, and Performing Objects
John Bell
This volume offers a wide range of perspectives on puppets, masks, and other performing objects. The topics include Stephen Kaplin's new theory of puppet theatre, a historical overview of mechanical and electrical performing objects, an account of the Bread and Puppet Theatre's Domestic Resurrection Circus, and interviews with director Julie Taymor and mask-maker Gustavo Boada. Softcover, 197 pp. $32.95.

Clown Skits for Everyone
by Happy Jack Feder
Over thirty easy-to-perform skits for one or two clowns, as well as additional information of making props, miming and talking, performance mechanics, and techniques for beginners. Each script details required props, as well as all the gestures that go along with the clown skit. Softcover, $20.95.

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Creative Clowning
by Bruce Fife, et al.
This a journey into the fun-filled world of clowns. Going beyond merely explaining how to perform the physical skills, the book teaches the reader how to use these skills creatively to become funny and entertaining. Drawing on the combined experience of eight professional entertainers, the book provides step-by-step instructions on everything from juggling, to creating and telling jokes, and even how to operate a home based clowning business. Softcover, $33.95.

Marionettes: How to Make and Work Them
by Helen Fling
This is a complete book of marionette craft -- from making heads and constructing bodies to stringing the marionettes on one- and two- handed controls, operating the marionettes and putting on shows of your own. The first section details the construction of the puppet heads out of plastic wood or papier mache, while the second sections tells how to make hands, feet, joints etc. The third section deals with marionette controls, while the final section covers the details of show production, from building a stage to sound effects. Softcover, $16.50.

Pathways in Juggling
by Robert Irving & Mike Martins
An essential foundation and course of instruction for jugglers, starting with the basic three-ball juggling, and progressing to more advanced tricks with clubs, devil sticks, diabolos and more. The book includes sequences for juggling with a partner, the basic six-club pass and torpedo throws, as well as a section on basic juggling equipment. The entire book is beautifully illustrated with full colour photographs. Softcover, $19.95.

The Complete Book of Puppetry
by George Latshaw
Following a brief retrospective of the fascinating ancient art of puppetry, the author offers a clear, abundantly illustrated suggestions for preparing for a performance, explains how to construct several types of puppets, and presents a series of exercises that promote the development of distinctive voices for characters and the translation of human body language into puppet movement. Readers will also find a wealth of advice on designing stages and puppet environments, writing and adapting plays, and directing productions. Large-format softcover, $19.95.

Plays for Young Puppeteers
by Lewis Mahlmann & David Cadwalader Jones
The twenty-five plays in this collection are adaptations of such all-time favourites as Peter Pan, Beauty and the Beast, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Pinocchio, among others. Each play is followed by detailed production notes for the making and manipulation of the puppets, properties, sets, and special effects that may be used. It addition, a special section on "How to Produce a Puppet Play" will facilitate the production and staging of these dramas. Softcover, $22.99.


Clown Act Omnibus
by Wes McVicar
Includes sections on the basics of being a clown, and a description of clown equipment. There are skits for "Walk-On" or "Walk-Around" clowns; clown acts with simple equipment; acts with special equipment (generally referring to a more complex set); and clown acts for water shows. While this book has many ideas for the amateur clown, many of the acts require advanced or specialized skills. Softcover, $20.95.


The Instant Puppet Resourcebook for Teachers
by Lois & Herb Walker
How to show children of all ages how to create puppets from low-cost, easy-to-find materials. Puppet clowns, puppet monsters and animal puppets are only some of the suggestions for hours of creative learning. The book also includes puppet games and activities, several projects for creative writers and storytellers, and a number of copyable ready-to-use puppet scripts. Large-format softcover, $28.95.

Instant Puppets for Kids
by Lois Walker
Each puppet body in the book is made from a simple household throwaway -- from paper towel tubes and plastic bottles to paper bags and popsicle sticks. Walker suggests ways of decorating the puppets, and gives many helpful hints for making construction easier. $9.95.

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Last modified July 15, 2003 .
Please note that all prices are in Canadian dollars. All prices are subject to change without notice.