Are you a kids or family entertainer looking for more stage props and illusions beyond the dependable classics such as the square circle, dove pan, tip over trunk, drawer box and Zig Zag Girl? Are you looking for a Harry Potter-themed illusion? From one of Asia's top professional illusionists, author of three critically acclaimed illusion design books and creator of the best-selling "Behind the Illusions" DVD, comes a brand new book on contemporary illusions for kids and family magicians. J C Sum has created eight practical illusions & illusionettes designed for working performers looking to add scale to their kids/ family show or provide a larger scale effect for a special show. From making a birthday cake appear to changing giant cereal boxes into an aquarium full of live fish, the illusions routines, presentations and designs are contemporary and relevant for today's audience. All the illusions are detailed with fully illustrated building plans and dimensions. Designed for the working performer, the illusions are practical and pack small/ flat for easy transport. The contents include: THE GIFT BOX--A D.I.Y Illusion Box to Produce a Balloon Animal, Stuffed Toy or Doll. THE IMPOSSIBLE BOX--A Unique Design & Routine for a Production Box. BIRTHDAY CAKE TABLE--Magically Produce a Birthday Cake Surrounded. SUPER SAVER DELIVERY--A Girl Production Illusion that Costs Less than $100 to Build. THE FABULOUS MAGIC MACHINE--A Magical Scientific Contraption for Endless Possibilities. CLOAK OF INVISIBILITY--Magically Produce a Kid From a Wizard's Trunk. THE GIANT CEREAL MYSTERY--A Multiple Colour Changing Cereal Box to Fish Aquarium Illusion. TWISTED CONCLUSION--A Complete Vanish Climax for the Head Twister. Q: Are these illusions expensive and difficult to build? A: While these are professional-grade illusions, there are not complex or difficult to build. Some are very simple that you could put together in minutes. Others will require a basic workshop with the ability to cut/ join wood as well as metal angles or flat bars. In the field of illusions, the illusions would be considered very affordable to build and relatively easy for an experienced builder. Q: Can the Illusions be Performed Surrounded? A: Yes, all illusions can be performed surrounded but some illusions cannot be viewed from the top. Q: How different are these illusions from illusions detailed in J C's other books? Q: These illusions are designed specifically with the kids/ family audience in mind. So the plots, routines and presentations are geared for that audience and market. The illusions are also designed with the professional, semi-pro or part-time worker so they are relatively inexpensive and can be transported easily. Q: Do I need to have illusion knowledge to understand this book? A: You do not need any illusion knowledge. While these are professional level illusions, the book is also written as an introductory to professional illusions, methods and techniques with detailed references listed. "For most situations, from a living room to a small stage venue, you'll find them to be effective, baffling and workable. Solid ideas from one who's actually been in the trenches and KNOWS what works. Creatively, it has been some time since I've read a collection of illusions that weren't just old ideas with a new paint job. J C's fresh ideas will come at you from the side. Where standard effects are used, he offers surprising innovations and unexpected combinations that raise them to a whole new level."--Dan Wolfe. "I really like the content of this book. I think there is a lot of creativity in the ideas and variety in the methodologies that J.C. presents. I can honestly say that if I was still in the Birthday Day market I would without hesitation add 'The Gift Box' and 'The Birthday Cake Table' to my show. If you are a family show or Birthday Day show performer I think you will get some very good ideas from this book. As with all of J.C.'s releases I can highly recommend this as material that is suitable for working professionals."--Cody Fisher. "If you are actively doing kids/ birthday parties shows, it's about time to upgrade your show with illusions. Your clients will definitely be impressed if you can include illusions in your shows. Rating 4.5/5"--Bernard Sim. "I highly recommend this book for many reasons but first off because the idea that you can now offer much more to your family shows. The status of just one of these illusions in your show can give you the chance to also ask for a bit more money to your program and who doesn't like that concept? Each of these Illusions are not to hard to build and could be made in a short amount of time. The price for this book is $45.00 that comes down to about $5.62 per illusion and that's a great deal in itself. Each of the Illusions are also not expensive either to build. You will be inspired from the many great ideas in this book again to take your simple family show to the next professional level."--Tony Blanco. "If you feel that your stand up act can use some larger effects - either to improve your show, play "bigger" or to create "add-ons" that can allow you to charge for "extras" and increase your revenue from each gig, you may find lots to like in this first rate book."--Wayne Kawamoto. "I believe this book is a valuable resource for the working children's performer."--Matthew Field. Pages: 53 - 8.5" x 11" -Softcover - Perfect bound - Color and Black and white illustrations.