talkmagic.co.uk

Hiya
I'm Leela and have arrived after googling some magic product reviews and ending up here My 8yr old LOVES magic and spends hours watching Dynamo/Can you fool Penn & Teller etc. I got her a magic kit last year and it was PANTS lol, terrible poor quality "tricks" that fell apart - she prefers the card tricks or getting bottle lids inside bottles lol or proper illusions as she calls them So I'm here hoping someone may be able to suggest a good starter kit for this age who want more than a naff toy. She's a bright 8 and can read/follow instructions aimed at older children, so any tips hugely appreciated.
Loving the review forum - thanks
Lee

Hi Leela,
I know what you mean about magic kits! I had one when I was a kid, and lost all the parts! I got into magic much later.
I'm going to recommend two books, which I believe are available from Amazon, or your local book shop may be able to order them in.

The author for both is Nicholas Einhorn (you may have seen him on Penn and Teller - he did the trick with the three meals!).
The first book is called Magical Illusions, and the second is called The Art of Magic and Sleight of Hand.

They are both crammed full of magic tricks, with clear instructions and lots of photographs, but the best thing is that you can do all the tricks with things that you can find around the house, so no need for a magic 'kit' just grab some string or rope, some napkins, some dice, some coins, some playing cards, some coloured paper, etc etc... and there is a range of easy tricks and medium tricks, small tricks and large tricks. They also have some interesting stories about magicians of the past.

I think this would be a good start, and would the books that I would buy for an aspiring magician. In fact I teach some of these tricks in my own magic workshops, and perform a few in my own professional shows! She may need your help with some of them, but that's part of the fun too.

Best of luck.
Ed.

Thanks Ed, I will definitely have a look at those
What do you make of something like this please http://www.magictricks.co.uk/products/7 ... 3-DVD-Set/ - any good/bad comments?
Thanks again
Lee

i recomended some nice sets in this thread.....

sutra421942.php#p421942" target="_blank

including the melisa doug sets, that are all wood,and contain some proper magic tricks.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Melissa-Doug-De ... B0036MDQP0


Dale

That DVD set looks like a waste in my opinion. DVDs can sometimes be good because they show you visually how to do the tricks, but you get better value (more tricks) in a book, and that set looks pretty basic to me. I can't think of a good all round beginners DVD, maybe someone else can.
When I started I got an Ali Bongo Video from a magic shop in London. I don't know where you are based, but if the magic bug really bites then a trip to the magic shop is always a nice treat. The staff there will be able to give recommendations on how to part with your money!

Thanks that has been really helpful! It's hard when you have no clue lol
So I'm tossing up between: http://www.magicshop.co.uk/p21036/The_C ... _info.html

and

http://www.magicshop.co.uk/p21036/The_C ... _info.html

plus the books you suggested, leaning towards the first I think but there seems to be good reviews of the tother

Welcome to TM

You should go for Joshua Jay, his products I have come encountered so far have been quality!

Thanks - decision made and ordered! Will have a read round some more of the forum now. Thanks again it's been a big help!
Lee