Summer Reading Week 5: Performing Arts

This week is all about performing arts which includes things like dance, music, theater, puppetry, magic, storytelling and circus arts. To see a performer up close, come see storyteller Carolyn Martino on Wednesday, July 29th at 10:30am!

Break a Leg!: The Kids' Book of Acting and Stagecraft by Lise Friedman (j792.028 Fri)

An instructional guide to acting and stagecraft with chapters on theater games and improvisation, character building (motivation, fake tears), speaking up (voice warmups, accents), getting physical (clowning, stunts, fainting), going backstage (set designs, props, lighting, costumes), reading between the lines (memorizing lines, casting, direction) and making a living (agents, auditioning, voice-overs). A fun and informative book!

The Most Excellent Book of How to Be a Magician by Peter Eldin (j793.8 Eld)

Have you ever wanted perform amazing tricks that dazzle the eye? Then you'll want to read up on how to be a magician. With lots of details on how to look the part and how to put an act together as well as step-by-step instructions for specific magic tricks including the "String and Straw" (where a string appears to be cut in two but stays intact) and "X-ray Magic" (making predictions from a deck of cards).

Funny Business: Clowning Around, Practical Jokes, Cool Comedy, Cartooning, and More... by Helaine Becker (j791.3 Bec)

A great book about laughter, jokes, stand-up comedy and how to be a real clown! Also includes a section on comic strips and cartooning. I especially liked the "Fabulously Funny Facts" on page 10. Some facts of note: "Homo sapiens (that's us!) is the only species with a true laugh" and "On average, kids laugh about 400 times a day. Grownups laugh only 15 times a day." Hhmmm, something to think about...

Babymouse. 10, The Musical by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm (Graphic J Holm)

As tryouts for the school musical begin, Babymouse takes the starring role in several imaginary Broadway productions, which also feature her debonair new classmate, Henry the hedgehog.

The Talented Clementine by Sara Pennypacker (j Pennypacker)

Eight-year-old Clementine, convinced that she has no talents, tries to find a way to avoid participating in the class talent show.

A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban (j Urban)

Ten-year-old Zoe Elias, who longs to play the piano but must resign herself to learning the organ, instead, finds that her musicianship has a positive impact on her workaholic mother, her jittery father, and her school social life.

And have a look at some performing arts websites!