Kidshow Magic Kompendium - Review

David Ginn’s Kidshow Magic Kompendium is a substantial reference work for children’s entertainers: 544 pages, 130 sections and around 900 colour photographs combine routines, presentation ideas, prop suggestions, practical advice and history. Its chief strength is the perspective of a working specialist. The focus is on holding a young audience’s attention, structuring a routine and understanding why a moment works in a school or birthday-party setting. The photos, chapter summaries and index make the very large book usable as a continuing reference. Independent reader feedback consistently praises the usable routines, performance tips and Ginn’s understanding of children’s reactions.

The limitations are equally clear. This five-pound, deliberately encyclopaedic book needs time and is not a quick beginner’s course. It includes commercial and specialised props; some entries offer routine and presentation context rather than a full secret or a home-construction plan. That makes sense for a survey of working material, but may frustrate readers who expect every effect to be immediately buildable.

For active children’s entertainers it is a durable working resource, not a one-evening read. Beginners get foundations; experienced performers will gain most from the details, history and adaptable material.