Clown Capers Book Reviews

Here is a review for Don's book, from the "Hocus in Focus" column, IBM's Linking Ring Magazine by Phil Willmarth:

• Handbook for the Magical Party Clown

  Here is a tremendous amount of practical advice for the clowning magician. The eight chapters or sections are: Organizing Your Material, Projecting Your Image, Logistics, Before the Show Starts, The Show, After the Show, Prop Potpourri, Holiday Shows. There is an annotated bibliography and list of magic dealers and magazines.

  Appropriately titled, the book reveals that the author is extremely well read and quite experienced in his craft. There is an excellent and very complete bibliography of books on balloon sculpture annotated to guide you to those most valuable for you. If you are just getting into the business, this book seems to me to be indispensable. If you're an experienced trooper, you may find it even more valuable for you'll know how sound the tips and routines are. Highly recommended.

Here is a letter received from Frank J. Herman (Famous magician and writer)

Dear Don,

Your "Handbook" arrived today. The book is sensational both in format and content. It is a must for anyone doing kid shows for pay.

Congratulations. All the best,

Frank

And a review that appeared in M.U.M. magazine (official magazine of the Society of American Magicians)

If you have any interest in Magic and Clowning, then the "Handbook for the Magical Party Clown" by Don Sminkey is for you. In 143 large pages, well illustrated and handsomely bound in soft cover (art by Ed Harris), Don gives you hundreds of ideas, bits of business, tips born from solid experience, routines (including some patter), an exhaustive bibliography, and more. This is a great bargain for $14.95 ppd. Don's silent magic routine to music is worth the cost of the book. Even if you are not interested in clown magic you will enjoy the book--if for no other reason than to appreciate its thoroughness. A bargain!

To learn more about our company or to invite us to your event, call:
Clown Capers at (919) 569-5240, 301-512-3048 (cell)
or send us an e-mail at

Copyright December 1995 by Donald Sminkey. This page or any part of it may only be reproduced with permission of the author.