Encouraging, instructive, and completely charming.
An acclaimed English variety artist shares the secrets of his magic tricks and his positive attitude toward life.
Organizing his work into five chapters, beginning with the titular “The Magic in You” and going on to cover “The Funny in You,” “The Circus in You,” “The Science in You,” and “The Hero in You,” Ricardo offers far more than an entertainer’s guidebook. He encourages young readers to confirm facts (especially those found online) and to be themselves (while allowing themselves room to grow and change). They’ll also learn how to do “stupid” tricks, tell a funny joke that doesn’t hurt anyone, juggle, pick a lock, say “I don’t know,” and put themselves forward even when they’re afraid. Readers will discover that sharing ideas “is how the world gets better.” They’ll encounter repeated reminders that practice is key. The text layout is inviting, with plenty of white space, varied fonts, and bullet points. The narrative is chatty, often humorous, and presented in short segments, with small flip-book illustrations in the bottom righthand corners. Unfortunately, there are no other pictures or diagrams to support readers who struggle with following directions based on text alone, although the book contains a link to the author’s website, where they can locate links to videos of him performing. “Comedy is about spreading happiness,” Ricardo proclaims. It would be hard not to be happier after reading this entertainer’s guide.
Encouraging, instructive, and completely charming. (Nonfiction. 9-12)Pub Date: Oct. 7, 2025
ISBN: 9780571383962
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Review Posted Online: June 13, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2025
In no particular order and using no set criteria for his selections, veteran sportscaster Berman pays tribute to an arbitrary gallery of baseball stars—all familiar names and, except for the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez, retired from play for decades. Repeatedly taking the stance that statistics are just numbers but then reeling off batting averages, home-run totals, wins (for pitchers) and other data as evidence of greatness, he offers career highlights in a folksy narrative surrounded by photos, side comments and baseball-card–style notes in side boxes. Readers had best come to this with some prior knowledge, since he casually drops terms like “slugging percentage,” “dead ball era” and “barnstorming” without explanation and also presents a notably superficial picture of baseball’s history—placing the sport’s “first half-century” almost entirely in the 1900s, for instance, and condescendingly noting that Jackie Robinson’s skill led Branch Rickey to decide that he “was worthy of becoming the first black player to play in the majors.” The awesome feats of Ruth, Mantle, the Gibsons Bob and Josh, Hank Aaron, Ty Cobb and the rest are always worth a recap—but this one’s strictly minor league. (Nonfiction. 10-12)
Pub Date: Sept. 7, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4022-3886-4
Page Count: 138
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: Aug. 2, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2010
BOOK REVIEW
An impeccably researched and told biography of Leonard Bernstein’s musical apprenticeship, from toddlerhood to his conducting debut with the New York Philharmonic at age 25. Rubin traces Lenny’s education, musical influences and enduring friendships. Lenny reveled in mounting elaborate musical productions in Sharon, Mass., his family’s summer community. As a student, he augmented support from his family by giving lessons, accompanying singers, transcribing music and more; the narrative sparkles with details that match its subject’s energy and verve. Especially crystalline are the links drawn between father Sam’s decades-long dismissal of his son’s musical gifts and the consequential importance of mentors and supportive teachers in the young man’s life. In exploring Lenny’s devout Jewish roots and coming of age during the persecution of Jews in Europe, the author reveals how dramatically Bernstein altered the landscape for conductors on the American scene. In an epilogue sketching Bernstein’s later life, she briefly mentions his bisexuality, marriage and children. Drawn from interviews, family memoirs and other print resources, quotations are well-integrated and assiduously attributed. Photos, concert programs, early doodles and letters, excerpts from musical scores and other primary documentation enhance the text. Excellent bookmaking—from type to trim size—complements a remarkable celebration of a uniquely American musical genius. (chronology, biographical sketches, author’s note, discography, bibliography, quotation sources, index) (Biography. 9-12)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-58089-344-2
Page Count: 192
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Review Posted Online: Jan. 8, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2011
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