In my library show, I'm introducing the kids (aged 8-12) to the Spanish book "El cuaderno de hojas blancas" (The notebook of white pages) about a little boy who dreams up adventures by drawing in his empty notebook.

To show the kids that your imagination can become reality, I would love to make a dove appear by drawing it in the 'Dove appearing book'... But my wife isn't quite ready to let me keep a dove in our house

So, using the 'Dove appearing book', do you have any ideas what I could draw and then have appear from the book that could get a "wow!" from the kids (that isn't a live animal)?

Thanks so much for the input

A spring skunk or skunk puppet would be funny, especially if the drawing was supposed to be of a cat that looks like a skunk (Pepé Le Pew). If you can manipulate the puppet well enough to make them really believe it is alive, your next step would be to put it into a cage from which you can make it vanish and then claim it escaped and is running around the room somewhere.

A rubber dove? I've seen some that look good when handled right.

Tom

Thanks guys for the ideas. The skunk idea sounds like something I can learn, especially if it 'springs' out of the book as if it's alive.

Never seen a rubber dove 'brought to life' by a talented operator, any videos out there you know of?

Thanks

You couldn’t prove the rubber dove to be a real one.

It would need suggesting a dove was coming and then shown while moving and quickly put away.

Most use it with other live doves, therefore it was expected and is never questioned.

Drawing a picture and talking about a dove could be the set up.

But it may not be a good idea after all with what you wanting to do.

Tom

Spring Flowers, Spring Bills, or an Appearing Pole might work. So could the flower boxes produced in the Dream Bag magic trick.

Also, do a web search for a OOP trick made by Barry Mitchell called "King Midas". Even if you can't find a used one, the routine might give you inspiration for other items to produce from a book.

- Donald

Ippy, I just love it when I’m asked to help and the person asking has no information in their profile to assist me...

I have a Silky Dove, Silky Doves do not fly and requires no special training, just realese the dove from your book and the dove will land in your hand

Depending on the weather where you live, you can have a dove in a cage outside in a yard, or if the weather is very cold or very hot, the dove can stay in a cage in your garage.

I use odor absorbing kitty litter; If you keep the cage clean doves do not smell and the care is minimal. I feed my doves and change the water daily, total time under one minute and clean the cage weekly, total time under ten minutes.

If that does not work for your wife, believe me, Your show will greatly improve if you get rid of your wife and buy the dove for your dove appearing book routine.

Many kinds of hand and /or finger puppet - could do the trick??

Keep your Wife - I've had mine for 61 years(this June) - they are/can be a great help.

How about a book on Birds.

Harris
Reader & Righter

My Wiz Kids have used realistic puppet rabbits for years, as a way of deciding whether they want to buy and care for a real live rabbit when they are no longer Wiz Kids. Most have decided to continue using a puppet, even the few that decided to get a live rabbit. There are just times and occasions when the real rabbit should stay at home and the puppet is always ready to take over. Most of the kids in the audience think the rabbit is real, even if you let them pet it. It's all a matter of handling the rabbit as if it is alive, and not make it jump around and act like a puppet instead of a rabbit. If you get one, try to study how real live rabbits move and act in a magic show situation, and stick to the script. We have always used Folkmanis "Angora Rabbit Puppets", but they are currently not available. Today, I would just buy some realistic stuffed animal rabbits and convert them into hand puppets (easily done with a razor knife or sharp scissors and a fluffendectomy).

A 20 to 50 foot multi-colored streamer will look fine. Fake animals plus other items can be added with the streamer too.
A silk effect can be included inside also. First make the silks appear. Next present an effect with the silks.

Lippy, since you have a book, why not read/tell a story. Have multiple items like a spring snake and other animals that were mentioned earlier. Let the story relate to the kind of day you had a week ago. For example you were headed to the library to take your book back. Suddenly you saw a bird that needed help (pull out a sponge dove). You took it to a veterinarian. You were on your way back to the library and noticed a rabbit that needed help. You took it to the vet. You were headed back to the library and noticed a skunk, etc. There are 3 foot silks with animals dyed on them. You can include at least one of those also.

Each time you mention you take a critter to the vet, you can place the item in a vanishing box. At the end of your story you mention: "When I left the library to come back to the vet to see how the animals were, I noticed the vet took care of each one and set it free." Show the box empty.

Some great ideas guys, thanks so much... Although not so sure how keen my wife is on all the ideas Howie

Appreciate the ideas, thanks again

LOL

See my May 21 post - above - actually 62 great years - so far.(June 18th)

Russo, you have an early version of a wife... they were wonderful models.... built sturdy and strong, listened to you and was understanding... knew how to cook and cared for you...

Hi lippy. How about the ‘Comedy Homing Dove’ from Tommy James?

http://www.tommyjamesmagic.com/store/ind......rch=Dove

You can try to produce the dove from the book and, when it doesn’t work, use a magic wand. Then the dove appears.

For comedy that's perfect! For this reading show effect where I want to show the kids that your imagination can become real, I'd like to keep this particular routine a little more serious. I'll have a think. Thanks for the idea