THE Bookworm shares the excitement and power of books! This show is tightly tied to books, and even has a talking book puppet. This is an excellent choice for libraries or literacy grant programs. (Click photo for larger image)

Reading Is For Champions with THE Bookworm

NEW For Summer 2006!
The Bookworm's all new "Reading Is For Champions" library show! Featuring the story Don't Fidget a Feather by Erica Silverman. In this new show The Bookworm stresses that reading is for champions. She urges children to bring out the champion in themselves by enjoying reading as much as she does! For schoolers (K-3).

Also available - Let's Read! with THE Bookworm (Young Audience certified)
She devours books, and grows to be a really big bookworm by reading! She always has new stories to tell, bringing characters to life before the audience with puppets, magic, or unusual props. Bookworm stories include: Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, a Caldecott award winner, Kat Kong, a feline parody of the horror classic, and Mean Soup, a creative way for children to manage anger. The Bookworm has a cute book puppet who teaches children to take care of their books, and a magic card trick that shows the most valuable card to have is not an Ace, but a library card!

Click here for THE Bookworm press release you can use to announce the show!

Masai Maggie is just back from Africa with a swarm of fun animals and great stories to share! (Click photo for larger image)

Wild About Reading with Masai Maggie

As a Safari clad storyteller, Margaret brings crazy animal magic with Rocky the Baby Racoon (a critter who appears, disappears, and then reappears in the zaniest place imaginable!) There are stories, lots of audience engagement, and a grand finale as Margaret performs the children's classic Stand Back Said the Elephant I'm Going to Sneeze! How good is it? She has "brilliant puppetry and ventriloquism skills". When you see her perform, you will agree! Ages 2-10

Learning Points
1. Excite children about the story by bringing actual text to life with several puppets.
2. Illustrate with the performance that stories in books are engaging.
3. Encourage children to explore other books in the library.
4. Teach the children many interesting facts about a variety of animals from all around the world, including elephants, penguins, kangaroos, and more.

Mother Goose is several hundred years old, yet she still gets the kids cheering, clapping, reading, and dancing! (Click photo for larger image)

Reading and Rhyming with the original Mother Goose (Young Audience certified)

This popular character encourages children to read books and enjoy poetry. She regularly visits schools and libraries all over the metroplex. She teaches the rhymes to the children and has them act out the various rhymes utilizing props. She has a hilarious show with lots of puppets and ventriloquism. Kids love the puppets Lamby, Mary, Goosey, Itsy Bitsy, and the other friends who arrive with Mother Goose.
Age pre-K to grade 3.

Bucky combines a beautiful, friendly looking outfit with character puppets kids and adults will love! (Click photo for larger image)

Wild About the West with Bucky the Western Clown

Bucky tells a tall-tale with the help of her puppet friends, Sheriff Kermit, Get-a-long the dog, and Giddy-up the Pony, about an outlaw puppet "Hound-Dog the Kid" who robbed the bank. Children participate in a wild West adventure as they rope the bad guy and send him to jail to teach him crime doesn't pay! Tie it in with western week!
Ages 3-up

Learning Points
1. Present a little of our Texas cowboy history to the children, engaging their interest so that they will want to learn more on their own.
2. Introduce children to the style of literature known as the 'tall-tale', a genre first publicized widely by Mark Twain.
3. Use a story to involve children in evaluating socially acceptable and unacceptable behavior.
4. Remind people that, in the words of Bucky, 'crime doesn't pay!'

Poor Patchy - with a head full of straw, it is no wonder that Billy the Crow can play so many tricks on her! Fun, friendly, and educational - Patchy is a hit wherever she performs! (Click photo for larger image)

Celebrate the Harvest with Patchy the Funny Fall Scarecrow

September/October/November. This is a non-scary "clown" scarecrow. She performs fall magic and songs about harvest time. Children will learn and participate in "The Seed Cycle". They will love "Billy the Crow" as he steals the corn. Tie this in with harvest time at your school. Age 2 - up.

Learning Points
1. Teach children about the growing cycle from seed to harvested  food.
2. Help children become aware of how essential corn is to a variety of products they encounter every day.
3. Teach children a fun rhyming song they can sing for their own entertainment, strengthening self-directed amusement tendencies.
4. Remind children of the importance of farms and farming to our daily lives.

The Snow Queen combines a beautiful, elegant costume with fabulous science demonstrations. Little girls love her - and so do the boys! (Click photo for larger image)

Steam, Water, Snow and Ice with The Snow Queen

This show is really a science show teaching the children all about the different forms that water can take.  Children will find it fascinating to watch the various magic tricks that demonstrate Steam, Water, Snow, and Ice, and learn about how clouds are formed.  They will also learn about deserts and the coldest places on earth.  Chilly the Penguin is the Snow Queen’s  puppet side kick, who performs a hilarious magic trick where he reads the children’s minds.  Finally, the theme of diversity is touched on as Snow Queen demonstrates through some very moving musical magic that we should judge others not by what we see of them on the outside, but by what is in their heart.  Age 4 up. 

Learning Points
1. Promote science to girls by using a very feminine character who knows and teaches essential science points.
2. Present the steam, water, snow and ice pattern multiple times to help children learn this cycle.
3. To teach a few of the unique factors about Antarctica, and penguins.

Margaret was one of the first to develop an open face bunny character. Bernice is approachable and interesting to watch. (Click photo for larger image)

All Things Easter with Bernice Bunny

Bernice is a cute open face bunny who teaches children interactively to be good helpers by telling the story of "The Little Red Hen" with puppetry and ventriloquism. The show features fun Easter magic. Bernice concludes her show by producing a live bunny that the children will be able to pet. Age 3-up.

Learning Points
1. Language arts will be reinforced through interactive storytelling.
2. Children will be encouraged to use their imagination when Bernice concocts a strange “Carrot Stew” for them.
3. Children will observe positive reinforcement of values through the interactive story The Little Red Hen.

This is an authentic Folklorico dress from the Jalisco region of Mexico. Margaret demonstrates the Mexican Hat dance during the Senorita Margarita show. (Click photo for larger image)

Viva la Mexico with Señorita Margarita

Celebrate Mexico with Señorita Margarita! Great for Cinco de Mayo! She comes in a traditional Mexican dress and Sombrero. Her show features Rosita the puppet who tries to learn "La Cucaracha" in a hilarious rendition of the song. Also featured in the show is the Mexican Hat dance and Mariachi Loco, a trumpet playing marionette who will bring the house down when his pants fall off! Great for Cinco de Mayo!
Age 2- up.

Learning Points
1. Promote interest, and pride, in Hispanic culture, which plays such an important part in Texas history.
2. Build interest and appreciation for the Cinco de Mayo celebration.
3. Increase cultural tolerance by highlighting some of the many Hispanic elements in our society.
4. To encourage children's self-assurance and self-expression by offering a colorful character who is not afraid to be different.

Yes, Mother Nature is elegant and refined; yet look in the Gallery to find out just how animated she is at work! (Click photo for larger image)

Spring Is in the Air with Mother Nature

Great show for March or April when Spring is in the air! Mother Nature stresses to take care of our Earth. Her show incorporates a dancing flower marionette, storytelling with an original story by Margaret herself, beautiful magic involving caterpillars changing to butterflies and blooming flowers. Ages 3-6.

Learning Points
1. Instill an appreciation for ecology and conservation of natural resources.
2. Show children that they can find natural wonders in their own yards and parks.
3. Delight the audience with beautiful props that remind them to appreciate natural beauty when they encounter it.
4. Promote reading as a way to learn more about our world, and to gain the tools needed to one day write their own stories.

Lovey Dovey brings a lot of 'heart' to her work. This is another Margaret Clauder costume that reinforces the theme of the show, and delights the audience! (Click photo for larger image)

Love, Love, Love, with Lovey Dovey

January/February - Dressed in a large Heart costume, Lovey will entertain children with her puppets singing silly love songs. Children will delight in pretending to be "Cupid" as they magically shoot Lovey's heart with their invisible arrows! Watch the amazing valentine card magic trick too! Ages 3-up.

Learning Points
1. With a tangible metaphor, show that love is inexhaustible.
2. Kindness to others makes a difference in the lives of others.
3. Reinforce positive, loving behavior in the audience.
4. Using a character from the show, demonstrate that people can
change to be happier, and kinder.

Alphie's show reminds the audience of the values associated with Christmas without turning preachy. (Click photo for larger image)

Holidays Are Here with Alphie the Elf

After Thanksgiving. This show combines Christmas storytelling, puppetry, and magic. The show changes from year to year with new stories and new magic! It is always a highlight of any school, church, or company party though. Her stories include: The Boy with Too Many Toys, Olive The Other Reindeer, The Polar Express, The Story of the Candy Cane (Christian version), The Envelope (a Christmas story for adults that will touch their hearts.) All ages.

Learning Points
1. The essential message of Christmas is about intangible gifts, such as love and generosity.
2. We are loved for who we are rather than the presents we give at Christmas.
3. Remember to relax and enjoy the holiday season, resisting the stresses of the season.

Singing Bird's costume is made from leather, based on authentic Native American designs. She really brings the other side of Thanksgiving to life for the audience! (Click photo for larger image)

Story of Thanksgiving with Singing Bird the Native American

November only. The story of Thanksgiving from the Indian's point of view. This show uses authentic costuming and Indian artifacts that the children can actually touch and see. Music, magic, and storytelling are used. A good show for schoolers! Age 3-up.

Learning Points
1. Introduce children to Native American culture, and offer an alternative perspective on Thanksgiving.
2. To teach children about Squanto, a Native American with a significant role in U.S. history.
3. To increase cultural sensitivity by helping children become more familiar with people who, at first, seem entirely different.
4. Share with the audience simple bird calls they can practice after the show.

Under the Sea Puppet Show

Anytime. Great for June, July, August. First Mate Maggie the Sailor will perform a puppet show! Fish nets, a pirate treasure chest, and real starfish set the stage for an undersea adventure as Maggie narrates the tale of "Journey to Shark Reef". Puppets sing wonderful children's renditions of "We all live in a Yellow Submarine" and "Octopuses Garden". Children and teachers will help Polly the Pirate Parrot sing "Polly Wolly Doodle All Day". A lively Pirate skeleton will dance, and "Chicken of the Sea" will make everyone laugh when she shows up in her "itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini"! We need a LARGE area for our curtain ( 14 ft. long x 8 ft. wide) to perform for this show. We need to set up and tear down in an empty room. Age 2-up.

Maggie is perplexed by things any child can understand,and she is so friendly, kids feel safe helping. (Click photo for larger image)

Let's Make Magic with Maggie the Magical Clown™

Great Summer Show! Maggie performs a magical variety show. Children will be asked to be audience volunteers as she performs her wacky magic. Sometimes the magic backfires on Maggie or does not turn out quite the way she expected, but with the help of the children and a few "magic" words things always seem to turn out fine. Ages 4-up.

Learning Points
1. By helping Maggie complete tasks correctly, children gain more confidence in expressing their own knowledge and ability.
2. Encourage children, through Maggie's example, to ask for help when they face a task beyond their ability.
3. Introduce children to live entertainment, teaching them the proper behavior to enjoy a program such as laughing, clapping, or participating at the right times.

Good Shepherd and the Lost Lamb with Margaret the Story Lady

Miss Margaret the Story Lady: Children learn about God's message that all children are special to God as they hear the telling of this old Testament tale with puppets and ventriloquism. Children will also learn several easy Christian songs with actions. Copies of words are available. Especially for Christian based schools. Age 3-6.

Adults in your audience will be just as intrigued as the children by the transformation from person to character. Even Maggie is amazed! (Click photo for larger image)

Be A Clown with Maggie the Magical Clown™

Good summer show! Maggie will come and put on her make-up in front of the children as she talks about what a clown does. This is an excellent show for older children 4 and up to help them get over their fear of clowns. After she finishes putting on her make-up she will perform several silly magic tricks for the kids. Ages 4-up.

Learning Points
1. Reveal that behind the makeup is a real person, who isn't scary at all.
2. Introduce children to the theatrical arts, showing that 'dress up' is something adults do, too!
3. Share some of the rich history of circus arts.
4. Give children a chance to consider the concept that a person or a thing may be quite different from the surface appearance.