Tommy Terrific Keeps Kids Laughing

From Tommy Terrific's site.

This past weekend I took my toddler twins to see Tommy Terrific at the downtown library in Little Rock. The premise of Tommy’s show goes like this: Tommy is a big kid who’s there to see Uncle Fumpernutter’s magic show. But when it’s clear that Uncle Fumpernutter is nowhere to be found, Tommy decides to step in and take over. He enlists the children in the audience to help him, and with their help, and information found in the Magician’s Handbook, Tommy Terrific performs a series of impressive magic tricks.

Children crowded on the floor in front of Tommy and his huge pink magicians box and helped Tommy try and figure out how to make sense of the gigantic Magician’s Handbook. I won’t give away any of the tricks or jokes, but let’s just say that bread went flying through the air, sandwiches made themselves, and there were even a few card tricks thrown in for good measure.

My sons were a little young to understand what was going on (after all, all the world is magic to them at this age), but they certainly loved watching all the other kids trying to help Tommy. They sat transfixed for the entire show, which is a magic trick unto itself. The older kids were enthralled, laughing and aiding in the magic tricks with Tommy.

Tommy had a great rapport with the children, engaging their attention, reading bits and pieces of Dr. Seuss books, and by the end of the show there’s even a crazy bird that shows up! Tommy Terrific is based in Little Rock. To learn more about his show visit his site, www.tommyterrific.com.

 

The Selfish Giant, Wacky Magic, and more at the Arkansas Literary Festival this weekend!

Tommy Terrific's Wacky Magic Show visits the Arkansas Literary Festival.

Yesterday we highlighted just a few of the kid friendly events taking place at the Arkansas Literary Festival this Saturday. We’ll continue our coverage today with a few more of our favorites! To see a full schedule, please visit the Arkansas Literary Festival here. 

9:00. Performance: The Selfish Giant. “Dan Goeller wrote a new adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s The Selfish Giant, including a full musical score. Students will hear Goeller narrate, as they see projected illustrations from the book and hear the score. Takes place at the William J. Clinton Presidential Center.

12:00.  Session: You Can Do a Graphic Novel. For your older kids who are interested in graphic novels, Barbara Slate’s book, You Can Do A Graphic Novel, provides creative tips and the knowledge to begin the journey. She’ll talk about her book as well as the history of her career creating characters for Marvel and DC Comics, and writing 300 comic books.

1:00. Wolfe at the Door Puppet Show.  This is a great option for little ones! “Be it a standard fairy tale or a story created for the specific group, this lively and energetic hand puppet performance is sure to delight. Led by master puppeteer Jan Wolfe, this show will keep the wee ones rapt.” Main Library, third floor.

2:00 Wacky Magic. Here’s another one for the younger kids. ”Tommy Terrific is a big kid who shows up to watch his Uncle Frumpernutter perform a magic show. When no one can find his uncle, Tommy must take over. Unfortunately, Tommy has never done magic before, but with the help of the kids and the Magician’s Handbook, everyone has a great time.” Main Library Third Floor.

Will you be attending the festival? Upload your photos from the event on our facebook page and tell us what you loved! Have a great weekend!