Over a dozen kids wrapped in blankets and toting IVs grouped together to watch in rapt fascination as Sheldon Casavant brought his magic and his new book to the Stollery Children’s Hospital yesterday morning.
The magician and author performed various tricks and read aloud as a treat to the patients and to give away signed copies of his new book Morton the Magician. The book is about a young boy who meets a rabbit who becomes his mentor in magic.
“The kids who are here might need to feel that escape into fantasy, and that’s what magic creates — that sense of wonder and amazement,” said Casavant.
The plot of the story closely resembles Casavant’s own life as a child discovering the wonder of magic.
“It’s definitely loosely based on my start in magic. I’ve been doing magic for about 14 years,” said Casavant. “When I was 11 years old, I had a mentor in magic who essentially gave me the courage to put on my first show.”
The children’s book was illustrated by Amanda Woodward, an Edmonton artist who collaborated with Casavant. For more information visit www.mortonthemagician.com.
