About using magic and comedy skills to build confidence

Comedy cabaret performer Mat Ricardo has written his first book, described as a ‘self-help guide for children’.

The Magic In You – subtitled ‘dare to be brilliant’ – gives youngsters tips on honing magic, juggling, comedy and circus skills that might help boost their confidence.

Publishers Faber say: ‘Mat Ricardo never used to see himself as a performer, in fact he was always on the outskirts and incredibly shy - but through practice and dedication, he found his confidence to become one of the country's greatest and most widely respected showmen.’

And in a statement to The Bookseller trade website, Ricardo said: ‘For a young person who is – for whatever reason – different, learning to do something new and seemingly impossible is immensely empowering. 

‘The Magic In You is an encyclopaedia of truly amazing things that pretty much anyone can learn to do, while also learning how to be smarter, kinder and healthier.’ 

The 224-page book – aimed at nine- to 11-year-olds – will be published on July 31 and also features ‘spy secrets’ and science tricks.

Publisher Leah Thaxton described Ricardo as ‘a generous and charismatic teacher, and a true inspiration’, saying the book ‘will be invaluable for any budding performer, all introverts,  and anyone wishing to make a career side-shuffle’.

The Magic In You is available to preorder now from Amazon, priced £8.27 in paperback.

Published: 31 Jan 2025