Entertaining Children

Children have been exploited as performers and wooed energetically as consumers throughout history. These essays offer scholarly investigations into the employment and participation of children in the entertainment industry with examples drawn from historical and contemporary contexts.

If you've ever thought about becoming a children's entertainer but had no idea where to begin, this book is a comprehensive resource for developing a business idea into a creative, thriving enterprise. Each section guides you through the process, beginning with the basics, from how to develop your professional image and source contacts and bookings, to in-depth examples of industry-approved routines and party games. For those wishing to diversify, there is also guidance on providing entertainment in adult venues and advice on avoiding the pitfalls that can damage your business. So, choose your character and get started on an exciting new career!

Child labor greatly contributed to the cultural and economic success of the British Victorian theatrical industry. This book highlights the complexities of the battle for child labor laws, the arguments for the needs of the theatre industry, and the weight of opposition that confronted any attempt to control employers.

In this mischievously funny picture book, friends come in all shapes and sizes. In case you were wondering, here's an incomplete list of things giraffes ruin: - Birthday parties - Going to the movies - Playing at the park - Hide and Seek - Everything else Yes, that's right. Giraffes ruin everything. But what happens when our narrator gets into a tricky situation? Perhaps he'll find giraffes aren't so bad after all . . .

For over 20 years, the development of children's television programming has been subsidized by toy manufacturers. The result has been an increased commercialisation of children's popular culture - the creation of a "material world" of childhood characterized by brand-name toys, games, clothing, and television characters. Drawing on historical background and case studies, this book presents a unique look at the development of children as targets of the media and commercial industries, and examines the economic and social forces that have defined the evolution of children's entertainment. This volume is of interest to professionals and students in media studies, mass communication, and related fields; readers interested in contemporary children's culture and the content of children's programming.

A modern parenting classic—a guide to a new and gentle way of understanding the care and nurture of infants, by the internationally renowned childcare expert, podcaster, and author of No Bad Kids “An absolute go-to for all parents, therapists, anyone who works with, is, or knows parents of young children.”—Wendy Denham, PhD A Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE) teacher and student of pioneering child specialist Magda Gerber, Janet Lansbury helps parents look at the world through the eyes of their infants and relate to them as whole people who have natural abilities to learn without being taught. Once we are able to view our children in this light, even the most common daily parenting experiences become stimulating opportunities to learn, discover, and connect with our child. A collection of the most-read articles from Janet’s popular and long-running blog, Elevating Child Care focuses on common infant issues, including: • Nourishing our babies’ healthy eating habits • Calming your clingy, fearful child • How to build your child’s focus and attention span • Developing routines that promote restful sleep Eschewing the quick-fix tips and tricks of popular parenting culture, Lansbury’s gentle, insightful guidance lays the foundation for a closer, more fulfilling parent-child relationship, and children who grow up to be authentic, confident, successful adults.

In today’s competitive society, parents face great pressure to encourage their children to follow their dreams and strive for excellence. Organized in a practical question-and-answer format, Your Child’s Career in Music and Entertainment: The Prudent Parent’s Guide raises and addresses many of the issues parents encounter when seeking to turn their children’s creative passion and talent into a sustainable career in entertainment. Topics include: •Knowing which professionals to consult and when •Finding and preparing for auditions •Dealing with the financial aspects •Understanding statutory and regulatory legal protections for children •Creating balance for the whole family Most importantly, maintaining a child’s health and happiness is underlined throughout. Drawing on author Steven Beer’s extensive contacts in the industry, the book quotes the personal experiences of industry players, stars and their parents, and veteran sources. This indispensable guide will help parents ensure that their children are instilled with morals and values that will make them not just good performers, but good people, capable of becoming responsible adults who will run their own careers someday. Allworth Press, an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing, publishes a broad range of books on the visual and performing arts, with emphasis on the business of art. Our titles cover subjects such as graphic design, theater, branding, fine art, photography, interior design, writing, acting, film, how to start careers, business and legal forms, business practices, and more. While we don't aspire to publish a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are deeply committed to quality books that help creative professionals succeed and thrive. We often publish in areas overlooked by other publishers and welcome the author whose expertise can help our audience of readers.