WHAT BOOK would TV presenter, magician and comedian Stephen Mulhern take to a desert
WHAT BOOK would TV presenter, magician and comedian Stephen Mulhern take to a desert island?
. . .are you reading now?
I am really enjoying Richard Osman’s latest thriller, The Bullet That Missed. Richard’s writing is full of wit. He creates characters that are so convincing, just like people you might meet in real life.
The mystery is absolutely gripping and has got me hooked — every twist and turn makes me second guess myself. I’m dying to read the next one.
. . .would you take to a desert island?
I would take an encyclopedia of magic, illusions and magical history, as there is always so much to learn. I have been fascinated with magic for as long as I can remember, and have been inspired by lots of magicians from the past.
Stephen would make the most of his time on the desert island to learn even more about magic, illusions and magical history
I would have heaps of time to practice and perfect my performance, just like my character Max in my new children’s book Max Magic. I believe in trying and trying again to get a trick right and never giving up.
. . .first gave you the reading bug?
The Cat In The Hat by Dr Seuss. It’s full of fun and mischief, and it’s great to read aloud.
The story of The Cat in the Hat rubbed off on Stephen when he was a child and set him on course for where he is now
This was the first time I realised I like playing practical jokes on people, so the story rubbed off on me and set me on course for where I am now.
It’s so important that kids see reading as something that is fun. When I was younger, I used to dress up as the cat as well, with the hat and the gloves and the red tie!
. . .left you cold?
The Lord Of The Rings — it wasn’t my cup of tea.
I love the fact that there are so many different kinds of books to discover — there really is something for everyone. But for me, humour and mysteries will always be top of the pile.
- Max Magic: The Greatest Show On Earth by Stephen Mulhern and Tom Easton, illustrated by Begoña Fernández Corbalán, is published by Piccadilly Press, £7.99.