REGAN, Lisa . Magician . ISBN 978-1-4488-8094-2 ; ISBN 978-1-4488-8153-6 . LC 2012001528. REGAN, Lisa . Movie Star . ISBN 978-1-4888-8095-9 ; ISBN 978-1-4488-8154-3 . LC 2012052810. REGAN, Lisa . Pop Star . ISBN 978-1-4488-8096-6 ; ISBN 978-1-4488-8155-0 . LC 2012001529. ea vol: 32p. (Stage School Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. websites. Windmill . 2012. PLB $25.25; pap. $10. Gr 1-3 These titles provide an introduction to the dramatic arts for beginning readers. Bright covers, high-profile careers, and a magazinelike layout promise enormous shelf appeal. Each spread covers a different topic, guiding children through required equipment, basic skills, and vocabulary. Superstars of each field make frequent appearances, from David Blaine to Britney Spears; elements of their success are highlighted based on the spread's topic (for example, Movie Star uses Mike Myers's role in Shrek to discuss voice-overs and to provide a segue into accents). The large, color stock photographs occasionally feel like filler ( Magician is especially culpable), but do show children of all ages and ethnicities engaging in their craft. Regan emphasizes the importance of hard work, practice, determination-and luck-taking care to be upbeat without providing false hopes. Movie Star and Pop Star , based on their level of useful information and appeal to readers, are recommended. Ballet Dancer is also suitable if additional titles are needed to supplement the more-detailed Kat Castle's My First Ballet Book (Kingfisher, 2006). Beyond its graphic shortcomings, Magician also suffers from unclear writing and a dearth of tricks-this volume can be skipped. Rebecca Dash Donsky, New York Public Library