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Margaret Clauder Presents: Preschool Programs

Give your daycare the gift of an MCP show!
After hundreds of shows, Margaret understands the unique needs of the daycare market. Her characters are known and loved in countless daycares by thousands of children. You will rarely find someone who is more aware of the special requirements of these young audiences. Margaret's characters are warm, friendly, energetic, and so easy for children to accept that many times at the end of a show she is mobbed by little ones who want to give her a hug.

"Hello there -
Yesterday your performance was out of this world. You were wonderful!!!! Thank you for coming and for such a wonderful time.
"

- Sacha Loudermilk, Children's Courtyard Matlock Rd. Arlington, TX

Please note:
Bernadette is not on the website but she still is available to do shows (Bubble Shows, Bug Shows, Tooth Fairy, Shake and Move). Just email us and put it in your comments or CALL our sister company: DFW Funny Business at 817-265-5696

All preschool programs are for indoors ONLY

These shows are new. How new? We don't even have pictures. We know each show has a bunch of fun packed in, just waiting to pop out like a tube of Pop'n Fresh dough - delightful! Read on and book her while you can!




Oceans of Fun with Captain Maggie

Margaret as Sailor Maggie from the 2007 summer show Sail Into Books.

Margaret’s Oceans of Fun is a show FILLED with LOTS and LOTS of puppet characters that come to life right before your eyes! Oceans of Fun features the story, Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea, an enchanting story told by Captain Maggie with Elmer the puppet and ventriloquism galore! Elmer goes on a deep sea adventure children will always remember! He encounters everything from sharks to submarines, pirates to porpoises, and finally emerges from his adventure in time for Mom to “dry him off” from the adventure in the tub! Children can sing along to old favorites like Octopus's Garden and Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini. This is sure to be popular with audiences 2 and up!

Why not go ahead and book today? Check her calendar; get show pricing; then send a booking form.



Photo of Senorita Margarita, a character created by Margaret Clauder.
This is an authentic Folklorico dress from the Jalisco region of Mexico. Margaret demonstrates the Mexican Hat dance during the Senorita Margarita show.

Fiesta de Mexico with Señorita Margarita

Celebrate Latin culture with Señorita Margarita. Margaret's family influences include a husband and mother-in-law whose heritage is from Spain, cousins from Puerto Rico, and nieces from Mexico. While not a Latina herself, she has a unique appreciation of the culture and traditions through her own family, friends, and extensive travels. With expert storytelling she tells the Cuban folk tale "Martina the Beautiful Cockroach". She wears a colorful, traditional Jalisco dress. Her show features Maria Rosita the puppet who tries to learn "La Cucaracha" in a hilarious children's rendition of the song. Also featured is La Raspa (the Mexican Hat Dance) and Mariachi Loco, a trumpet playing marionette who will bring the house down when his pants fall off! This is an energetic celebration of Latin culture.

Ages 3+

Ready to have her at your daycare?
Click her online calendar to check the date. If it is open;
click the booking form to schedule a show for your center; or
click for pricing on this program.

Thumbnail photo of Margaret Clauder dressed in a Jalisco region dress with a decorated sombrero.
 
Thumbnail picture of Senorita Margarita, holding her dress with one hand, and a gold sombrero with the other.
Señorita Margarita shares the beauty of her Jalisco, Mexico dress, a traditional outfit worn by women of the region for celebrations.   Senorita Margarita with Mariachi Loco


Photo of the Bookworm character.
The Bookworm shows just how big you can grow by reading! This show is tightly tied to books, and even has a talking book puppet. This is an excellent choice for libraries or literacy grant programs.

Let's READ! With The Bookworm (accredited by Young Audiences)

Let's READ! With The Bookworm (Accredited by Young Audiences). This character is a storyteller in an adorable open face worm costume. She uses props and audience volunteers to tell popular children's stories and encourage a love for reading and books. Current titles are: The Kissing Hand, and Mean Soup. Older stories available for school age.

Ages 3+

"Thank you so much for letting us participate in Target Tellebration this year. Our guest was Margaret Clauder, the Book Worm. She was awesome. The 351 students that had the privilege of listening and seeing her presentation were fully engaged. They enjoyed her enthusiasm and energy. It was a positive, educational experience."
--Monica Dubiski, Library Media Specialist - LBJ Elementary

I was looking at your website and saw that you are the Book Worm. I saw your performance when I was teaching at Kennedy Learning Center in Dallas. My students and I absolutely loved your show. It was a fantastic performance[!]" 
--Angie Davis

Ready to have her at your daycare?
Click her online calendar to check for availability. If the date is open;
click the booking form to schedule a show for your center; or
click for pricing on this program.



Wild About Reading! w/Masai Maggie

Photograph of Margaret Clauder as Masai Maggie, with the elephant puppet Sneezy, squirting her with water.

As a Safari clad storyteller, Margaret performs the popular children's book, "Stand Back Said the Elephant I'm Going to Sneeze". Using her brilliant puppetry and ventriloquism skills, this book will come to life as various animal puppets tell the rhyming tale. Margaret wraps up the show with crazy animal magic when Rocky the Baby Raccoon magically appears, disappears, and reappears in the craziest place imaginable! Ages 3+

"Dear Margaret,
Thank you for being a part of Kids Fair Safari 2008! We had a great time and enjoyed your performances. We look forward to seeing you at future events! Thanks"
- Jennifer and Joan,
Post Oak Mall College Station, TX

Masai Maggie with Sneezy the Elephant, a mischievous puppet who squirts her with water from his trunk. Sneezy is such an imp! Click her online calendar for availability. If the date is open;
click the booking form to schedule a show for your center; or
click for pricing on this program.
 
Picture of Masai Maggie holding the book Stand Back Said The Elephant I'm Going To Sneeze.   Photo of Margaret Clauder as Masai Maggie, posing with Sneezy The Elephant, a puppet in the show.

Masai Maggie loves to read, and here, she is holding
and laughing at one of her favorite books!

  Sneezy and Masai Maggie are always friends. Yes, Sneezy
can be playful, but at heart, he's always a sweet elephant.


Reading and Rhyming with the Original Mother Goose (accredited)

YouTube Channel
Photo of Mother Goose (played by Margaret Clauder) with Goosey and Lamby perched on her lap.
 
Picture of Mother Goose introducing Goosie to the audience.
Meet Goosey and Lamby, 2 stars of the show. Here Goosey shares a rhyme - Lamby and Mother Goose learn it with the audience.   Hello, everyone - meet my special puppet friend, Goosey! The kids will enjoy this show!

This popular character encourages children to read Mother Goose books and play the Mother Goose pretend game. She teaches the rhymes to the children and has special helpers act out the various rhymes utilizing props. She has a hilarious show with lots of puppets and ventriloquism. Kids love Lamby, Mary, Goosey, Itsy Bitsy, and the other puppets Mother Goose brings for the program. Age 2+

Ready to have Mother Goose at your daycare?
Click her online calendar to check for availability. If the date is open;
Click for the booking form to schedule this program; or
Click for show pricing.

Photograph of Margaret Clauder as Mother Goose, posing with 2 puppets in her lap.
 
Photo of Mother Goose listening to Goosey (a puppet) with Lamby (a puppet) as well.
Mother Goose poses for a 'family' photo. Be sure to get a picture the day of the show!   Here Goosey is sharing one of the rhymes that he knows; while poor Lamby tries and tries to get a word in edgewise!


Weather Wonders with Meteorologist Maggie

Meteorologist Maggie with Cloudia the cumulonimbus cloud

Water and the water cycle is what drives the weather on Earth. In this program children will not only learn in a fun and engaging way how the water cycle works, they will learn about all kinds of weather phenomena including rain, snow, hail, and tornadoes! Water is the only natural substance on earth that can take the form of a liquid, a solid, and a gas. This will all be demonstrated with the help of meteorological magic! Cloudia the cloud puppet will help the children learn about the cumulonimbus cloud with the help of Meteorologist Maggie’s excellent ventriloquism skills. They’ll also see a drawing of Frosty the Snowman come to life and review the states of matter with examples of precipitation.

Learning Points

  1. Children will hear the word "evaporation" and learn what it means.
  2. Various weather phenomena will be demonstrated including tornadoes.
  3. Children will see puppetry and ventriloquism.

Want to have Meteorologst Maggie at your school?
Click her online calendar to check availability. Date open?
click here for a school reservation form; or,
click for your Pricing Zone.
For TEKS click here
Read the 2018 Learning Partners Quality Survey for this show

"Margaret, Thank you again for visiting our campus today. I've heard so much positive feedback from teachers and students alike. Students were engaged and learning. What more can we ask for? I look forward to scheduling you to come see us again next school year."
— Darla Cowan, Testing, Federal Programs, and Activities Coordinator, Harmony Science Academy-Fort Worth

"Just wanted to let you know every teacher who attended just loved the show. I myself couldn't stop talking about it. We will definitely be booking again!"
— I. Morales, Callejo Elementary

Click here to watch a short video on Weather Wonders with Meteorologist Maggie



Thumbnail of Margaret Clauder dressed as Bucky the Cowgirl, a character in her library reading show.
Bucky combines a beautiful, friendly looking outfit with character puppets kids and adults will love!

Wild About the West with Bucky the Cowgirl

Bucky tells a tall tale with the help of her puppet friends, Sheriff Kermit, Get-a-long the dog, and Giddy-up the Pony, about an outlaw puppet "Hound-Dog the Kid" who took books home from school without permission. Children participate in a wild West adventure as they rope Hound Dog and teach him it's not nice to take things without permission, crime doesn't pay, and books are free on loan from the library!

Ages 3+

Ready to have her at your daycare?
Click her online calendar to check for availability. If the date is open;
click the booking form to schedule a show for your center; or
click for pricing on this program.

Thumbnail of Bucky the Cowgirl scolding her horse for kicking her.
Small picture of Margaret Clauder with a frog puppet.
Thumbnail picture of Margaret Clauder dressed as Bucky, balancing a stick horse on her finger.
Sometimes Gitalong can act badly; he has kicked Bucky and left a big pair of hoof prints on her dress! Meet the sheriff, Kermit. He plays a key role in teaching Hound Dog that libraries loan books, and anyone can have a library card. During the program, Bucky demonstrates how to balance a horse - on 1 finger! A useful skill for when you really need it.


Photo of Patchy the Funny Fall Scarecrow.
Poor Patchy - with a head full of straw, it is no wonder that Jimmy the Crow can play so many tricks on her! Friendly, and educational - Patchy is a hit wherever she goes!

Celebrate the Harvest with Patchy the Funny Fall Scarecrow

(Available September 15 - November 2 ONLY)

This is a non-scary "clown" scarecrow. She performs fall magic and songs about harvest time. Children will learn and participate in "The seed cycle" song where audience volunteers are used. They will laugh at her puppet, "Jimmy the Crow," as he steals the corn. Tie in with harvest time in your school.

Ages 3+

Ready to have her at your daycare?
Click her online calendar to check the date. If it is open;
click the booking form to schedule a show for your center; or
click for pricing on this program.


Hooray for the USA with Patriotic Patty
(June/July only)

Hooray for the USA with Patriotic Patty! This show utilizes red, white, and blue American Flag magic, Uncle Sam the Puppet and his friends, and a surprise ending with an explosion of confetti (safe indoor fireworks) all over the kids as we salute America! Schoolers enjoy showing what they know about our country as well as learning some new interesting facts about the USA.

Ages 3+

Ready to have her at your daycare?
Click her online calendar to check the date. If it is open;
click the booking form to schedule a show for your center; or
click for pricing on this program.

Picture of Margaret Clauder dressed as Patriotic Patty, a school show entertainer, ventriloquist, and puppeteer.
Patriotic Patty ends her show with a surprise
appearance by the United States flag!
Photograph of Patriotic Patty with her Uncle Sam puppet.
Patriotic Patty with her American friend Uncle Sam,
one of the funny characters from Hurray for the USA!
Photo of Bernice Bunny.
Margaret was one of the first to develop an open face bunny character. Bernice is approachable and interesting to watch.

Bunnies are Funny with Bernice the Bunny

(Available the month of and the month before Easter ONLY)

Bernice is a cute, open face bunny who teaches children interactively to be good helpers by telling the story of "The Little Red Hen" with puppetry and ventriloquism. The show features fun Bunny magic. Bernice concludes her show by producing a live bunny that the children will be able to see.

Ages 3+

Click here to view photos

Ready to have her at your daycare?
Click her online calendar to check the date. If it is open;
click the booking form to schedule a show for your center; or
click for pricing on this program.


Spring is in the Air with Mother Nature

Photo of the Mother Nature Character.   Photo of the Mother Nature Character.
Let's meet Audrey, a completely
harmless plant. Correct?
  Maybe Audrey is named for another, not-so-harmless plant.

Meet Audrey the Venus fly trap and also Mama Racoon, a puppet who sings and acts silly. Mother Nature will tell 2 stories. The first is A Tree For Me, and the second is Calvin the Caterpillar, a tale about a caterpillar changing to a butterfly. She'll have the kids wide eyed as magical butterflies dance above their heads, bringing more delight to the show which teaches about our natural world. This is a show just right to welcome spring, to celebrate Earth Day, or educate the children about some unusual, different creatures who share our world. Mother Nature will enchant the children as they learn more about nature! Ages 3+

Ready to have her at your daycare?
Click her online calendar to check the date. If it is open;
click the booking form to schedule a show for your center; or
click for pricing on this program.

Photo of the Mother Nature Character.   Photo of the Mother Nature Character.
Yes, Mother Nature seems completely at ease with Audrey.   Could you be this calm with a huge Venus fly trap next to you?

Photo of Lovey Dovey holding the talking lips puppet.
A puppet which gives the biggest kiss anyone ever got - meet Priscilla Puckerup. She is one of the puppets bringing a sweet message of love in a show perfect for Valentine's Day, or the whole month of February.

Love, Love, Love, with Lovey Dovey

(Available January 15 to February 20 ONLY)

January/February – Dressed in a large Heart costume, Lovey will entertain children with her puppets singing silly love songs. Children will delight in pretending to be "Cupid" as they magically shoot Lovey's heart with their invisible arrows! Watch the amazing valentine card magic trick and laugh at Grouchy the Dinosaur as he learns about the importance of love and being kind to others!

Ages 3+

Ready to have her at your daycare?
Click her online calendar to check the date. If it is open;
click the booking form to schedule a show for your center; or
click for pricing on this program.

Photo of Lovey Dovey with Grouchy the dragon puppet.
 
Photo of Lovey Dovey holding a pink paper heart, used for a magic trick in her Valentine's Day show.
Lovey Dovey brings a lot of 'heart' to her work. This is another MCP costume that reinforces the theme of the show, and delights the audience!   How do you repair a broken heart? During the show, Lovey Dovey performs a little magic with a torn and restored paper heart.

Photo of Alphie the Elf.
Alphie's show reminds the audience of the values associated with Christmas without turning preachy.

Holidays are Here! With Alphie the Elf

(Available end of November to December 23 ONLY)

This show combines Christmas songs, puppetry, and magic. Puppets sing familiar songs like "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth" and "I'm Getting' Notin' for Christmas". Children delight in performing with Alphie to "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" and watching Rudolph's nose magically appear and dance from child to child.

All ages.

Ready to have her at your daycare?
Click her online calendar to check the date. If it is open;
click the booking form to schedule a show for your center; or
click for pricing on this program. .


"Thanks so much for the fabulous show on Friday! We loved it- all ages, including adults loved it! That is impressive to appeal to that many age groups. We look forward to booking you again in the future." - Jennifer Davis, Broadway Baptist Church



Story of Thanksgiving with Singing Bird or Anthropologist Annie

Photo of Singing Bird reading The First Thanksgiving.

(Available the month of November ONLY)

The story of Thanksgiving beginning with the Pilgrims voyage to the New World and ending with the 3 day feast celebration. A message of love and acceptance of people from different cultures and backgrounds will be emphasized. Children will see and learn about real Native American artifacts. They’ll hear about what they were used for and how they were made. Music, magic, and storytelling are used. This is a good show for schoolers!

Ages 3+

Ready to have her at your daycare?
Click her online calendar to check the date. If it is open;
click the booking form to schedule a show for your center; or
click for pricing on this program.

"Thank you so much! We had so much fun and the kids enjoyed it!!! We appreciate you!" - Lauri Meier, Center Director, KinderCare Learning Center Bedford

 
Singing Bird instructs children in Native American farming, which planted squash and corn seeds with a small fish to serve as fertilizer. Of course, she adds a touch which the audience really enjoys!   Singing Bird uses many American Indian themed props in her show. The audience has a clear sense of cultural difference right from the start of the program!



Photo of Maggie The Magical Clown.
Maggie is perplexed by things any child can understand,and she is so friendly, kids feel safe helping.

Let's Make Magic with Maggie the Magical Clown™

Maggie performs a magical variety show. Children will be asked to be audience volunteers as she performs her whacky magic. Sometimes the magic backfires on Maggie or does not turn out quite the way she expected, but with the help of the children and a few "magic" words things always seem to turn out fine in the end.

Ages 3+

Ready to have her at your daycare?
Click her online calendar to check the date. If it is open;
click the booking form to schedule a show for your center; or
click for pricing on this program.


Santa Claus

Available for pictures on his lap or visiting classrooms. Book in July for best availability! One of our Santa's (with natural beard) books up a year in advance for weekends in December! Call early! Santa for photos: Real Beard - $185/hr. Fake Beard - $150/hr. Fake beard Santa can bring his own Santa chair and backdrop!

Click for the booking form to schedule a Santa for your center.
Click for pricing.



Preschool Reservation Form

Please note: All preschool programs are for indoors ONLY

  •  -  - Pick a Date
  •  -
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  • :
  • Reload
  • Should be Empty:

Suggestions to make our shows work well for you! Please review with staff.

1. SET UP: It is ideal if we can set up our show in an empty classroom. If that is not an option, ask the teacher to keep the children busy in another part of the room while we set up or take them outside to play. Most shows take 5 minutes to set up, but some may take 10-15 minutes. We also do not figure into our set up time moving or arranging your classroom before our show. We ask that you have the performance area clear when we arrive so that we may get right to work setting up our show. It is best not to bring all the children in to watch us until we are totally set up and ready to go! Watching us set up sometimes takes away from the "magic" of the show itself. It destroys the magic if children are allowed to watch the set-up and tear-down of these shows.

2. AGE APPROPRIATENESS: We have guidelines on our shows to help you to judge what age we feel the show is appropriate for. Please try to not let children go to a show that is too old for them. Their attention span is too short and they often cry during the show. Please follow our age guidelines as closely as possible. We love your children and we love performing for them, but we need your help in keeping order. We ask that centers have teachers attend shows and correct or attend to any problem children during a show so that it will be more enjoyable for everyone. Please have teachers sit with their own class! If a small child is crying we ask that they be temporarily removed from the room so as not to disrupt the show for the other children. *Some shows offer an age 2 version!

3. DISCIPLINE: We ask that the youngest children be seated at the back of the room sitting in chairs (or off to one side) with the oldest children sitting on the floor up front if we are in an unusual costume. This way little ones can see the entertainer at a comfortable distance. They can observe the older children interacting with the character and can learn from this experience instead of being frightened by it. We have found that the younger ones are less disruptive if sitting in chairs at the back (or off to one side). They are also the children most likely to cry during a show. They are much easier to attend to or remove from the room without disrupting the show for the other children if they are seated at the back (or side). If the youngest children are sitting at the front of the room when a loud noise happens or water squirts out unexpectedly for example, they are the most likely to "freak" out, so that is just another reason why they should not be seated at the performers feet during the show.

Also, this is a learning experience for all your children. They are learning proper behavior as audience members! This will be especially important for them when they enter school and have to sit quietly in a classroom full of students while the teacher talks. Therefore, we ask that your teachers set a good example for your students by not carrying on unnecessary conversations with other teachers during our show! We also ask that they put their cell phones away too! After the show we ask that the teachers help us in our efforts to leave your facility without disruption in a timely manner. Sometimes it works best if the children can go outside and play while we pack up – or go to another classroom.

We always welcome suggestions and comments from teachers and directors. Your comments help us to improve and provide the best entertainment possible.


MCP, bringing educational and entertaining programs to daycares and preschools all over the DFW metroplex, in towns and cities like Allen, Arlington, Dallas, Richardson, Plano, Frisco, and Fort Worth. For children age 2 and up, let MCP present a show that enriches and engages the children in your care. Your staff will be glad of a visit from MCP, too!