By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

EDGARD – The St. John the Baptist Parish Public Library system kicked off its Summer Reading Program this week with a string of performances by Houma-based magician David LeBoeuf.

LeBoeuf started his act by telling the children how he got involved in magic. It was a particularly relevant tale for the day as he told the children he first began learning about magic through books he found at his local library.

After the short exposition, the magic began, and — abracadabra — the children were enraptured.

LeBoeuf has performed in a variety of locales from the streets of the French Quarter to nightclubs along the East Coast, but his style seems particularly well suited to child-centric locations such as the library.

Using eager children as assistants and imparting some morals along the way, the youth delighted in the mystifying sights, barely aware they were also learning a little something along the way.

With a foundation of card tricks rounded out by a few more visually spectacular sights and a healthy dose of humor sprinkled throughout, LeBoeuf kept the 20 or so children at the Edgard library entranced for an hour.

What’s more, he concluded by touting the magical quality of the library, a place where anyone can borrow any book they like free of charge. Perhaps he even inspired a child or two to begin exploring the world of magic themselves.

The parish’s libraries continue their summer program next week with singer and storyteller Papillion, who will perform Wednesday and Thursday.