Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Cabe Library reading program closes with magic show fun

The Cabe Library 2006 summer reading program ended with a magic show on July 18.

After the entertainment, top readers were announced and recognized by childrens librarian Julie Watson.

Scott Davis, magician from Benton, presented, "The Magic of Reading." Davis said he has done the magic show for 52 Arkansas libraries this summer.

Top Reader

The overall top reader at Cabe Library for the summer was Ashleigh Owens of Gurdon. She read 103 books within the six-week program. Owens also read the most books for a student who will start the second grade.

The top readers for each grade were announced by what grade level they will be in this fall.

For the first grade, the top reading winner was Kaylie Stone; second grade, Owens; third grade, Lindsey Shaver; fourth grade, Brandon Buck; fifth grade, Drew Kuhn; sixth grade, Alisha Wesson; and eighth grade, Kayla Sanford.

Those who reached goals for the summer of include Stone, Kyle Kuhn, Ryan Buck, Shaver, Owens, Jordan Sanford, Brittney Wesson, Brandon Buck, Drew Kuhn, Alisha Wesson and Kayla Sanford.

Davis performed tricks for an audience of approximately 30 readers, with a few parents mixed in the crowd.

"Libraries have the answers to so many questions," Davis told the crowd. "I first learned about magic tricks by reading a book in the library."

Between wands disappearing instead of turning colors, a handkerchief finally vanishing after several failed attempts, and a cookie that slid into view when it was supposed to be magically gone, Davis kept the crowd laughing.

He had audience participation from Jordan Sanford, who shook several wands to make a handkerchief disappear while top third grade reader Shaver waved the cloth in obedience to the magicians request.

The wands kept falling limp in Sanfords hand, drawing more laughter from the crowd. Davis said a magic phrase was needed to successfully complete the trick.

"I have to say reading is fun and then the handkerchief finally disappears," Davis said.

The handkerchief disappeared from Shavers hand and was found under a magic hat worn by the wand-bending Sanford.

Anahi Navarette, another reader who helped with the magic show, was given a blue cloth by Davis and it turned into a blue hat after the entertainer said, "reading is fun."

The magician told the children he had a pet rabbit named "Lucky Lucy." He showed them Lucys picture on one card and displayed three other cards with pictures of carrots.

Then he magically lost the rabbit card and displayed four cards with carrot pictures.

"Lucy the rabbit loves to get loose, but my favorite reading animal is Bob the Bookworm," Davis said. "Bob likes to sit around on my favorite card, which is a library card."

Davis suggested the children look for Bob again when their parents bring them to the library.

"Bringing a kid to the library is one of the nicest things you can do for him or her," Davis said.

Watson said more than 250 books were turned in for the 2006 Gurdon area summer reading program, "and all of our readers will get a participation certificate."