Kids Learn The ‘Magic’ Of Reading At Library Show

By GWENDOLYN WEILER

Moapa Valley Progress

“I am Adam London, and today we’re going to have a good time!” was the announcment from the man on stage to a roomful of kids and their parents.

London, a Las Vegas magician, who performs daily at the D Hotel on Fremont Street, made good on that promise. He wowed the full house at the Old Logandale School on Friday, June 22.

The magic show is one of the events being sponsored at libraries throughout the county as part of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District’s annual Club Read summer reading program for all children up through twelfth grade. It even includes babies and toddlers, who are encouraged to participate with the help of their parents.

This is London’s second year making his rounds throughout the county to support the program. “Anything to get kids to read, I will be there,” said London.

London’s own children, ages 6 and 2, are participating in the county-wide program.
Alise McCauley of Logandale, who came with her three children, said, “It was something fun to do outside of the house and outside of the heat.”

London worked closely with the audience throughout his performance. He invited several children to come up on stage at different times, and even adults were included in the fun. Little hands helped do card tricks, turn soda into water, and hold a rubber duck. One parent posed for a rudimentary marker-drawn portrait that started to talk and sing, while other parents had their minds read.

Amy Warburton from Logandale was pleasantly surprised when her eight-year-old daughter, Jane, was invited on stage. Warburton said three of her four children, ages 2, 6, and 8, are participating in the reading program.

London, who encouraged all in attendance to participate in the program, said he’s had a life-long love of reading and is now passing that on to the next generation.
“I’ve been doing magic since I was 8 years old, and it was reading that got me involved,” London said.

London’s grandfather was an amateur magician who would bribe him to come over and do yardwork by showing him his tricks.
“After teaching me as many as he could, he’d say, ‘If you want to learn more, there’s a book—go pick it up and start reading,’” London said.

The Moapa Valley Library hosts a story time or activity every Friday at 11:15 a.m. in conjunction with the summer reading program, which runs June 1 to July 31. Warburton said she uses these activities as an incentive for her children to read.
“I personally have them earn the Friday activity,” Warburton said. “They each have to read 30 minutes a day during quiet time. If they do that, they can go.”

The Fratello Marionettes will be coming to the Old Logandale School on Monday, July 9, at 11:15 a.m. as the next big, sponsored event. The library activity for Friday, June 29, has a Jungle Safari theme.