DAPHNE, Ala. — As Daphne Public Library’s summer reading program draws to a close at the end of this week, when the children’s reading logs are due, children had their last opportunities to attend some fun events.

On Monday, children gathered in the Daphne Recreation Center to watch the tricks of Russell Davis. Davis’ show centered on the magic of reading. He showed children some of his tricks, while he explained how he learned the tricks by reading books. He told the children that when you read a lot of books, you can learn how to do the tricks and even create some of your own. Davis is a professional comedy magician who weaves humor into his magic tricks to captivate his audiences.

“His show is called ‘The Magic of Reading.’ He has been here before. He is a comedian and a magician. He is very good with the kids. He does simple tricks but he is very good with kids,” Fanny Barnett, children’s librarian said.

The 45-minute show was packed with illusions that kept the children’s attention. During the show, Davis made bunnies appear, disappear, jump and multiply; he introduced the children to optical illusions and made drawings and colors appear in a blank book. Davis called on members of the audience to assist him in his magic tricks.

Stephanie Barfield of Fairhope brought her two children to the magic event. “Daphne library has the best programs for toddlers, so we come here often,” Barfield said. Justin Barfield, 3, of Fairhope, described his favorite part of the show. “My favorite part was the bunny part,” Barfield said, referring to when Davis made a rabbit jump and disappear.

Hannah Hutchins, 7, of Daphne, won a prize during the event. “I liked the whole magic show and I liked winning a prize,” she said. Hutchins is also participating in the summer reading program. “I have almost filled up my reading log. I just have to read one more (book),” she said.

Monty Reynolds, 5, of Daphne, thought the magic show was fun. “I liked everything,” Reynolds said.

Cissy Morrison, 4, of Daphne, said her favorite part was when Davis made colors appear in the coloring book. 

Graham Morrison, 6, of Daphne, was amazed by the magic. “My favorite part of the magic show was when the chicken jumped,” he said.

His mother said they are frequent visitors to the library. “We try to come to all the library events that we can. They are free and they are good for the kids, and I have a bunch of them,” Tara Morrison said.

The summer reading program began with a kickoff on June 6.  The theme of this year’s program is “One World, Many Stories,” for young children and “You are Here” for middle and high school aged students.

During the summer reading program, children of all ages have been keeping up with the books they read in June on their reading logs, which they will turn in on June 30.

The children have been encouraged to write down the number of pages they have read, and librarians said it didn’t matter if they were reading a chapter book, a magazine or a newspaper — as long as they were reading.

The top readers in each age group will receive awards and prizes at the awards ceremony on July 4 at 4:30 p.m.

The festivities continue with movies. June 29 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. the library will be showing “Tangled,” and on June 30 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. the library will show “How to Train Your Dragon.”

For more information about the summer reading program contact the Daphne Public Library at 251-621-2818.

"Marvelous Mondays" at the Daphne Public Library featured The Zinghoppers, a duo that sure inspired the kids in attendance to get up on their feet and dance. (Staff video by Shea Zirlott; edited by Thomas Boni)

"Marvelous Mondays at the Daphne Public Library features magician Russell Davis.

(Staff video by Shea Zirlott; edited by Thomas Boni)