Singing their praises

Marissa Espino

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- The children’s summer reading program at the Central

Library rewarded its participants who read at least 50 books in the past

eight weeks with a performance by a popular children’s singer-songwriter.

Dave Kinnoin performed Friday for about 1,000 children and their parents

at Central Park’s amphitheater.

“I like to read because it’s fun and you learn,” said Myranda Keller, 6,

as she stood in line to get Kinnoin’s autograph.

Myranda read more than 100 books with her mother, Kellie and 3-year-old

sister, Marin.

“[The program] kept her busy and not in front of the TV and video games,”

Kellie Keller said. “Sometimes I would go upstairs and she would be

reading a book [on her own].”

Children’s librarian Mary-Pat Gonzalez said the children’s section

circulated 39,000 books last month and that story times have doubled in

attendance since 1994.

About 3,800 children, from 2 to 12 years old, participated in this year’s

summer program, which was titled “Long Ago and Far Away... A Dragon’s

Tale.” The program is sponsored by the Friends of the Children’s Library.

“We are just thrilled,” Gonzalez said. “The library is always full of

children and families.”