CHECK IT OUT:Celebrate National Library Week

From April 15-21, the Newport Beach Public Library joins libraries throughout the country in celebrating National Library Week.

The weeklong festivities at your local libraries include author appearances, a young people’s poetry workshop, children’s programs and celebrity story-times featuring Newport Beach City Council members.

For a complete schedule of events, visit our website at www.newportbeachlibrary.org . Here’s a preview of the upcoming library activities and some suggested reading.

Authors in the Library

“Harriman’s Travel Guidebooks” by Brett Harriman: Spend an evening, starting at 7 p.m., Thursday, April 19, with author/adventurer Brett Harriman as he presents a digital slideshow called “Germany and Austria: Quest for the Bavarian Cross.” After leading tours for more than 100,000 people in five years, visiting Munich, Berlin, Vienna, Salzburg, the Black Forest, and other popular destinations, Harriman’s guidebook reads like an adventure novel. In another innovative feature of his book, he provides Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates for easy site locations. This program is free and open to the public.

“The Future of Islam: Toward the Islamic Revolution,” presented by Reza Aslan: The Newport Beach Public Library Foundation’s Distinguished Speaker Lecture Series presents a respected Harvard scholar and expert on Islam and the Middle East. As detailed in his book, “No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam,” Aslan will explore the intricate interplay between faith and politics in the Muslim world. The evening lecture at 7 p.m., Friday, April 20, includes wine reception, dessert and coffee with a book signing for $40 per person. The afternoon lecture at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 21, includes refreshments and book signing for $25 per person. Tickets are required. Call (949) 548-2411 to make your reservations.

“Feather in the Storm” by Emily Wu and Larry Englemann: This modern-day fictional tale tells the story of a courageous young girl growing up in a violent, revolution-battered, contemporary China. Hear the authors discuss the dramatic background for their work. This literary event is free and open to the public 7 p.m. Monday, April 16, in the Friends Meeting Room at the Central Library.

Young People’s Poetry Workshop

Future poets will discover creative tips and, perhaps, inspiration for writing their own poems at one of these two workshops. They will learn about different types of poetry, how to get ideas for poetry, and listen to librarians reading examples of famous poems. Crean Mariners Branch Library hosts the after-school poetry fun for kindergarten through third-grades and fourth- through sixth-grades at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 17, and Thursday, April 19. Registration is required for these free programs, but they’re open to all would-be wordsmiths and young people celebrating the newest local library in their lives.

“Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White: Wilber the Pig and his friend, Charlotte the Spider, live on the imaginary Zuckerman Farm in this children’s classic tale. When Wilber discovers he is destined to be Christmas dinner, Charlotte decides to help him. Now kids can spend their afternoon at 3:30 p.m., either on Wednesday, April 11, or Wednesday, April 18, enjoying games, contests, snacks and crafts and other “farm fun” at the library. Registration is required for this free program.

Celebrity Storytimes

Expect Newport Beach City Manager Homer Bludau to come dressed appropriately for his 7 p.m. Monday, April 16, reading of bedtime stories for Central Library’s Pajama Storytime. All youngsters are encouraged to wear their PJs. At 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 17, City Councilman Michael Henn will read great tales at the Balboa Branch Library’s Pre-school Storytime. At 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 18, Mayor Steve Rosansky will read at the Central Library’s Toddler Storytime and City Councilwoman Nancy Gardner will read at the 10:30 a.m. Toddler Storytime in the Central Storytime Room. Storytimes are always free and do not require registration — only imagination.

is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public Library. This week’s column is by Mary Ellen Bowman. Use your Newport Beach Public Library card to reserve these titles at www.newportbeachlibrary.org or call (949) 717-3800 and press 2 for more information.