Where the wild tales are

Howdy, folks.

Summer is almost here and boys and girls in Newport Beach are

getting ready to “Ride A Wild Tale,” the theme of the Newport Beach

Public Library summer reading program.

Many great new books are available to read this summer, both

fiction and nonfiction. The first few books are great stories to read

aloud to the youngsters. So get yourself settled out on the porch

rocker with a cold glass of lemonade and enjoy some of these fabulous

books.

“It’s Summer,” by Linda Glaser, tells the simple story about a

late-afternoon thunderstorm and a child’s observation of the storm’s

effects on plants and animals. Simple outdoor activities are

included.

“The Dragon Machine,” by Helen Ward, tells the story of a lonely

boy named George who befriends dragons that no one else sees. He

needs to help them find their way home, so they go to the library in

search of a solution. He decides to build a dragon machine. He is

gone from home a long time and his parents are worried. Does George

finally get the dragons and himself home safe? You have to read the

book to find out.

“Ride Like the Wind: A Tale of the Pony Express,” by Bernie Fuchs,

is about the beauty and hardships of the Wild West as seen through

the eyes of one of the Pony Express riders, an orphan boy named

Johnny Free and his horse, JennySoo. We learn about the Pony Express

and some of the dangers riders faced each day as they struggled

through Indian land to get the mail delivered.

Ready for some true stories? Learn more about the Wild West by

checking out these nonfiction titles:

“Wild West,” by Stuart Murray, is a colorful DK Eyewitness book

that spans the whole American West, from explorers to the Pony

Express to a cowboy’s life. It includes wonderful pictures of

artifacts from that era.

If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to grow up in the Wild

West, then try “Growing Up in Pioneer America, 1800 to 1890” by Judith Josephson. This book talks about life on the western trail and

what it was like to live on the prairies.

To taste the Wild West, sample “Skillet Bread, Sourdough, and

Vinegar Pie” by Loretta Ichord. In addition to the eight recipes in

this book, there are details on how cowboys, ‘49ers and Oregon Trail

pioneers procured and cooked food. Open this book and learn how to

bake bread over a campfire or how to make sourdough flapjacks.

Horses were an important part of the Wild West. If you are a horse

lover, be sure to check out “Horses!” by Gail Gibbons and “Riding

School” by Catherine Saunders. These titles introduce young readers

to the physical characteristics of horses and the basics of

horsemanship and riding.

Stop by Newport Beach Public Library this summer to find these

great titles and join us for our summer reading program and special

performers including magicians, cowboys, storytellers and puppeteers.

* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public

Library. This week’s column is by Bonnie McLaren and Victoria

Campbell. All titles may be reserved from home or office computers by

accessing the catalog at https://www.newportbeach

library.org. For more information on the Central Library or any of

the branch locations, please contact the Newport Beach Public Library

at (949) 717-3800, option 2.