CHECK IT OUT

Reading can be a magic carpet for kids -- a means of exploring fantasy

worlds and mythical universes, as well as fictional settings that reflect

their own. When they “Get Carried Away” with books, young readers will be

embracing the theme for the 82nd observance of National Children’s Book

Week, which will be observed Monday through Nov. 18.

There are many ways to mark the occasion, from dressing up as

storybook characters to acting out chapters of favorite books. Dozens of

activities that encourage literary fun are at https://www.cbcbooks.org,

hosted by the Children’s Book Council.Since 1919, this nonprofit

association has promoted the joys of juvenile literature during the week

before Thanksgiving.

Perhaps the best way to celebrate is to give in to the pleasures of

new and classic children’s fiction. In the former category, Lemony

Snicket has amassed a legion of fans, mostly age 9 and older, with his

gleefully snide “Series of Unfortunate Events.” Filled with bleak

episodes that never turn out as one might hope, these linguistically

playful books recall the droll humor of Roald Dahl and Charles Dickens.

A similar breed of tongue-in-cheek wit informs Jon Scieszka’s popular

“Time Warp Trio” series. Through the adventures of Joe, Sam and Fred,

preteens can venture vicariously into King Arthur’s court, the Wild West,

the Stone Age, ancient Egypt and the future. In “Sam Samurai,” the newest

installment, the intrepid time travelers are working on a haiku homework

assignment when they trigger the mystical mechanism that lands them in

17th century Japan.

Fractured fairy tales are the basis for Gail Carson Levine’s “The

Princess Tales,” another winning series with a rapt preteen following. In

“Cinderellis and the Glass Hill,” the most recently published of the

hand-sized volumes, Cinderellis is a boy with two unfriendly brothers, no

fairy godmother, a talent for silly inventions and a crush on a princess

who thinks he’s a monster.

With the adventures of “behaviorally challenged” George and Harold,

Dav Pilkey has captivated a slightly younger audience. When they

hypnotize their school principal and turn him into a comic book hero in

“The Adventures of Captain Underpants,” the mischievous fourth-graders

never expect mean Mr. Krupp to start chasing bad guys in his skivvies.

While they’re not ideal role models, the two provide enough silliness to

make eager readers of second- to fourth-graders who have never willingly

picked up a book before.

Before any of these pranksters appeared in print, such rogues as Max

in “Where the Wild Things Are” were introducing preschoolers to the magic

of books. Three- through 7-year-olds can enjoy such inspiration at the

Newport Beach Central Library at 10:30, 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Nov. 17. At

these special story times, members of the library’s Young Adult Advisory

Council will dramatize Maurice Sendak’s classic tale, “Mr. Gumpy’s Motor

Car” and several other popular children’s works -- a perfect way to

celebrate Children’s Book Week.

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

Library. This week’s column is by Melissa Adams, in collaboration with

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

accessing the catalog at https://www.newportbeachlibrary.org.