Magic carpet ride

Deirdre Newman

Robert Presti didn’t know what he was getting himself into when he

decided to spend Tuesday morning with his son at the Giant Step Learning

Center in Costa Mesa.

While performing a show to promote literacy at the preschool, actors

from the Carpet One Magic Carpet Time Tour enlisted Presti to join the

Pinocchio fairy tale they were reenacting, dressing him in fairy wings, a

blue fairy skirt and a feather boa.

Instead of flinching, Presti -- a manly New Yorker -- took on the role

with gusto, helping his 4-year-old son, Andrew, and the other children

learn about the joy of reading in the process.

Part of a national tour, the show was sponsored locally by John Blouse

Carpet One of Costa Mesa. The company is an avid proponent of reading.

“When we were in school, they didn’t make [reading] so much fun,” said

David Duhamel, sales manager.

During the show, the youngsters -- ages 2 to 6 -- were seated on their

own magic carpets, swaying back and forth and repeating the mantra,

“Magic carpet, time to arrive. Take us to the other side,” as they

traveled to Mexico, Africa, China and Italy.

In each country, the actors became various characters and introduced

different literary genres, such as poetry, folk tales and fairy tales.

After the show, the actors mingled with the children, handing out

books for them to take home.

“I liked it,” Andrew said of the show, as he eagerly thumbed through

one of the books.

Mel Lindsey, director of the learning center, said he was delighted

when the sponsors of the show decided to alight their magic carpet at his

location.

“Reading is the most important skill for gaining success in school,”

Lindsey said. “In order for children to become familiar with the process,

everything is promoted by interest and enthusiasm.”

Besides Presti, many other parents were also present to share their

joy of reading with their children.

“I loved it,” said Chelo Torres, who also works at the center. The

kids “haven’t had this much fun in a long time.”

Torres said that right after the show, her son, Joshua Horta, came

over and asked her to read to him when they got home.

Actor Kristi Heaps, who played the part of the librarian, said she

didn’t realize how rewarding the tour would be.

“When they let the kids sit and talk to us and some don’t know how to

read or want to learn more, we’re like heroes,” Heaps said.

* Deirdre Newman covers education. She may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at o7 [email protected] .