The Sunland-Tujunga Library kicked off its summer reading program for children on Monday morning with a delightful performance by Magician Tony Daniels.

Nearly 100 children, plus moms and grandmas, crowded the library's activities room to watch and take part in Tony's exciting magic show. The tall, slim, blue-eyed entertainer quizzed the kids about reading and got enthusiastic responses.

"Reading is Magic!" he made them shout several times. "You can do anything and go anywhere with books and your imagination!" he told the kids.

Calling first one, then another "volunteer" child to the front, Tony performed (and made the child think he was also performing) magic tricks. From separating linked coat hangers, to capturing candy bars from the air, he amazed kids and adults alike.

As a grand finale he invited a young magician and his "pretty assistant" to the front and helped him "suspend" her in midair!

As Tony finished the program, he turned a white pigeon in a cage into a soft, cuddly bunny, which he invited the kids to come up and pet as they exited.

"I've been doing this for 25 years," Tony said later. "It all started when I was 5 years old and saw a magician perform in a library. I asked where the books on magic were, and the rest is history."

Tony loves doing "Reading Is Magic" programs for libraries and schools, but he will also perform at private parties.

For more information, visit his Web site at www.themagicoftonydaniels.com.

Joey Watkins is in charge of the Children's Reading Club at the library. It began on June 23 and meets every Monday morning at 11 a.m.

When the kids sign up, they get a packet with fun things to do and a folder to record the books they read. Each week when they show the book title (and perhaps answer one of Joey's questions about the book), they receive a colorful lanyard (first time) and a cute rubber porcupine figure of their choice.

In the next five Mondays of summer, the children will meet "Actors and Others for Animals" (with some furry creatures), "Opera-kadabra" - a gentleman who performs Houdini-like tricks while singing, a Reptile Family, a Peruvian dance and song company, and "The Magic of Recycling."

On Thursday afternoons, from 4-5 p.m., John Pitre heads up the Teen Summer Reading Club for kids in sixth grade and up.

He focuses his afternoons on craft-making in the hopes of getting teens into the library and maybe interested in reading.

Last week, he helped 77 kids make chocolate candy! Next Thursday, he will demonstrate how to make things from duct tape.

In following weeks, they will make medicine bags, learn Chinese calligraphy writing, and make "Shrinky Dinks," jewelry, Alka-seltzer rockets, bracelets and dream catchers.

Kids can earn points by attending or reading books or writing book reviews. When they have five, their names are entered into a drawing for freeitems at a local bookstore.

Check out these cool and fun summer programs for kids at the Sunland-Tujunga Library, located at 7771 Foothill Blvd., Tujunga.

For more information, call 818-352-4481.

Here a list of area libraries, their addresses and phone numbers:

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY
Los Angeles Public Libraries
Canoga Park
20939 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, 818-887-0320

Chatsworth
21052 Devonshire St., Chatsworth, 818-341-4276

Encino-Tarzana
18231 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, 818-343-1983

Granada Hills
10640 Petit Ave., Granada Hills, 818-368-5687

North Hollywood
5211 Tujunga Ave., North Hollywood, 818-766-7185

Northridge
9051 Darby Ave., Northridge, 818-886-3640

Pacoima
13605 Van Nuys Blvd., Pacoima, 818-899-5203

Panorama City
14345 Roscoe Blvd., Panorama City, 818-894-4071

Platt
23600 Victory Blvd., Woodland Hills, 818-340-9386

Porter Ranch
11371 Tampa Ave., Porter Ranch, 818-360-5706

Sherman Oaks
14245 Moorpark St., Sherman Oaks, 818-205-9716

Studio City
12511 Moorpark St., Studio City, 818-755-7873

Sun Valley
7935 Vineland Ave., Sun Valley, 818-764-1338

Sunland-Tujunga
7771 Foothill Blvd., Tujunga, 818-352-4481

Sylmar
14561 Polk St., Sylmar, 818-367-6102

Valley Plaza
12311 Vanowen St., North Hollywood, 818-765-9251

Van Nuys
6250 Sylmar Ave, Van Nuys, 818-756-8453

West Valley Regional
19036 Vanowen St., Reseda, 818-345-9806

Woodland Hills
22200 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, 818-226-0017

OTHER LIBRARIES IN SAN FERNANDO VALLEY
Calabasas Public Library, 23975 Park Sorrento, 818-225-7616

San Fernando Public Library, 217 N. Maclay Ave., San Fernando, 818-365-6928

BURBANK
Burbank Central
110 North Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank, 818-238-5600

Buena Vista
300 North Buena Vista St., Burbank, 818-238-5620

Northwest
3323 W. Victory Blvd., Burbank, 818-238.5640

ANTELOPE VALLEY
Palmdale Youth Library
38510 N. Sierra Highway, Palmdale, 661-267-5600

Lancaster Public Library
601 W Lancaster Blvd., Lancaster, 661-948-5029

SANTA CLARITA VALLEY
Canyon Country Jo Ann Darcy Library, 18601 Soledad Canyon Road, 661-251-2720

Newhall
22704 W. Ninth St., Newhall, 661-259-0750.

Valencia
23743 W. Valencia Blvd., Valencia, 661-259-8942

GLENDALE
222 E. Harvard St., Glendale, 818-548-2027