COUNTYWIDE : Reading Is Top Act of Library Program

Hoping to interject fun and wonder into reading, Orange County Library branches are kicking off their summer reading program “Top Hat and Tales: Putting on the Book” with free performances by magicians, jugglers and a children’s theater group.

The theatrically themed program, designed to keep children occupied and learning during summer vacation, includes performances, storytelling sessions and audience-participation events at 11 of the county library’s branches through the end of the month. Among the scheduled free events:

* The Golden State Children’s Theater will present the musical revue “Broadway Babies,” featuring hits from the Tin Pan Alley era through to today’s popular tunes, at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Heritage Park branch, 14361 Yale Ave., Irvine.

* Magician Don Alan Lachman will play host to a magic workshop at 2 p.m. Tuesday for children ages 6 through 12 at the Costa Mesa branch, 1855 Park Ave. A materials kit will be provided; a $4 optional donation to the Friends of the Library is requested. Call (714) 646-8845 for reservations.

* Miss Linda and the Lollipop Express will perform at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Crown Valley branch, 30341 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel. Children must register for the program in person. Call (714) 249-5252 for more information.

* Black belt champion Kathi Wegner will demonstrate karate techniques at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Cypress branch, 5331 Cypress Ave. Call (714) 826-0350 for more information.

* The Lizard Wizard will display and discuss snakes, spiders and other creatures at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Dana Niguel branch, 33841 Niguel Road. Call (714) 496-5517 for more information.

* Mike Zydowicz of the Pasadena-based Jet Propulsion Laboratory will present a program on space exploration at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Fountain Valley branch, 17635 Los Alamitos St. Call (714) 962-1324 for more information.

* Juggling and circus acts will be staged for children ages 6 through 12 at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Laguna Beach branch, 363 Glenneyre St. Call (714) 497-1733 for more information.

* Comedian and ventriloquist David Zacrate will perform at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the La Palma branch, 7842 Walker St. The same branch will have a pajama story time at 7 p.m. Wednesday, with Orange County Fair mascots Wild and Wolly as hosts. Call (714) 523-8585 for more information.

* Drew Wilson will present a program titled “How to Become a Great Inventor and Scientist With Thomas Edison” at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Mission Viejo branch, 24851 Chrisanta Drive. Call (714) 830-7100 for more information.

* Magician Jeff Martin will perform at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Stanton branch, 7850 Katella Ave. Call (714) 898-3302 for more information.

* Storyteller and puppeteer Janine Jacobs will entertain at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Westminster branch, 8180 13th St.

Call (714) 895-5057 for more information.