Check It Out:

It’s the middle of summer and just about the time when children and their parents run out of fresh ideas for fun things to do to pass the time. Luckily, imaginations can be limitless when discovering interesting new activities. A child can easily be creative and explore something new just by visiting the Newport Beach Public Library. The children’s departments’ shelves are bursting with ideas for creative games and crafts. Here are just a few of the hundreds of children’s activity books found at your Newport Beach Public Library.

?“Double Dutch: A Celebration of Jump Rope, Rhyme, and Sisterhood� by Veronica Chambers: Learn all about this unique sport and pastime. Spend an afternoon in the sunshine practicing this newly acquired skill.

?“Easy Art Fun!: Do-It-Yourself Crafts for Beginning Readers� by Jill Frankel Hauser: This book is jam-packed with the crafts for even the youngest of children. This can serve as a chance to be creative by following the simple step-by-step instructions or just as a springboard for the imagination.

?“Get Out: Outdoor Activities Kids Can Enjoy Anywhere (Except Indoors)� by Hallie Warshaw: Get outdoors and enjoy an active summer with ideas from this book filled with fun outdoor activities that kids can enjoy everywhere and get a healthy dose of exercise from.

?“Injeanuity� by Ellen Warwick: Transform an old pair of jeans into a work of art with step-by-step instructions and lots of illustrations showing how to redesign old jeans or use them to create an entirely different item such as a purse or a wallet.

?“Like a Pro: 101 Simple Ways to Do Really Important Stuff� by Helaine Becker: This handy book provides kids with tips on how to perform more than 100 duties well, from practical � getting to school on time, planting a flower, and keeping a secret � to wacky like surviving on a desert island, meeting royalty, and accepting an Oscar.

?“My Animal Art Class� by Nellie Sheperd: This book presents numerous ideas for creating animals such as giraffes, turtles, and flamingos. All these creative animals can come to life just by using crayons, scissors, glue, paper plates, and other basic art supplies.

?“Stamp it! : 50 Amazing Projects to Makeâ€� by Joe Rhatigan: Young crafters can put their creative stamp on everything with step-by-step instructions for using stamps to decorate clothing, party decorations, gifts, and much more, as well as for making one’s own stamps.

?“The Ultimate Yo-Yo Book: 20 Great Tricks and Tips!� by Larry Sayco: The sport of yo-yo-ing is becoming a super popular trend. Amaze your friends and family with the ultimate tricks taught in this book.

?“The Young Journalist’s Book: How to Write and Produce Your Own Newspaperâ€� by Donna Guthrie: This descriptive book outlines the various functions and elements of a newspaper, and gives practical advice on writing, producing, and distributing. What a fun way to start a family newspaper to document memories.

It is not too late to sign up for our Children’s Summer Reading Program. Just pick up a game sheet and ing the more free prizes to win. Visiting your library is a surefire way to chase away mid-summer blues!

Celebrate library’s 50th anniversary

If you’re looking for fun things to do this week, stop by the Corona del Mar Branch Library at 420 Marigold Ave. and celebrate its 50th Anniversary! The festivities begin 9 a.m. Tuesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and refreshments, followed by story times at 10 and 11 a.m. Other activities planned for the week include: live animal entertainment by Wild Wonders on Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 p.m.; a book discussion on 1959 classic “Breakfast at Tiffany’sâ€� at 10 a.m. Thursday; DVD rental coupon giveaways to adult customers all day Friday, July 31 and a final community celebration with balloon artists, crafts for kids and more 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1.

CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public Library. Library materials may be reserved from home or office computers by accessing the catalog at www.newportbeachlibrary.org. For more information on the Central Library or any of the branches, please contact the Newport Beach Public Library at (949) 717-3800, option 2.