ASTORIA and SEASIDE – He may be made of wood, but ventriloquist figure Rudy O’Riley is no dummy. Rudy is the star of the “One World – Many Magical Stories!” show that is coming to the Astoria Public Library at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 1. Rudy’s mission in life is to motivate children to read books by spreading the word that “you can travel to, and learn about, any place in the world through reading a book.”

The library invites all children ages 4 to 12 in the Astoria area, along with their families, to attend the free program, which features more than 40 minutes of live magic, ventriloquism, audience participation, comedy adventure, and of course, wood ventriloquist dummy Rudy O’Riley.

Rudy has forgotten to read his books and has lost his passport to having fun in life. It’s up to the audience to magically figure out where Rudy got lost and help him regain his bearings” to world travel, storytelling and fun – through reading books. Through this comedy, world-storytelling and reading-themed extravaganza, children will learn how they can motivate themselves to turn on to the thrill and fun of “traveling round the world” through reading.

One World – Many Magical Stories Show!” is a presentation of Steve Taylor, who specializes in reading motivation presentations. More information is available at www.booksteve.com

For more about the library and the program, call Patty Skinner of Astoria Public Library at (503) 298-2451. The library is located at 450 10th St.

Taylor and Rudy move on to Seaside that afternoon. The Seaside Public Library will welcome the magician and ventriloquist – and his dummy – at 2 p.m. Friday for a rousing children’s event that will captivate young and old. The magic will take place in the Children’s Library and all ages are welcome.

For more than 35 years Taylor has been presenting his unique shows that feature ventriloquist figure Rudy O’Riley and a magical extravaganza that incorporates the summer reading theme “One World: Many Stories.” The power of everyone’s imagination will be unleashed as you soar around the world in one hour’s time without the cost of a plane ticket or any baggage fees.

Seaside Public Library is located at 1131 Broadway, across from the Sunset Empire Parks and Recreation District Youth Center and swimming pool. For more information, call (503) 738-6742 or visit www.seasidelibrary.org or www.facebook.com/seasidepubliclibrary