Nearly 80 youngsters, plus their family and caregivers, got to see a bit of the &#8220Magic of Narnia” Friday afternoon as the McWane Science Center in Birmingham came to the Greenville-Butler County Public Library. It was the kick off of the annual Summer Reading Program.

Narnia, of course, starts out as a forbidding land of cold and ice. Andrea, one of the &#8220McWane Brains,” showed her audience how to make &#8220snow” (yes, even when it's 100 degrees outside). Andrea and her helpers let those present touch the fluffy white substance in their hands.

&#8220It's not cold, but it's soft…it's hard to explain exactly what it feels like,” De Martin of Greenville said after testing it out.

Lots of volunteers tried some of Andrea's special version of &#8220Turkish Delight” and discovered steam coming right out of their noses, much to their and the audience's amusement.

&#8220What kinds of weapons did they use when they had the war in Narnia?” Andrea asked the children.

&#8220Swords!”

&#8220Shields!”

&#8220Rocks!”

&#8220O.K., how about cannons, too. Did you know liquid nitrogen can also make a weapon? I'm going to show you how,” Andrea said.

The McWane Brain and her helper showed how bottle caps could magically fly through the air, courtesy of the liquid nitrogen.

Andrea also created blue icicles reminiscent of Narnia under the spell of the White Witch, and helped the children make their own noisy flutes from drinking straws.

The Children's Summer Reading Program with the theme &#8220Once Upon a Time” begins June 28. The program continues until July 29.

Ages three, four and five will meet on Wed. at 10:30; K-5 and those who have completed first grade will meet at 10:30 a.m. on Thursdays, and those who have completed second, through fourth grades will meet at 3 p.m. on Thursdays. Please, any large groups planning to attend must call the library at 382-3216 in advance.