He leaped across the room and flapped his arms in character as a songbird, then instantly crouched close to the floor and dropped his voice to the low-pitched growl of a coyote.
Tom McCormack held about 20 children's attention captive as he told Native American legends at the Dayton Library on Thursday.
"I have a responsibility in holding these stories," McCormack said. "These stories, no one owns. I encourage people to share them."
McCormack will perform his legends and pioneer stories Saturday at the annual Kiwanis Breakfast for Books at the Carson City Library, which will kick off the statewide reading program, READiscover Nevada.
"Children are inundated with so much synthetic entertainment," McCormack said. "I want to help them learn to experience their own childhood."
Brian Janas, 10, watched intently as McCormack played out the legends before the audience.
"He's a good actor," Janas said. "He talks funny and makes faces."
McCormack displayed a variety of artifacts including an indigenous flute, drum and clapping stick.
He explained to the children that the drum represents the heartbeat of Mother Earth as it reflects off Father Sky.
"I like all the things that he's using and all that he's showing us," said 7-year-old Meghan Haines. "I like the animals he's telling us about."
McCormack is a practicing medicine person and documents and researches all of the legends that he shares.
"These are sacred things," he said. "These things have power. As a story holder, I try to be aware of that."
For Becca VanSickle, the stories helped put some of her recent education into perspective.
"My family has been learning a lot about Indians," she said. "I've learned some of the legends and about the different tribes."
Entertainment at the breakfast will also be provided by local musician Chris Bayer.
Bayer will play songs about Nevada accompanied by his banjo, guitar, button accordion and harmonic.
McCormack, from Oregon, will present Native American legends using flutes, drums and a clapper stick.
Children can register at the breakfast or later. The program will run through Aug. 12.
If You Go:
What: Breakfast for Books
When: Saturday, 7-11 a.m.
Where: Carson City Library
Cost: $4 for adults, $3 for children and seniors