On Sunday, February 27, celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday at Kidspace Children’s Museum, free with paid admission. Enjoy special story times throughout the museum, as well as crafts and games inspired by Dr. Seuss classics.
While you’re there, be sure you stick around for Egg, a kids’ band that is holding a special performance in the Kidspace Amphitheatre at 1:30 p.m..
Target to Celebrate Reading with an In-Store Family Event
Los Angeles-area families are invited to attend this fun and free reading event on Feb. 26
What: Target Corp. will host a fun-filled reading event for families in celebration of reading and the National Education Association’s Read Across America program. Target’s “Who Reads? We Read!” events will be free at all Target stores and include a Dr. Seuss-inspired reading nook, activity packets for children, readings by Target team members, giveaways and more. As part of the festivities, families will be able to enjoy Dr. Seuss classics such as The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham and I Can Read with My Eyes Shut.
Education is at the heart of Target’s 5 percent giving program. Since 2003, Target has supported the Read Across America program, which calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on or around March 2, the birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss. Target’s partnership with the National Education Association is just one example of the company’s commitment to education and its focus on helping more U.S. children learn to read proficiently by the end of third grade, which is a critical milestone on the path to graduation. As part of that commitment, Target plans to donate $1 billion in education-related giving by the end of 2015.
When: Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011
Where: 9 to 11 a.m.
Be sure to look for signs pointing you in the right direction.
JAMIE LEE CURTIS READING & BOOK SIGNING – SEPTEMBER 25
Mark your calendars for this great opportunity on Saturday!! 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. MY MOMMY HUNG THE MOON is the ninth dazzling picture book by the bestselling team of actor and author Jamie Lee Curtis and illustrator Laura Cornell. Written straight from the heart and illustrated with tender hilarity, the book is a keepsake with a wonderful message to moms and kids about how much that special love means.
Bring the KIDS, Grandkids, Nieces, Nephews and FRIENDS To The GROVE L.A.
TODAY! THURSDAY JULY 22 at 1:30pm
to Gap Kids/Baby Gap at THE GROVE Shopping Mall in LA.
To Celebrate Summer READING with a Live Booksicals Performance
Meet the scraggly dog from Too Many Visitors for One Little House ( HE NOW HAS A NAME)
Meet Mr. Snoozle, Ms. Daisycup and Mrs. Featherplume
Get a FREE BOOK!
Free books w/purchase at GAP KIDS.
Request Coupon for Free Book at Grove Concierge or at Gap Kids cashier counter.
Directly following KIDS CLUB event at the GROVE PARK from 10-12 noon
You’ve read the review, now meet the author of Nathan Saves Summerat Bookstar this coming Saturday. I will be there, too, so please stop by to say hello!
Who: Local author Gerry Renert
What: Author reading and book signing of Nathan Saves Summer
As their name implies, Target is definitely On Target when it comes to promoting reading. Let me tell you briefly about some of the literary luminaries and other amazing kids’ entertainers I laid eyes on and/or interviewed at the Target Children’s Stage during the L.A. Times Festival of Books this past weekend. I will write more about these authors’ books in another post, but couldn’t wait to share this info with you:
I saw Carl Reiner, Todd Parr, Nickelodeon’s The Fresh Beat Band, Caitlin Sanchez (the voice of Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer), Hip Hop Harry, Jade-Lianna Peters (the voice of Kai-lain from Nickelodeon’s Ni Hao, Kai-lan), Bernadette Peters, David Soman & Jacky Davis “Ladybug Girl at the Beach,” Peter Yarrow, Jimmy Gownley, Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver, Megan McDonald, Shawn and Marlon Wayans, Carolyn Cohagan, Matthew Reinhart, and Justin Roberts & the Not Ready for Naptime Players. Phew! And that was just on Saturday …
The subtle humor and appealing visuals of Irish author/illustrator Oliver Jeffers will be on display in abundance when he signs and reads from his latest picture book, The Heart and the Bottle and the bestselling Lost and Found at the Every Picture Tells A Story gallery in Santa Monica on Tuesday, April 13 from 3-5 PM.
Jeffers’ work has been featured in the New Yorker and his new book, The Heart and the Bottle was called “heartbreaking, witty and filled with hope” by Kirkus Reviews. This is a rare opportunity to meet and listen to one of the most important new illustrators in children’s books today.
Every Picture Tells A Story is located at 1311-C Montana Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90403. Phone is (310) 451-2700. On line at everypicture.com
Last Sunday Catherine Linka of Flintridge Bookstore and Coffeehouse in La Canada and I had the pleasure and privilege of co-hosting an awesome author event for tweens, billed as a Speed Dating With Authors Mother/Daughter Book Party. All I can say is we sure know how to grown ’em here in SoCa! Lucky for us, these six seriously talented authors (pictured at left) happen to live locally and love to encourage reading. The response from attendees was overwhelmingly positive and the atmosphere was electric due to the good vibes given off by these wonderful women writers.
Victoria ForesterSally Nemeth
Avid reader and La Canada mom, Juli Barry, said her her daughter, 9-year-old Julia Claire, found it thrilling to be able to meet authors and have them sign her books. “I learned from Lisa Yee that it was okay to read books about boys,” remarked Julia Claire.
S. Jones Rogan and guests
Taking a turn at every author’s table, I also learned that you cannot tell a book by its cover (although there were lots of gorgeous covers). It was great having the opportunity to get up close and personal, learning about the motivation behind the books and what makes each writer tick. I especially enjoyed getting the lowdown on tempting plots a plenty plus colorful, charismatic characters. I strongly recommend you visit these authors’ Web sites or their publishers’ sites to get acquainted with this super selection of books for your voracious or reluctant reader.
Lisa YeeHeather Tomlinson
Sally Nemeth – The Heights, the Depths and Everything in Between;
Heather Tomlinson – Toads and Diamonds, The Swan Maiden, Aurelie: A Faerie Tale;
S. Jones Rogan – The Daring Adventures of Penhaligon Brush, The Curse of The Romany Wolves
Lisa Yee – Bobby vs. Girls (Accidentally), Absolutely Maybe, Millicent Min, Girl Genius, So Totally Emily Ebers, Stanford Wong Flunks Big-Time
clockwise l to r: L.A. Parent's Christina Elston, me, Catherine Linka and Jill Sayre
These fab photos come courtesy of Gemma, my teen reader and Deb Littel, a local mom who truly captured the excitement of L.A. Parent’s new “By The Book” series. Watch this space for reviews of these books and dates of more “By The Book” events coming soon.
February 13 – Storytelling With Ellen Switkes, 10:30 a.m., ages 3-7 Join professional storyteller Ellen Switkes for interactive storytelling fun with classic children’s books and tales.
Feb 20 – Mandarin Fun Chinese New Year Storytime With Michele Wong McSween, 10:30 a.m., ages 3-6 Join author Michele Wong McSween for Chinese New Year fun. In Michele’s new books, Gordon & Li Li: Learn Animals In Mandarin and Gordon & Li Li: Count in Mandarin, cousins Gordon, from New York, and Li Li from China, teach each other their favorite animals and how to count in Mandarin.
*Feb 22 – Shannon and Dean Hale Author Talk & Book Signing, 4:15-5:30 p.m.Westwood Branch Library Join award-winning author Shannon Hale and Dean Hale for an author talk, hosted by Children’s Book World and the Westwood Branch Library, about their popular graphic novels, the new Calamity Jack and Rapunzel’s Revenge, and Shannon’s other books. A sequel to the highly acclaimed Rapunzel’s Revenge, the Hales have delivered an all-new, hilarious tall tale about Jack, his beanstalk .. and his best-friend-with-wicked-braids, Rapunzel.
Feb. 27 – Storytelling With Ilene Cohen, 10:30 a.m., ages 3-7 Join Ilene Cohen and her puppet friend Woody for stories and songs.
CHILDREN’S BOOK WORLD
10580 1/2 Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, 90064
(310) 559-BOOK www.childrensbookworld.com
*Westwood Branch Library
1246 Glendon Avenue,
Los Angeles, CA 90024
On Saturday November 14th, from 1 – 3p.m., Storyopolis is celebrating its 23rd birthday. There will be lots of fun activities, including free food, drinks, games, a Moonbounce, and Harry the Clown, as well as the author and artist of the acclaimed children’s book Mitzi’s World.
There is no need to register, and this fun event for the entire family is free and open to the general public. Don’t miss author actor Deborah Raffin and artist Jane Wooster Scott who will be present to sign copies of their book.
Storyopolis is located at 14945 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
For additional information, call Courtney at Storyopolis – (818) 990-7600
The Fancy Nancy children’s book series is one of the more popular today. On Saturday, Every Picture Tells A Story will host a fantastique (that’s French for fantastic) event for Fancy Nancy fans. The book’s author Jane O’Connor and illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser will appear at the store to celebrate their latest effort, Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas. A portion of the day’s proceeds will go to The Hobart Shakespeareans, a Los Angeles inner city education program. While admission to the event is free, book reservations are strongly recommended.
Once Upon a Time bookstore of Montrose was featured in L.A. Parent’s October “Know Your Neighborhood” section. I thought you’d enjoy hearing about this fabulous upcoming event.
Who: Four outstanding and very funny authors and illustrators will be appearing together on one stage:
Jon Scieszka, David Shannon, Adam Rex and Mac Barnett.
What: The authors will read, the illustrators will display their work, and audience participation will be greatly encouraged! A book signing will immediately follow the event and a portion of the proceeds will benefit “Friends of the Library” for the newly remodeled La Crescenta branch of the County of Los Angeles Public Library.
When: On Monday, September 28th, at 6:30p.m.
Where: Crescenta Valley High School, Mac Donald Auditorium, 2900 Community Ave., La Crescenta, CA
