Events Archives -

We’ve Got The Scoop on Baskin-Robbins!

Editor’s Note: Okay, okay. This is not a book review, but anyone who knows me knows I live for ice cream … and this is too good (and delicious) to resist and better yet, it’s for a great cause.

BASKIN-ROBBINS OFFERS A SWEET DEAL WITH ITS FOURTH ANNUAL 31 CENT SCOOP NIGHT EVENT

America’s Favorite Neighborhood Ice Cream Shop Partners with National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to Pay Tribute to America’s Heroes

WHAT: Baskin-Robbins is hosting its fourth annual 31 Cent Scoop Night celebration on April 28, 2010 from 5p.m. – 10p.m., at all Southern California Baskin-Robbins locations. During the event, the iconic ice cream brand will thank its loyal customers by reducing the price of all 2.5 oz. ice cream scoops to just 31 cents. Treat yourself to a scoop of ice cream, or two or three, on 31 Cent Scoop Night for less than a dollar!

As part of 31 Cent Scoop Night, Baskin-Robbins will make a $100,000 donation to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation , an organization that honors America’s fallen fire heroes and their families. In addition, on 31 Cent Scoop Night, select neighborhood Baskin-Robbins shops will invite their local fire departments to collect donations and scoop ice cream. I’ll have a chocolate chip cone, what about you?

For 65 years, Baskin-Robbins has captured taste buds worldwide with unique, fun, and delicious ice cream flavors. Ice cream enthusiasts should not hesitate to take part in this special offer.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 28, 2010 5p.m. to 10p.m.

WHERE: All Baskin-Robbins store locations nationwide.

To find the closest Baskin-Robbins location in your area, please click here now.

COST: 31 cents for a 2.5 ounce scoop of any Baskin-Robbins ice cream flavor (or a 3 oz. Soft Serve cone). Limit three scoops per person. For full event details, please visit www.baskinrobbins.com/31cent

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Target is On Target

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 …

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Opera Tales

The County of Los Angeles Public Library & LA Opera

Present

OPERA TALES

German Opera Tales will celebrate LA Opera’s Ring cycle and Ring Festival LA by performing musical moments from German opera stories including Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel. A special guest reader will be joined by Opera Pals singing various arias and acting out some of he key scenes in the stories. A great event for the whole family! Refreshments provided.

WHEN: Friday April 23rd at 6:30pm

WHERE: La Crescenta Library
2809 Foothill Blvd.
La Crescenta 91214
(818) 248-5313

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A Little Seuss Goes A Long Way

Head over to your closest Kohl’s so you can stock up on books or give them as birthday presents. Either way, at $5 for a book or exclusive plush toy or both, you can’t lose.

Now through the end of April, for only $5, you can buy a copy of the best-selling and beloved Dr. Seuss books The Lorax, The Foot Book, Oh, the Thinks You Can Think! and If I Ran the Circus. There are also adorable stuffed animal plush toys to accompany each book and, at such an incredible value, why not get a set or two?

At more than 1,000 Kohl’s stores nationwide (or online at Kohls.com), your purchase can make a positive difference in the lives of children which the Kohl’s Cares for Kids program helps support. The program contributes 100% of the net profit to benefit children’s health and education initiatives nationwide.

As we approach Earth Day, there’s also an important lesson about caring for our environment that children can learn from reading the The Lorax and at the same time, parents can take something away with the New York Times Bestseller The Green Book, by Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas M. Kostigen, also available for just $5! This book is bursting with info about how to be eco-friendly and gives you the big picture all the way down to the little picture for things you can do right in your home. There’s also great reference tools and anecdotes from celebs such as Jennifer Aniston, Ellen DeGeneres and Will Ferrell about what they do to make a difference to the environment.

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Mother/Daughter Book Party This Sunday!

Join L.A. Parent at the launch of our new BY THE BOOK series.

You’ve seen the promos, now learn more about this exciting Mother/Daughter event L.A. Parent is sponsoring along with the Flintridge Bookstore and Coffeehouse.

Bring the tween readers in your family to the Community Center of La Canada Flintridge from 2-4p.m. this Sunday, March 21.
There will be 7 authors on hand to meet in a fun speed-dating style roundtable format where the authors will pitch their books in the hopes that your daughters will want to read them!

Recommended for Girls in 3rd- 6th Grade and their Moms

Location: The Community Center of La Canada Flintridge 4469 Chevy Chase Dr., La Canada Flintridge

Date: Sunday, March 21 Time: 2- 4 PM

Price: A $5.00 ticket covers both mother and daughter. Use your ticket to save $2.00 off a book purchased at the event.

Share your love of reading with your daughter and introduce her to 7 authors. Find terrific book selections for your Mother/Daughter Book Club. You will meet and talk with these authors: Carol Hughes, Victoria Forester, Amy Goldman Koss, Diane Leszezynski, Sally Nemeth, Heather Tomlinson, and Lisa Yee We recommend that you reserve a place for you and your daughter. Purchase a ticket in advance at the Flintridge Bookstore and Coffeehouse.

We’ll be giving away a portable BOOK LIGHT IN A BOOKCOVER (with a retractable LED light) courtesy of PERISCOPE and a trendy tote bag courtesy of Ecobags (www.ecobags.com) made from 100% Recycled natural cotton fibers to raffle winners! Must be present to win.

Tickets will be available at the door, but space is limited.

Contact: Catherine Linka for more information. catherineL@flintridgebooks.com

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Oh, The Fun You Can Have!

February 26, 2010
goodreadswithronna
Uncategorized

Looking for something fun and free to do this weekend? Well if you and your kids are fans of books and love to read, head over to your nearest Target. Oh all the places you’ll go!

This Saturday, February 27, 9 – 11 a.m., all Target stores nationwide will host free in-store events including readings by volunteers and local notables, reading activities and giveaways.

Target has partnered with the National Education Association to support the Read Across America program. Click here for more information on the Read Across America program at Target. Just in case you were wondering, the Dr. Seuss theme honors the birthday of beloved author Theodor Geisel, (aka Dr. Seuss) born on March 2, 1904.

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Children’s Book World

February 12, 2010
goodreadswithronna
Uncategorized

Here’s a quick rundown of what’s happening at Children’s Book World in February:

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

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Every Picture Tells A Fancy Nancy Story

November 11, 2009
goodreadswithronna
Uncategorized

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.

When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat., Nov. 14
Where: Every Picture Tells A Story, 1311 Montana Ave., Santa Monica.
Contact: 310-451-2700, www.everypicture.com
http://www.harpercollins.com/services/browseinside/widget.aspx?hc.guid=231c57e8-59fa-4e8f-bfb2-cf6a803ba755

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Come Hear and Watch A Story!

Have you heard of Booksicals? Well I had not, but I am so glad I can now share this info with you.

Susie Chodakiewitz, author of Too Many Visitors for One Little House is founder of Booksicals, encouraging reading through the arts
YOU ARE INVITED!
WHAT: Booksicals is currently performing the picture book Too Many Visitors for One Little House.

WHEN: They will be having their B & N debut this Sunday, October 25 at 1p.m.

WHERE: Barnes & Noble, The Grove

Booksicals performs for schools, libraries and special events. They also partner with individual and corporate sponsors to bring Booksicals programs to underpriviliged kids and kids in hospitals. Come out and support this wonderful literacy program.

You can see all the fun things they are doing and even hear the musical of the book at www.booksicals.com

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PUTUMAYO PICNIC PLAYGROUND CONTEST PLUS RHYTHM CHILD CONCERT

GET OUT YOUR RED CHECKERED TABLECLOTHS. IT’S TIME FOR A PICNIC!

If you’re looking for something fun to do that involves music and the outdoors, read what L.A. Parent Calendar Editor Michael Berick has to say about L.A.’s very own Rhythm Child. And after you’ve arranged your schedule to see the band perform, take a minute to enter this new contest from Good Reads With Ronna for your chance to win one of 5 Putumayo Kids Picnic Playground CDs from Rhythm Child by clicking here. Remember to put Picnic Playground as your subject. Contest ends Monday, Aug. 24th. CLICK HERE FOR RULES.

Rhythm Child drums up the fun this month!

Putamayo is serving up summertime music fun with its latest kids compilation, Picnic Playground, which dishes out a feast of delicious songs from Denmark to Australia. Work up an appetite grooving to tunes like Asheba’s Carribean-coated “Ice Cream” and the Cuban-flavored “Bolitas de Arroz con Pollo” by Jose Conde y Ola Fresca.
As an extra treat, Putamayo is taking this picnic on the road, with two local shows this month headlined by L.A.’s own Rhythm Child, whose tune “Bowl Of Cherries” is part of the disc. And speaking of cherries, visit www.putumayokids.com to enter their cool recipe contest now until August 25th.

Rhythm Child’s frontman Norman Jones says he feels “honored to have the opportunity to promote this record, as well as act as an ambassador for the Putumayo Kids mission that introduces children to other cultures through music. It was very important for me to connect with (Putamayo) since I felt that they incorporated a lot of the same positive messages that I wanted to present.” Jones plans to bring out some friends and special guests for these Putamayo shows.
August is shaping up to be a busy month for Rhythm Child. The group also has shows at the Zimmer Museum and the Grove, and they are preparing for a September release of their new disc, Bowl of Cherries.

PUTUMAYO KIDS PICNIC PLAYGROUND TOUR DATES

Putamayo Kids Picnic Playground with Rhythm Child, 7 p.m. Aug. 12, Levitt Pavilion, 30 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. Free. www.levittpavilion.org and noon Aug. 13, Pershing Square, 532 S. Olive St., L.A. Free. www.laparks.org/pershingsquare.

Wonderful Wednesday, 2:30 p.m. Aug. 19, Zimmer Children’s Museum, 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 100, L.A. Admission: $8 adults, $5 children 3 and older. 323-761-8984.

Kids Club, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 20, The Grove, 189 The Grove Dr., L.A. Free. 323-900-8080.

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An Interview with Grammy-Nominated Trout Fishing In America

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Following a successful stop at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, four time-grammy nominated Trout Fishing in America will play in various venues around the country. You can see them at the Robert Irwin’s Central Garden at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles August 22 & 23.

This fantastic duo is on tour promoting their new storybook-music CD My Name Is Chicken Joe (for more information, please visit http://www.thesecretmountain.com) which I can wholeheartedly recommend. Not only is the book filled with funny illustrations and original, sometimes zany song lyrics, but when you listen to the accompanying music (11 songs in total) you’ll soon be humming along. I can see why it’s so easy to get hooked on Trout Fishing in America!

I recently interviewed the multi-talented Keith Grimwood who plays bass, sings, and writes songs with Trout Fishing in America. (In case you’ve seen a picture of the group, Grimwood is the shorter half of the band.) He’s really excited about the new book and I am sure you will be, too.

Q. Why write a book called My Name is Chicken Joe?

We have always felt that our songs are very visual and the idea of having them illustrated has always appealed to us. The trick was to make the connections to make it happen. Roland Stringer, of The Secret Mountain publishing company, and Dick Renko, our manager, are friends. Well, as I understand it, they got to talking one day and the idea of a book/CD came up. We jumped at the chance right away.

Q. Which came first, Chicken Joe lyrics or music?

Whew…you scared me! I thought you were going to ask, “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” Now that’s a really hard question.

When we write, I generally start with lyrics and Ezra starts with music. Then we get together in a co-writing session and see if any of my words fit any of his chord progressions. That’s how this song got started. So the answer is that they started separately, but pretty much at the same time. Don’t you wish that chicken or the egg question was that simple?

Q. I love the character of Chicken Joe and how he pops up throughout the book. Is he based on a cat you know?

Chicken Joe is one of my cats. I have a lot of cats but Chicken Joe is one of our favorites. When he was a little kitten, he’d turn up missing when we went to feed the cats in the morning. We’d find him out in the chicken coop. He’s a smart cat. You may not know it, but hens generate a lot of heat. They really kept him warm. That’s how he got the name Chicken Joe.

Q. The illustrations are wonderfully evocative yet simple – how did you find your artist?

Roland sent us examples of several artists that The Secret Mountain had worked with before. We were particularly fond of the beautiful watercolor works of Stephane Jorisch. He sent us some initial sketches and we gave him a few suggestions. He really captured the personalities of all these animals. I especially like his chickens. They look like a bunch of punk rockers to me.

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Unearth FREE Nintendo Fossil Fun at Tar Pits

FOSSILS ROAR TO LIFE AT INTERACTIVE
FOSSIL FIGHTERS LAUNCH EVENT

Nintendo Fossil Fighters Launch at La Brea Tar Pits this Thursday, August 6th – Free Page Museum Admission for Adults Accompanied by a Child

Visit the renowned La Brea Tar Pits for a day of fun with Nintendo to celebrate the upcoming launch of Fossil Fighters for the Nintendo DS/Nintendo DSi hand-held gaming systems in advance of its August 10th release. Parents will be granted free admission to the nearby Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits when accompanied by a child, and there will be several activities going on throughout the day, including:

A competitive fossil dig, in which kids will be split into two teams and dig through sand pits to find puzzle pieces. The teams will then work together to complete the puzzle and build a large dinosaur-like creature known as a “Vivosaur.”

· Guided tours of the George C. Page Museum and La Brea Tar Pits

· Opportunities to play Fossil Fighters throughout the day before its release or compete in a Fossil Fighters tournament

· Trivia contest based on what the kids learn throughout the day

· Lot of chances to win prizes (while they last)

WHO: Kids, parents, teens, fossil enthusiasts and gaming fans of all kinds

WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

WHERE: The Great Lawn at Hancock Park
5801 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036

WHAT: Already a world-famous destination for prehistoric discovery, L.A.’s La Brea Tar Pits will be the site of an extraordinary entertainment find as Nintendo heralds the upcoming release of its new Fossil Fighters game for the portable Nintendo DS system with a launch event for kids and their parents.

Fossil Fighters combines the fascinating fun of fossil study with the engaging hand-held game play of Nintendo DS. Players must use the stylus and touch screen to find and carefully clean fossils in order to revive and power-up battle-ready Vivosaurs, expanding their collection and attempting to become the best Fossil Fighter around.

The game also allows players to battle or trade their fossils with friends via a local wireless connection.

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The Legends Behind the Comic Books

Comic-Con may be over, but … Batman! Spider-Man! Captain America! LIVE ON!

The greatest super heroes of all time — and for the first time, the true stories behind the creators of these comics and many more will be revealed as illustration gallery Every Picture Tells A Story Gallery on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica presents an amazing evening of art, books, and movies dedicated to comic books and their artists and writers.

WHEN: On Wednesday, July 29, Every Picture Tells A Story Gallery, in association with the American Cinematheque, presents two exciting debuts, at 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: Every Picture Tells A Story Gallery introduces, for the first time ever, MARVEL ARTWORKS — an exclusive, brand new, limited edition series of fine art prints from the Marvel Comics archives, including works by classic and contemporary comic illustrators like Jack Kirby, Alex Ross, Jim Lee and many others. Along with the exhibit, the gallery will host a book signing and reception with very special guests including MICHAEL USLAN (Producer, THE DARK KNIGHT, BATMAN BEGINS, BATMAN FOREVER, CON AIR, NATIONAL TREASURE, and more), MARK EVANIER (author of Kirby: King of the Comics), MICHAEL MALLORY (author of X-Men: The Characters and Their Universe) and DC and Marvel artist GLEN ORBIK.

WHEN: At 7:30 p.m., the American Cinematheque’s Aero Theatre presents the West Coast debut of THE LEGENDS BEHIND THE COMICS, a new documentary film, produced by Michael Uslan. The film, a behind-the-scenes look at the origins of the most popular heroes of our time, features comic creators Jerry Robinson, Stan Lee, Joe Kubert and many of the Golden Age innovators.

Following the screening, the Aero will host a panel featuring MICHAEL USLAN, MARK EVANIER, MICHAEL MALLORY, GLEN ORBIK — moderated by Every Picture Tells A Story’s LEE COHEN. After the panel, the acclaimed animated feature, BATMAN: MASK OF THE PHANTASM, will be screened.

The events at Every Picture Tells A Story Gallery are free and open to the public. Tickets for the Aero Theatre screenings will be available at their boxoffice.
Every Picture Tells A Story… is located at 1311 Montana Avenue in Santa Monica. The American Cinematheque is at 1328 Montana, Santa Monica.

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SUPERWHY EVENT! Calling all super readers!

You know the Super WHY show, now check out the new toy line. Spend another sunny day in L.A. at this fun and FREE event for the family this coming Saturday, June 13. Yes, Super WHY, the award-winning preschool PBS show invites Los Angeles-area kids and families to enjoy a not-to-be-missed day of reading-powered fun with a “super” special event celebrating the series’ anticipated toy launch at Toys”R”US!

This exciting day of activities includes a storybook reading, an interactive bingo game, Super WHY-inspired coloring activities and more! Be the FIRST to enjoy exclusive “hands on” play with the new toys based on the hit Emmy nominated PBS KIDS TV Series. Plus, you won’t want to miss all the great giveaways and coupons that will be distributed as well.

Who: Super WHY fans of all ages and Toys“R”Us!

What: Kids from coast-to-coast will hold the “power to read” in their hands – literally! – as the highly-anticipated Super WHY toy line from Learning Curve, based on the hit series seen daily on PBS KIDS (check local listings), makes its retail debut at Toys“R”Us stores nationwide!

Why: To celebrate the arrival of Super WHY toys, on Saturday, June 13, kids can be among the first to experience the new toys based on the Emmy nominated Super WHY preschool show!

Guests of the celebration also will have the opportunity to receive Super WHY-themed temporary tattoos, stickers, masks, coloring and activity sheets, while supplies last.

When: Saturday, June 13
12 noon – 2 p.m.

Where: All Toys“R”Us stores nationwide!
click here to find a location

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RAISING READERS: A Literacy Festival

Get Lit at the Raising Readers Festival

(From our May Calendar section edited by Michael Berick)

Santa Monica College will be the place to be for book lovers old and young (but especially the young ones) May 9 during the annual Raising Readers: A Literacy Festival. Since 2001, the nonprofit child care resource and referral agency Connections for Children (in collaboration with Santa Monica College and Association for the Education of Young Children/North Bay Chapter) has been presenting this special day that celebrates reading and literacy in a number of ways. There will be storytellers, theater groups, musicians and, of course, books. This free event is particularly aimed at children in preschool and the primary grades, where establishing a strong foundation in reading and literacy is so important.

Raising Readers: A Literacy Festival, noon-4 p.m. May 9, Santa Monica College, 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. Free. 310-452-3325, www.connectionsforchildren.org.

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