12 for Tuesday: Story time at your local Orange County library

Who doesn't love story time? It's quick and easy, it gets you & the kids out of the house, & best of all - it's FREE. & Because I'm never very good at keeping the list to just 12, here are 24 local Orange County libraries that offer story times, crafts, homework help & other activities geared for kids.

1. Aliso Viejo Library
2. Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library
3. Costa Mesa Mesa Verde Library
4. Cypress Library
5. Dana Point Library
6. El Toro Library
7. Foothill Ranch Library
8. Garden Grove Chapman Library
9. Garden Grove Regional Library
10. Garden Grove West Library
11. Irvine Heritage Park Library
12. Irvine Katie Wheeler Library
13. Irvine University Park Library
14. La Habra Library
15. Ladera Ranch Library
16. Laguna Niguel Library
17. Los Alamitos/ Rossmoor Library
18. San Clemente Library
19. San Juan Capistrano Library
20. Seal Beach Library
21. Stanton Library
22. Tustin Library
23. Villa Park Library
24. Westminster Library

xoxo, K

Storytelling at Modjeska & Heriage Hill

OC Parks & The South Coast Storytellers Guild are joining forces to bring storyelling to Modjeska

House & Heritage Hill Historical Park. Come ready to be entertained as these master storytellers "spin yarns and weave tales that amuse, inspire and enthrall listeners."

Modjeska House: Saturday, July 18th, 1-3pm, cost os $5/ person (29042 Modjeska Canyon Rd., Modjeska)
Heritage Hill Historical Park: Wednesdays, July 22nd & 29th, 6:30-8:30pm, cost os $5/ person (25151 Serrano Rd, Lake Forest)

xoxo, K

I Spy: An Alphabet in Art

Art History was one of my favorite college courses of all time. I was lucky enough to take it the semester before "Backpacking Europe" with a few cousins & some friends. Years later, I still get a thrill out of recognizing a work of art, or particular artist.

A couple of summers ago we traveled back to Paris. We had some wonderful meals, saw the sights, made a trip to the second "Happiest Place on Earth", visited a museum or two, & picked up THIS awesome children's book. I love watching my boys thumb through it's pages, gazing at the beautiful paintings, pointing out the things they "spy". Maybe the next time we go to the museum, they'll be the ones recognizing a painting or two.

xoxo, K

Halloween Night

'twas Halloween night, & all through the house
every creature was stirring, including the mouse;
the wall were aflutter with little brown bats,
while hordes of black spiders crept out of the cracks.
by the fire in the kitchen, the witch stirred her brew;
to make it more smelly, she threw in a shoe.

Our favorite new nighttime read, is definitely putting us in the "Halloween Spirit." Marjorie Dennis Murray's Halloween Night is a wonderfully illustrated book detailing the Halloween preparations of a haunted house & all of it's "spooky" inhabitants. Find your own copy HERE.

xoxo, K

Story time at Barnes & Noble

I love to read, always have... although these days, I definitely don't get the chance to read as often as I would like. But, I make sure to read lots of book so my kids. I don't know why, but there is just something magical about having a story read out loud. That's why I love searching out story times, to take my kids. Recently I was reminded of the fact that Barnes & Noble locations often host story times. Find the nearest Barnes & Noble story time location, go HERE. But don't just limit yourself to your local store, be sure to check around at several.... some locations offer story time during the morning, others have it during the evening, I've even come across a few that host a "pajama-rama" story time. Be sure to check out the "other" Barnes & Noble events.... they also do games & musical performances, just to name a few.

xoxo, K

image is Sir Walter Firle's The Fairy Tale

That's not my...

On our weekly trip to Barnes & Noble I spotted one of my favorite children's touch & feel books. I first picked them up in Dublin & then I found a few more in London, but this was the first time I had seen them for sale in the good old US of A. I love the colorful illustrations and the great use of adjectives & my boys love all the different textures. Our current favorite title is That's not my dinosaur, its body is too squashy, but there's also That's not my car... its windows are too shiny, & loads of other titles. Check out all the books HERE.

xoxo, K

Two Little Monkeys Storytime

Thanks to a reader's tip, we found out about this great local event at the Two Little Monkeys Boutique in Orange. With storytelling, singing, face painting & a live bunny... sounds like something every little kiddo would enjoy. Thanks for the tip & keep 'em coming. We love hearing about all the local happenings in Orange County!

What: Storytime
When: Every Thursday from 11 am - 12 pm
Where: Two Little Monkeys Boutique, 109 N. Glassell St., Orange, CA 92866, (714)639-0919

xoxo, K

Summer Reads

I love summer reading, but I am horrible about returning books on time and do not want to give all my spending money to Barnes and Noble this summer. Fortunately, there is a solution for people like me and its called BookMooch, a community website for swapping books. BookMooch allows you to mail your books to other members in exchange for points to go towards your next selection. They even have a program that allows you to give books to your favorite charity for points.

I am going to list my favorite summer reads next week on BookMooch: Zippy and Secret Life of Bees. Check out BookMooch and I am sure everyone in your family will find something fun to read this summer.


xoxo, C

image via flickr

Our new bedtime ritual.

Every night before bed, we read a story (or two or three). Our latest favorite is Starry Safari... you'll hop in a jeep & head out on an adventure. A rhino will chase you, alligators will try to eat you, & you'll scare off a lion. Written in rhyme & accompanied by great illustrations, this book is sure to become a favorite in your house too. Available HERE.

xoxo, K
image via here.

Once Upon a Time...

We all know that reading to our kids is important. (Research has shown that early & good readers come from homes where reading is valued & experienced regularly.) As for me, there's nothing I like better than snuggling up with my kids, to enjoy a good book... but sometimes it's fun to get out, & let someone else to the story-telling.

Did you know that most of our local Orange County libraries offer "story time"? Check out the exact locations & times HERE.

Another great place to hit... Pottery Barn Kids. Every Tuesday from 10 am - 10:30 am, kids of all ages are invited for story time. So if you're in the area, be sure to swing by PBK at South Coast Plaza or The Shops at Mission Viejo.

xoxo, K

image via project night night.

Children's Book Week

Since 1919, Children's Book Week has been celebrated nationally to spread enthusiasm about children's literature & Laguna Beach Books is celebrating too.

Tomorrow is the last day to donate books to the annual book drive at Laguna Beach Books . You may also be inspired to pick up a few new books because they are offering a 10% discount on all children's books. Happy Reading!

Laguna Beach Books At The Old Pottery Place

1200 South Coast Highway, Suite 105

Laguna Beach, California 92651

Phone: 949-494-4779

xoxo, C