Museum Events to Feature Readings, Book Giveaways

Reading is Fundamental (RIF) holds its annual celebration of books and reading from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Sunday at the California Museum of Science and Industry and the California Afro-American Museum, in Exposition Park. There will be storytelling, readings and free books for children.

Shari Lewis will get things off the ground at 10:30 a.m. today, when she launches a brigade of balloons skyward in front of the Museum of Science and Industry. Then everyone will move inside to the museum’s Discovery Center. Local literacy and reading organizations will have information tables set up. Many, including RIF, will give away books. Also in the Discovery Center, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., an L.A. Public Library-sponsored group of grandparents will read stories to visitors.

At 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., today and Sunday, We Tell Stories will perform in the museum’s Hearst Theater. At 3 p.m. both days, Science on Stage will present “Alice in Numberland,” an adaptation of the Lewis Carroll classic that has Alice beset with math problems.

At the nearby California Afro-American Museum, today’s program begins with puppeteer Leslie Perry at noon, followed by Nailah Y. Malik as Hexuca the Witch at 2 p.m. and storyteller Sybil Desta at 3:30 p.m. On Sunday, Tommy Ford will read stories from a children’s book, “People Can Fly,” at noon. At 2 p.m., Malik returns with stories of Vietnam, South Africa, Nigeria and the United States. Films will be shown every half hour throughout the festival.

Admission to the festival at both museums is free. Information: (213) 744-7432.

OUTDOORS

“Scat, Tracks and Habitat” is the name of docent Peter Rice’s special family walk at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Sooky Goldman Nature Center. Rice mixes stories and games as he leads his charges along the pathways at Franklin Canyon Ranch, showing them how to recognize animal clues. There’s always the possibility of spotting deer, coyotes and raccoons in addition to their tracks. The easy walk, sponsored by the William O. Douglas Outdoor Classroom, lasts two hours. Meet at the nature center, 2600 Franklin Canyon Drive, Beverly Hills. Information: (213) 858-3834.

SPECIAL EVENT

Wielding pipe cleaners, confetti, glitter and paint, artist Gayle Gale will lead a family workshop in fantasy jewelry making at 1:30 p.m. today at the Ralph Parsons Discovery Center at the Natural History Museum, 900 Exhibition Blvd. in Exhibition Park. Gale will show children (age 5 and up) and parents how to make fanciful rings, necklaces and bracelets. The workshop is on a drop-in basis (early arrival is suggested) and is included with museum admission ($3 for adults, 75 cents for children). The workshop is being held in conjunction with the exhibition “Carthage: A Mosaic of Ancient Tunisia,” which includes a collection of gold jewelry. Information: (213) 744-3534.

SCIENCE FICTION

A Munsters film festival highlights this Sunday’s Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention at the Pasadena Convention Center. Included in the two hours of the 1964-65 television series will be “The Munsters” pilot. Also on the schedule are appearances by the “Green Hornet” (Van Williams) and special-effects expert David Allen. Allen has worked on “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids,” “Ghostbusters 2” and the upcoming “Robot Jox.” The convention (which includes a roomful of dealer exhibits as well) is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with Allen speaking at 1 p.m., the Munsters festival at 2 p.m. and Williams at 2:30 p.m. The convention center is at 300 E. Green St. Admission is $4. Information: (818) 954-8432.

COMEDY FOR KIDS

The Comic and Magic Club in Hermosa Beach has just started a Sunday show for children, ages 3 to 12, and parents. The two-hour show of jokes and songs features Tina Lenert as a rag doll who comes to life, clown Dick Monday and the singing duo J. P. Nightingale. Show time is noon, and tickets are $12, including lunch. The club is at 1018 Hermosa Ave. Advance tickets are required; (213) 379-0250.

Melinkoff is a regular contributor to The Times. Send items for this column at least two weeks before events (Saturday and Sunday events only) to Family Spots, View Section, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053. Phone calls will not be accepted. All items must include dates, times, exact address, phone number and admission prices.