Where to Sit a Spell in L. A. and Hear a Story

If you are looking for storytelling in Spanish; tales from African, Jewish or American Indian traditions, or stories where it’s OK to wear pajamas, there’s quite a bit for Southland youngsters this summer.

Among the offerings:

* “The Coyote, the Spirit and the Moon,” a free multicultural storytelling festival by the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department’s Folk Arts Program, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. today. Reservations suggested. Southwest Museum, 234 Museum Drive, Los Angeles; (213) 221-2163.

* California Traditional Music Society’s 11th annual Summer Solstice Folk Music and Dance Festival. Fairy tales, jokes, California Indian tales, sacred stories, African-American stories and stories from the Jewish tradition. From 10 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. June 22-23. Admission: $18 for adults, children 12 and younger free. California Traditional Music Society, 4401 Trancas Place, Tarzana; (818) 342-SONG.

* The Wilderness Institute’s hike for women includes a telling of the Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone. From 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 6. Also on the institute’s calendar is an afternoon of American Indian stories for families with Mark Williams from 1 to 4 p.m. July 27. The Wilderness Institute, 28118 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills; (818) 991-7327.

* “Exploring Relationships Through Storytelling and Song” at the University of Judaism features Milbre Burch, Karen Golden and Sam Glaser at 8 p.m. Aug. 14. Gindi Auditorium, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles; (213) 476-9777 or (213) 879-4114, Ext. 246.

* The sixth annual African Marketplace and Cultural Faire. Storytelling theater by The Griot, noon to 5 p.m. Aug. 24-25 and 31, and Sept. 1-2. Admission: free. Rancho Cienega Park, 5001 Rodeo Road, Los Angeles. Call for schedule, (213) 237-1540 or (213) 485-2437.

Libraries

For complete information on storytelling at Los Angeles County’s 90 public libraries, call the individual libraries or (213) 940-8522. All events are free. In addition to ongoing story hours, special events include:

* “Multicultural Minstrel Man” features Paul Tracey doing stories and music from Africa. Throughout July and August, Tracey will perform at El Monte, Bell Gardens, Villa Carson, Sunkist (La Puente), La Mirada, Lynwood, Sunnyslope (Pasadena), Leland R. Weaver (South Gate), A.C. Bilbrew (Los Angeles) and San Fernando libraries.

* In July, Judith Helton will portray “Little House on the Prairie” author Laura Ingalls Wilder in a one-woman show for children at Manhattan Heights, View Park, Wiseburn (Hawthorne) and Claremont libraries.

* Geri Keams will involve young listeners in American Indian stories at workshops in July at Claremont, Angelo M. Iacoboni (Lakewood), Hawaiian Gardens, Sunnyslope, Marina del Rey, Manhattan Beach, Culver City and Masao W. Satow (Gardena) libraries.

Santa Monica Public Library offers regular story times at its four facilities. All are free:

* Preschool Storytime, Main Library, 1343 6th St. For 3- to 5-year-olds at 7 p.m. Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. Saturdays and 11:15 a.m. Wednesdays (from June 26 to Aug. 28 only). Story time for 2-year-olds is 10:15 Wednesdays (registration required). (213) 458-8600.

* Family Storytime, Fairview Branch, 2101 Ocean Park Blvd. Stories in Spanish and English at 7 p.m. Tuesdays. Twilight Storytime is 7 p.m. on Wednesday; children may wear pajamas. Both are for 3- to 5-year-olds. (213) 450-0443.

* Preschool Storytime, Montana Avenue Branch, 1704 Montana Ave. at 11:15 a.m. Thursdays. Toddler Storytime is 10 a.m. Thursdays (registration required). Stories for 3- to 7-year-olds are 7 p.m. Tuesdays. (213) 829-7081.

* Preschool Storytime, Ocean Park Branch, 2601 Main St. at 10:30 a.m. Saturdays. (213) 392-3804.

Children’s Bookstores

* Children’s Book and Music Center, 2500 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica. Storytelling 10 to 10:30 a.m. Saturdays. (213) 829-0215.

* Children’s Book World, 10580 1/2 W. Pico Blvd., West Los Angeles. Storytellers and authors tell tales for ages 3 to 8 at 10:30 a.m. on June 15 and 29, July 13 and 20, and Aug. 10. (213) 559-BOOK.

* Children’s Bookshelf, 1039 Swarthmore, Pacific Palisades. Stories for ages 3 to 8 at 10:30 a.m. on the first Saturday of every month. (213) 459-0063.

* Happily Ever After, 2640 Griffith Park Blvd., Los Angeles. For toddlers; from 10:30 to 11 a.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month. (213) 668-1996.

* Pages, 18399 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana. Storytelling for ages 3 to 8 at 11 a.m. Saturdays; also tales for 2- and 3-year-olds at 10:30 on the first and third Wednesday of each month. (818) 342-6657.