A Gallery of Democratic Diversity

The Every Picture Tells a Story gallery and bookstore in Hollywood, which exhibits original art from children’s books, is “the most democratic gallery there is,” said owner Abbie Phillips.

“We have preschool tours come through, elementary school kids with attention disorders, high school gang rehab kids--plus the finest artists, writers and serious art collectors. There’s something here that will appeal to every person and level of understanding and appreciation.”

The gallery is celebrating its third anniversary with an exhibit called “Untold Tales” that “reflects the diversity in subject matter and style in children’s books.”

On view through Oct. 24 are original works by David Shannon, Deborah Nourse Lattimore, Steve Jonson and Jon Agee.

The exhibit includes Shannon’s “very powerful mythic images” from Jane Yolen’s book “Encounter,” “the story of Columbus from the Native Americans’ viewpoint.”

Johnson is represented by his illustrations for Jon Scieszka’s “The Frog Prince Continued.” “It’s the untold tale of what happened after the Frog Prince turns back into the prince,” Phillips explained. “He goes through a tour of all the famous witches in fairy tales trying to turn himself back into the frog.”

“Acrylic, collage, oil--all sorts of media are used in illustrating children’s books today. It’s art that equals any other art around,” she said. “Under this umbrella of children’s books, we’re able to exhibit art that represents every school of art, from Impressionists to fairly avant-garde images.

Upcoming events in October and November include exhibits and appearances by Australian artist Graeme Base (“Animalia” and “The Eleventh Hour”), author-illustrator Lattimore (“The Winged Cat”), and fine artist Maira Kalman (“Max in Hollywood, Baby”).

(Kalman fans will also find her at Books of Wonder in Beverly Hills in November, another gallery/bookstore specializing in children’s book art and books. Books of Wonder will feature fall exhibits and in-store appearances by Kalman and other children’s book artists including Paul Zelinsky, Michael Hague, Rosemary Wells and Tomie De Paola.)

Every Picture Tells a Story, 836 N. La Brea Ave., Tue.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; (213) 962-5420.

Pooh-ped Out: The Serendipity Theatre Co.’s third-season opener at the Coronet Theatre is a surprising disappointment.

The company that brought sensitivity and visual depth to its productions of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and “The Diary of Anne Frank,” created a riotous “Androcles and the Lion” and a picture-perfect version of Tomie De Paola’s “Merry Christmas, Strega Nona,” doesn’t manage more than a ho-hum “Winnie-the-Pooh.”

At a recent performance, Kristen Sergel’s adaptation for very young children, directed by Randall Perry, was in trouble from the beginning when Christopher Robin (child actor Tom Odell) sat alone on stage and could barely be heard over chattering preschoolers in the audience.

A lagging pace by Pooh and friends didn’t improve matters, nor did Randall’s uninspired use of the three-tree set courtesy of Pro-scenery; Karen McKinney-Dyer’s costumes, looking like nothing more than stuffed Dr. Denton’s, and the mostly professional cast’s inability to capture the charm of A.A. Milne’s language.

“Winnie-the-Pooh,” Coronet Theatre, 366 N. La Cienega Blvd., Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 1 and 4 p.m. through Nov. 1. $12, $6 for ages 13 and under; (310) 652-9199. Running time: under 1 hour.