Valley Parenting : Bookstores for Children

There’s no shortage in the San Fernando Valley. Many date back decades and offer timeworn advice to parents on the prowl for good children’s reading:

Lewis for Books, which opened in 1950 in Reseda, specializes in educational books for children in elementary and secondary grades. The shop is known for a math section that includes workbooks, textbooks and teaching tools for both math and science. The inventory of 200,000 books covers paperback, hardcover and picture books suitable for children from infancy through young adulthood. 7119 Reseda Blvd., Reseda. (818) 343-5634.

Creative Play Resources carries 2,000 books in its Northridge store, which opened in 1972, and offers hard and softcover fiction and nonfiction for children of all ages. Author signing and storytelling are sometimes scheduled. 9420 Reseda Blvd., Northridge. (818) 886-4150.

Educative Toy and Supply has carried a selection of 3,000 children’s books at its Van Nuys site for 35 years. Specialty sections feature books on new babies, death, self-worth and values for all ages, in addition to fiction, science and how-to-read books. 6416 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys. (818) 782-5580.

Animal Kracker, open since 1975, offers nonfiction and fiction selections for children of various interests and ages. The shop is known for packaging picture books with stuffed animals that represent their fictional characters. “Wind in the Willows,” for instance, comes with a stuffed toad, while “Wolf Chicken Stew” includes a wolf puppet. 17330 Ventura Blvd. in the Encino Oaks shopping center, Encino. (818) 986-0264.

Once Upon a Time carries 2,000 paperback and hardcover, fiction and nonfiction titles for children from infancy through teen-age. Storytelling is often scheduled at the shop, which opened in 1966. 2284 Honolulu Ave., Montrose. (818) 248-9668.

An Affair with Books in Newhall features a self-help section for youths who are hearing-impaired, adopted or have Down’s Syndrome, among other topics. The shop’s 20,000 fiction and nonfiction titles range from infant to young adult reading and include numerous multicultural selections. Author signings are held at the store and the staff visits schools to promote reading. 22700 Lyons Ave., Newhall. (805) 259-6566.

Pages, now in its 10th year in Tarzana, carries 20,000 titles for children of all ages. Both fiction and nonfiction are featured in the 1,800-square-foot store and specialized sections offer foreign language selections, parent resources and topics of interest to children (birth, death, divorce, etc.). Events such as storytelling, author signing and music presentations are held often. 18399 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana. (818) 342-6657.

Child Dreams, which opened two years ago in Studio City, specializes in hardcover illustrated books for infants and children up to 10 years old. Some young adult fiction and nonfiction is included among the 2,000-book inventory and handmade wooden and educational toys are also featured. 12242 1/2 Ventura Blvd., Studio City. (818) 761-8508.

Secret Garden, open since last year in Burbank, features 4,000 fiction and nonfiction titles. A parenting section covers pregnancy, illness, autism and divorce, among other topics. A multicultural section is heavily stocked with Spanish and American Indian titles. A few used books are sold and the store is available for storytelling and birthday parties. 204 North Victory Blvd., Burbank. (818) 842-4503.