GO AHEAD--IT’S ALOUD : Young Readers Are Invited to Get an Earful From Storytellers During National Children’s Book Week

Children and books are natural companions, but, as author James J. Trelease points out in his essay, “The Power of Books,” the union is best served when a third party steps in.

“It is in (childhood) that our minds are most open and innocent, when we are ready and willing to believe that animals can talk, lost children can fly, houses can be made of gingerbread,” writes Trelease, author of “The New Read-Aloud Handbook.”

But, he continues, “books and people do not have Velcro sides . . . there must be a bonding agent.” And parents, grandparents, teachers and librarians are the most likely candidates for the job. Trelease cites several widely known authors whose love for books was influenced by their elders: Hans Christian Andersen’s impoverished shoemaker fatherread to him from the “Arabian Nights” and acted out the stories in a homemade toy theater; Langston Hughes’ Kansas grandmother raised him on a steady literary diet of the Bible and tales from the Brothers Grimm.

If you’d like to strengthen the bond between youngsters and books in your home, the 75th anniversary of National Children’s Book Week is a good time to do it. The event, which begins Monday, is sponsored by the Children’s Book Council Inc. in New York but will be marked locally by libraries, bookstores and others. Programs include professional storytellers spinning folk tales, preschoolers’ story times and dramatic readings from “The Pagemaster,’ a fantasy by David Kirschner and Ernie Contreras, which inspired an upcoming Hollywood film.

All of the following programs are offered free or for a small charge; times and dates are subject to change, so it’s a good idea to call ahead. (By the way, many of these sites offer readings and story times on a regular basis.)

Reservations are not required, and laps, preferably those of the warm parent or grandparent variety, are encouraged.

Monday, Nov. 14

* 11 a.m.: Preschoolers’ story hour at Barnes & Noble bookstore in MainPlace/Santa Ana, 2800 N. Main St., lower level.

* 3 p.m.: Edie’s Marionettes perform at Stanton Library, 7850 Katella Ave.

* 3:30 p.m.: Storyteller Judith Helton performs as “Little House on the Prairie” author Laura Ingalls Wilder at Seal Beach Mary Wilson Library, 707 Electric Ave.

Tuesday, Nov. 15

* 10 a.m.: Readings from D. Gackenbach’s “The Mighty Tree” and hands-on nature activities at the Fullerton Arboretum, 1900 Associated Road, for children ages 3 to 6 and parents. (Program repeats Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. and Nov. 19 at 10 a.m.)

* 10 and 11 a.m.: Preschoolers’ story time at the Reading Rhinoceros, 24200 Alicia Parkway, No. 30, Mission Viejo.

* 3:30 p.m.: Author Dorothy Rhodes Freeman speaks at San Clemente Library, 242 Avenida Del Mar.

* 4 p.m.: Professional storyteller Poli Rizco spins tales at the Fullerton Public Library, 353 W. Commonwealth Ave.

Wednesday, Nov. 16

* 6:30 p.m.: Living history program about the Mayflower at Mission Viejo Library, 24851 Chrisanta Drive.

* 7 p.m.: Storyteller Michael McCarty presents a family program at Dana Niguel Library based on the theme “Read Across America,” 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point.

* 7 p.m.: San Juan Capistrano Regional Library, 31495 El Camino Real, hosts a “Teddy Bear Bash.”

* 7 p.m.: Stories and music by author Barney Saltzberg at La Habra Library, 221 E. La Habra Blvd.

* 7 p.m.: Story time with “Miss Linda and Froggie” at La Palma Library, 7842 Walker St.

Thursday, Nov. 17

* 3:30 p.m.: Linda Lubeck-Haylett presents a program of stories, puppetry and dance at San Juan Capistrano Regional Library, 31495 El Camino Real.

* 4 p.m.: Poli Rizco tells tales at Fullerton Library’s Hunt branch, 201 S. Basque Ave.

* 7 p.m.: “Pajama Party” story hour at Barnes & Noble in MainPlace/Santa Ana, 2800 N. Main St.

Friday, Nov. 18

* 11 a.m.: Borders Books and Music, 25222 El Paseo in Mission Viejo, presents readings from “The Pagemaster.”

* 1 p.m.: Local author John Reynolds, whose books include “Stone Fox” and “General Butterfingers,” discusses his work and his childhood at A Whale of a Tale, 4187 Campus Drive, Irvine.

Saturday, Nov. 19

* 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.: Borders presents readings from “The Pagemaster” (see Nov. 18).

* 2 p.m.: Orange County Department of Education presents members of the South Coast Storytellers Guild performing readings from “The Pagemaster” at the Broadway stores in Crystal Court (Costa Mesa), Huntington Center (Huntington Beach), Laguna Hills Mall and Brea Mall. All shows signed for the hearing impaired.

* 7 and 9 p.m.: Multicultural program by Dan Kwong at San Juan Capistrano Regional Library, 31495 El Camino Real.

* 7:30 p.m.: Reader’s Theater presentation of Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” at Dana Niguel Library, 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point.

* 8 p.m.: South Coast Storytellers Guild marks the nationwide “Tellebration!” event with an evening of storytelling for ages 10 to adult at Mission Viejo High School Theatre, 25025 Chrisanta Drive. New York’s Diane Wolkstein is featured, along with 10 local professional tellers. $15. (714) 496-1960.

Sunday, Nov. 20

* 11:30 a.m.: Readings from “The Pagemaster” at Borders (see Nov. 18).

* 1 p.m.: Family storytelling workshop and a “story swap” for all ages at the Placentia Library, 411 E. Chapman Ave.

* 2 p.m.: Storytelling at Westminster Branch Library, 8180 13th. St.

* 3 p.m.: Connie Porter, author of the “Addy” books in the “American Girls Collection,” reads from her works in a program at Children’s Book Cottage, 30100 Town Center Drive, B-2, Laguna Niguel.

MORE KID STUFF

IN CAPISTRANO: ‘HOW TO EAT LIKE A CHILD’

The South Orange County Community Theatre presents Delia Ephron’s comic primer for kids (and anyone who has them) Thursday through Saturday through Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. at the Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real. $5 to $10; under 6, free. (714) 489-8082.

IN FULLERTON: ‘LASTING IMPRESSIONS’

Saturday, Nov. 12, from 1:30 to 3 p.m., 8- to 12-year-olds at the Fullerton Museum Center, 301 N. Pomona Ave., will be introduced to the pointillist style of Georges Seurat, then create their own paintings using thousands of colored dots. $5. (714) 738-6545.

IN TUSTIN: CHILDREN’S BOOK ILLUSTRATIONS

Works by award-winning illustrators Dean Morrissey, Deborah Lattimor and Brad Sneed will be on view at Chemers Gallery (17300 17th St.) Sunday, Nov. 13, from 1 to 5 p.m. The event includes book signings and readings for the kids. FREE. (714) 731-5432.