Bewitching Time

This is a weekend when librarians pull all their Halloween-themed books off the shelves.

The purpose isn’t to hide the books from sensitive readers but to make a display in the library so that kids, and parents who read aloud to their kids, will take the books home this weekend. Some families consider home story time a way to wind down after trick-or-treating.

Cynthia Merina, children’s librarian at the Encino-Tarzana branch of the Los Angeles Public Library, recommends “sweet fables rather than scary stories.” Her stack of choices, suitable for preschoolers to early elementary school kids, includes “The 13 Days of Halloween,” “The Teeny, Tiny Woman,” “In a Haunted House” and “The Halloween Performance.”

Concerning the granddaddy of all Halloween stories, Washington Irving’s classic “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” she said, “It’s pretty horrific in its original form--not something for the younger kids.” There are revised versions available for younger readers, though.

By the way, the 1949 Disney video version, available at some library branches and at many video stores (and titled “The Adventures of Ichabod,”) has not been toned down much from the original story.

Starting today, several Valley branches of the public library are putting on special Halloween programs, aimed at toddlers through elementary school-age kids.

At the Encino-Tarzana branch today at 3:30 p.m., Cynthia Merina and Julia Ann Matheson, a children’s librarian from the central branch, are presenting a form of storytelling called “finger plays.” The title of the show is “Big Black Cat.”

The Platt branch in the West Valley will present a story hour at 3:30 p.m. for kids 6 and older, featuring the tale “By the Light of the Halloween Moon.”

At the Sherman Oaks branch, today’s program at 3 p.m. will include a puppet show titled “The Fifth Witch” and an audience-participation playlet, “The Big Pumpkin,” as well as a hunt for candy hidden in the library. There will also be a costume contest. According to Marjorie Clifton, the branch’s children’s librarian, most of the participants will be third-graders and older.

Friday at the Granada Hills branch from 4-6 p.m., kids can join a costume parade, see a marionette show and gobble free treats provided by local businesses. The parade will be organized by age groups: from 4:30-5 p.m. it’s for kids 5 and under; at 5-5:30 p.m., it’s ages 6-8; and from 5:30-6 p.m., 9- to 11-year-olds can strut their stuff.

The public library has compiled a recommended list of Halloween books available at most branches. They should also be available at bookstores.

Some examples for younger kids (up to 11): “Scared Silly: A Book for the Brave,” “Go Away, Big Green Monster” and “Spooky Tricks,” which is actually a book of tricks--such as making ghosts appear on walls.

For kids over 11: “Young Ghosts,” “Wait Till Helen Comes,” “Ma and Pa Dracula” and of course the popular “Goosebumps” series.

BE THERE

Halloween Puppet Show and Party, today, beginning at 3 p.m., Sherman Oaks branch of the L.A. Public Library, 14245 Moorpark St., free; (818) 981-7850.

Halloween Story, Poetry and Crafts Hour, today beginning at 3:30 p.m., (costumes encouraged), Encino-Tarzana branch, 18231 Ventura Blvd., free; (818) 343-1983.

Halloween Story Hour, today, 3:30 p.m., Platt branch, 23600 Victory Blvd., West Hills, free; (818) 340-9386.

Halloween Program--Jim Gamble’s Marionettes, costume parade and refreshments, Friday, 4-6 p.m., free, Granada Hills branch and Granada Hills Recreation Center, 10640 Petit Ave.; (818) 368-5687 or (818) 363-3556.