Tale Chasing

Storytellers, children’s authors, puppeteers and a rose-filled garden where people can enjoy crumpets and tea will highlight the third annual Children’s Book Festival at the Simi Valley Library this weekend.

The festival, which kicks off National Children’s Book Week next week, includes a postcard design contest open to any student in the county.

Contest forms are available at the library’s reference desk, and entries can be submitted until noon Saturday at the festival.

The theme of the festival since its inception in 1997 is “Reading Together, Growing Together.” Last year’s contest winner was then first-grader Carina Geobio Boo, who drew a colorfully dressed boy and girl clutching a book and surrounded by animals.

“Reading does help you grow, and spending 20 minutes a day doing it with your child can make a huge difference for kids in their academic success,” said Alexis O’Neill, president of the Simi Valley Friends of the Library, a nonprofit group that is sponsoring the event along with several businesses and community groups.

All contest entries will be displayed at the two-day festival, and the winning postcard will be used to promote next year’s event. The winner will be announced Sunday at 1 p.m.

In addition to the contest, each day will be filled with readings and performances by nationally known authors, including picture-book author and illustrator Leslie Tryon, a Simi Valley High School graduate who penned a series of books about the adventures of Albert, a white duckling.

Author Walter Mayes, known as the “Giant Storyteller” because of his 6-foot-7 frame, will also tell a few tales.

“He converts kids into readers instantly,” O’Neill said.

Mayes recently wrote a resource guide for parents describing several books that are ideal for parents to share with their children.

Authors and illustrators John Retaino and Bill Haines, guests at this year’s Times Book Festival, will read from their book, “What If the Zebras Lost Their Stripes,” and give illustration demonstrations. Ojai artist Maria del Rey will discuss and perform portions of her new compact disc titled “Latin Lullabies.”

Actress Andrea Gibbs, who toured with the national production of the musical “Cats,” will talk about her book, “Let’s Put on a Show,” and the Alphabet Soup Puppeteers of Camarillo will stage a marionette show.

Also featured will be poetry readings, storytelling by Santa Barbara author Michael Katz and volunteers in Victorian-style dresses roaming an outdoor area called the Secret Garden, serving tea and crumpets.

There will be hourly drawings for prizes, including signed books by the visiting authors as well as giveaways from businesses and national book publishers.

New and used books will be for sale, and a silent auction for several first edition books, including Kay Thompson’s “Eloise in Paris” and “Eloise in Moscow” and L. Frank Baum’s “Glinda Oz.”

Admission and parking are free. Activities will run Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

The library, which is wheelchair accessible, is at 2969 Tapo Canyon Road off the Ronald Reagan Freeway in Simi Valley. For more information, call 526-1735.

DETAILS

The third annual Children’s Book Festival will be held Saturday and Sunday at the Simi Valley Library, 2969 Tapo Canyon Road. Free. 526-1735.

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Writer Jim Woodard doesn’t sell books, but he tells stories to any child who comes to the Eastside Boys & Girls Club in Ventura on Friday afternoons.

For nine years, Woodard has sat among a group of kids and shared fables, folk tales, history and, occasionally, a story he’s written himself.

Children who come to a session of the Storytelling Club are also encouraged to help tell stories and participate, Woodard said.

“The kids seem to really enjoy these club sessions, and many of them become motivated to read more stories on their own, thus enhancing their reading skills,” Woodard said. “This, in turn, helps them achieve better grades in school.”

One of the club’s favorites is a German folk tale titled “Tailypo,” a spooky story about a man, several big hunting dogs and a strange-looking creature who all live in the forest.

Woodard, frequently a featured storyteller at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, specializes in telling biographical stories about great achievers such as Walt Disney and U.S. presidents. He likes to share particularly interesting moments in their lives.

“It’s a community-type of special interest club, and anyone is welcome,” he said.

The Storytelling Club is open to all children 8 to 12, whether or not they are members of the Eastside Boys & Girls Club.

Woodard tells stories every Friday at 3:30 p.m. for about 45 minutes. The events are free.

The club is at 1929 Ralston St. in Ventura. For more information, call Woodard at 658-6697 or check out his Web site at https://www.storyteller.net/jwoodard/

TIP OF THE WEEK

“Wheel to the Sea,” a naturalist-led hike specifically for people who use wheelchairs, will be held Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The hike follows sycamore-lined dirt trails from Danielson Ranch in Point Mugu State Park to Sycamore Cove Beach, where participants will have a barbecue picnic. The hike is free and open to the public. Call the Conejo Recreation and Park District at 381-2739 for more information and to preregister.

Ideas for Jaunts can be forwarded to holly.wolcott@latimes.com.