Familiar Characters

It’s easy to entertain youngsters. Just tell them a story about themselves. Better yet, give them a book about themselves. Who doesn’t love hearing about his or her favorite subject, adults included. Personalized books fill that yen and Larry Baker fills the orders.

The Simi Valley resident is the largest distributor of personalized books for children and adults in Ventura County, if not Southern California.

His company, Baker Enterprises, lists more than 120 titles that are created especially for birthdays, babies, sports, superheroes and others.

In some of the novelty books, the child becomes a character in a traditional or contemporary story--such as “Mother Goose’s Nursery Rhymes,” “101 Dalmatians” or “Where’s Waldo.”

Other books commemorate themes or important occasions in the child’s life, such as births, birthdays or holidays.

Baker is high on the psychological effects of personalized books, saying they help boost children’s sense of self-worth.

“Putting the child’s name in the book not only creates the desire for them to want to read it, but it also creates a very positive self-image within that child,” he said. “They feel good about themselves because they hear their name, see it and read it throughout the whole story.”

The target market for personalized children’s books ranges from newborn to 8 years, with some for ages up to 12.

The books are sold at Bright Ideas for Learning at 516 N. Las Posas Road, Camarillo. Baker also takes orders from his home office at 1225 Los Amigos Ave., Simi Valley.

That is, when he isn’t doing home parties, craft shows or holiday boutiques.

Some people, Baker said, bring out their holiday books year after year.

He mentioned a woman who had bought a Hanukkah book before her child could read. A few years later, the mother took out the “Magic Menorah” during Hanukkah and the child was excited to read her own name in the book.

“These books don’t typically end up in a recycler or swap meet,” Baker said. “One company calls it the gift that lasts a lifetime.”

The traditional storybook has text printed on each page. Baker also offers sticker books with a personalized sticker sheet, and pop-up books with 3-D pop-ups on each page plus personalized sticker sheets.

Baker also offers personalized books for adults. One for a golfer would include his or her name, age, hometown, the names of some friends and even a favorite golf course.

Weddings, retirements and anniversaries may be personalized as well.

Prices range from $9.95 and up. Baker can be reached through e-mail at 2458bakermsn.com or call 805-522-3458.

HAPPENINGS

* Sunday: 6 p.m. Poetry Night. Group discussion followed by a featured poet at 7 p.m. and open mike at 8 p.m. Borders, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd. (497-8159).

* Monday: 11 a.m. Storytime and Art. Celebrate Hanukkah with a story by Arthur Yorinks, “The Flying Latke” with art by William Steig. Make a handmade menorah. Borders (497-8159).

* Monday: 7 p.m. Ongoing discussion group based on best-selling series “Conversations With God” by Neale Donald Walsch. Facilitated by Jim Newell and Jim Michael of the Interfaith Church of Today. Borders (497-8159).

* Wednesday: 12 noon. Author Julie Kaewert will discuss and sign her fourth book, a paperback original. At Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd. (374-0084).

* Thursday: 7:30 p.m. Author Kimberly Kirberger, co-star of “Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul I and II,” will appear at a book signing. Thousand Oaks Barnes & Noble (446-2820).

* Friday: 7 p.m. Story time with actor Miles Marsico, co-star of the upcoming movie “Stuart Little.” The 12-year-old will read several special books, including “Stuart Little,” and discuss the movie. His television credits include “ER,” “Mad About You,” “3rd Rock From the Sun,” “Frasier” and “The Drew Carey Show.” Thousand Oaks Barnes & Noble (446-2820).

* Saturday: 10 a.m. Author C.J. Songer will discuss and sign “Hook.” Mysteries to Die For (374-0084).

* Saturday: 10:30 a.m. Story time. “Clifford the Big Red Dog.” Clifford will appear after the stories to shake hands. Photo opportunity for parents. Thousand Oaks Barnes & Noble (446-2820).

* Saturday: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Hands-On-Science and Art, with Jeri Lupton’s Oxnard College students. Reservations, 650-9688. In the parking lot of Adventures for Kids, 3457 Telegraph Road, Ventura.

* Saturday: 2 p.m. Book signing by Kevin Fagan, author of “Drabblations” and creator of “Drabble” the syndicated comic strip. At Thousand Oaks Barnes & Noble (446-2820).

Plan Ahead: Local Authors Day on Dec. 11 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Lisze Bechtold, author-illustrator of “Buster the Very Shy Dog,” Joan Bransfield Graham, author of “Flicker Flash,” and Marla Frazee, author of “Hush Little Baby.” At Adventures for Kids (650-9688).

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Congratulations to the 1999 winners of the Dorothy Daniels Honorary Writing Award Competition, sponsored by the Simi Valley branch of the National League of American Pen Women. Fiction: Carol Ann Lindsay, Carlsbad, for “The Old Man Who Saw Tomorrow.” Nonfiction: Megan Ann Garman, Chatsworth, for “People Who Make A Difference.” Poetry: Deborah Warren, Andover, MA., for “Memento Mori.”

Information about book signings, writers groups and publishing events can be e-mailed to anns40@aol.com or faxed to 647-5649.