Unique Children’s Bookstore to Open in Santa Ana

Libreria Martinez Books & Art Gallery will host the grand opening of its Libreria Para Ninos (children’s bookstore) in Santa Ana on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The new, 2,000-square-foot bookstore, gallery and theater, is at 1200 N. Main St. across an alley from owner Rueben Martinez’s 3,000-square-foot bookstore, gallery and barber shop.

In addition to actor and artist Pepe Serna, a number of children’s book series characters will make appearances during the day, including Madeline and Hank, Clifford (“The Big Red Dog”), Maisy and Peter Rabbit.

The new store will sell children’s books in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and other languages and is the first of its kind in Orange County. (714) 973-7900.

Book Signings at Round Table West

Burt Boyar (“Sammy,” a consolidation of Sammy Davis Jr.’s autobiographies “Yes I Can” and “Why Me,” which Boyar wrote), Michael Mason (“The Park Avenue Chorus Boy”) and Pat Farrell (“Get a Life: How to Be Happy No Matter What’s Happening”) will discuss their books at the Round Table West literary luncheon at noon Thursday at the Newport Beach Country Club, 1600 E. Coast Highway, Newport Beach. $40. For reservations, call (323) 256-7977.

Also Coming Up

* Martin J. Smith will discuss and sign “Straw Men” at the Los Alamitos-Rossmoor Library, 12700 Montecito Road, Seal Beach. 3 p.m. today. (562) 596-3052.

* Cornel West, an author, activist and professor of Afro-American Studies and Philosophy of Religion at Harvard University, will read and sign “Race Matters” in Cove Auditorium in the Student Center at UC Irvine. 7 p.m. Wednesday. (949) 824-7215.

* Dan Tsang will interview H. Bruce Franklin (“Vietnam and Other American Fantasies”) on “Subversity” on KUCI (88.9 FM) in Irvine. 5 p.m. Wednesday.

* Steve Nakamoto will discuss and sign “Men Are Like Fish: What Every Woman Needs to Know About Catching a Man” at the Huntington Beach Library, 7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach. 7 p.m. Wednesday. (714) 842-4481.

* Barbara DeMarco Barrett will interview poet Billy Collins (“Questions About Angels”) on “Writers on Writing” on KUCI (88.9 FM) in Irvine. 5 p.m. Thursday.

* Jayne Ann Krentz will discuss and sign “Lost and Found” at Coffee, Tea & Mystery, 11931 Valley View St., Garden Grove. 1 p.m. Thursday. (714) 898-2583.

* Patricia Guiver will sign ‘Delilah Doolittle and the Canine Chorus” at Book Site, 161 Del Mar, San Clemente. 11 a.m. Saturday. (949) 492-4761.

* Sheri Zampelli will discuss and sign “From Sabotage to Success: How to Overcome Self-Defeating Behavior and Reach Your True Potential” at Borders Books & Music, 22401 Old Canal Road, Yorba Linda. 1 p.m. Saturday. (714) 974-4743.

*

Send information about book-related events at least 10 days in advance to: Dennis McLellan, O.C. Books & Authors, Los Angeles Times, Orange County edition, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Or e-mail to dennis.mclellan@latimes.com.