Get a read on Jewish culture

The Jewish Children’s Bookfest on Sunday will honor a cultural heritage with musical performers, a tea party, author signings, workshops and storytelling -- and, of course, loads of books.

“The festival celebrates the Jewish experience in America, but also the impact America has had on its Jewish citizens,” says Len Lawrence, general manager of Mount Sinai Memorial Park in Simi Valley, where the event takes place. “What better present can we give to our children -- Jewish and non-Jewish -- but a festival that celebrates books?”

Children’s authors including David Steinberg, Eric Drachman, Susan Goldman Rubin and Etan Boritzer will read from their works, as will veteran professional women’s baseball star Tiby Eisen, whose team was the basis of the movie “A League of Their Own.”

Kids also will be able to participate in activities such as a “news reporting” workshop, in which they can interview actors portraying famous figures such as Albert Einstein and Jonas Salk. Festival-goers can also learn from artist Bob Barner at an illustration workshop, or try bookbinding or puppet making.

And if all that sounds like too much work, the Russian Children’s Song and Dance Group, Parachute Express, puppeteer Len Levitt and singer-songwriter Barney Saltzberg will provide entertainment.

-- Brenda Rees

Jewish Children’s Bookfest, the Triangle, Mount Sinai Memorial Park, 6150 Sinai Drive, Simi Valley. 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Free. (866) 266-5731