Kids Los Angeles - March 02, 2009

Read Between the Lines

Neat New Books by Local Scribes

Come bedtime, he’s strictly by the book. Literally. The same one. Every. single. night.

Change up the repertoire with three original stories by local authors.

Cootielicious
Meet Matty, an insect-gobbling boy, and his best pal, Klunkers, in Big Bug Lunch. Tots bug out over singer/songwriter Skaie Knox’s accompanying soundtrack.

This Spud’s for You
Kiddos eat up Deborah Reilly’s crime-solving potato and corn cob duo, Starchy & Husk. Join them in tackling the Green Boot in Soup Caper. Brownie points: a portion of sales goes to children’s causes (Dola, 1423½ Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice; 310-664-9300).

For Goodness Snake
Creativity abounds in Snobbles the Great, by Jason Dobkin and Erika Gragg. It’s the mystical tale of a fruit-eating serpent on a journey to save his reptile friends from death by mongoose. (To find a local bookstore, go to indiebound.org.)

MAKE
Paper Dolls
What: Inspired by Paper Cuts: 200 Years of Black Paper Dolls, youngsters craft dollies and clothes with artist Dorothy Elliott-Taylor. Grown-ups, be prepared to help.
Why: A cut above.
When: Sat., 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Where: Craft and Folk Art Museum, 5814 Wilshire Blvd., at Curson Ave., Miracle Mile. R.S.V.P. to 323-937-4230 ext. 50 or workshops@cafam.org.

SHOP
Busy Bees Trunk Show
What: Preppy-chic line for little ladies and gents debuts its spring collection.
Why: Catch the buzz.
When: Mon.-Wed., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: Poppy Store, Brentwood Country Mart, 225 26th St., b/t San Vicente Blvd. & Georgina Ave., Santa Monica. R.S.V.P. to 310-260-0002 or info@poppystores.com.

SAVE
The Little Cottage
What: Score new, vintage, and secondhand munchkin duds (Bloom Love, Kate Quinn Organics, Grana & Maù) at this hidden gem consignment shop.
Why: Hand-me-down heaven.
When: Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 859 Swarthmore Ave., b/t Antioch St. & La Cruz Dr., Pacific Palisades (310-454-5753).