Kids Los Angeles - January 11, 2010

More than Words

Vintage Children's Book Picks from Equator Books

Kindle schmindle. Our motto when it comes to picture books is out with the new, in with the old. Co-owner of Equator Books Michael Deyermond shares a few of his favorite vintage children’s reads.

History Can Be Fun, by Munro Leaf
“The illustrator of Ferdinand the Bull and Manners Can Be Fun wrote this in 1950. It’s amusing how the worldview has since changed.”

Clown, by Quentin Blake
“Blake illustrated nearly all of Roald Dahl’s books, but this is his first authorship. It’s about a clown who was born in a garbage can and ends up in a happy family.”

Rhyme Stew, by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
“From the gents who brought you Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Fantastic Mr. Fox, these are nursery rhymes the way only these two tricksters could spin ’em.” (Intended for older kiddos.)

Now everyone’s on the same page.

For these neat books and more classic kid lit, check out Equator Books, 1103 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, at Westminster Avenue, Venice (310-399-5544 or equatorbooks.com).

SAVE
Kalon Studios
What: Take 15 percent off all furniture, including handcrafted cribs and changing trunks from the local design studio.
Why: Baby, you’re worth it.
When: Sun.-Feb. 1.
Where: Online at kalonstudios.com. (Enter code happynewyear at checkout.)

SEE
Alice and the Wonderful Tea Party
What: Alice returns to the Wonderland of her youth in this zany update on the Lewis Carroll classic. Stay for a tea party after the show (arrange in advance).
Why: You’d be mad as a hatter not to.
When: Thru Mar. 7. Sat. & Sun., 12:30 & 3 p.m.
Where: Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 Fourth St., b/t Wilshire Blvd. & Arizona Ave., Santa Monica (310-394-9779 ext. 2).