In-Store Children's Events: December 2006 STORYTIME Every Monday - Friday at 11:00am and Thursdays at 3:00pm We feature our own Storytime readers, sometimes with surprise guests, who entertain children from newborn to age four with tales of fun and delight. RSVP required? No Recommended ages: All ages Admission price: Free Friday, December 1st at 11:00am: “Sing Baby Sing” To Sing or not to Sing – That’s the Challenge. Join us with your baby, toddler or preschooler as Joy Sikorski of SingBabySing™ leads us in unique interactive voice games that are used at child development centers throughout California. Explore the links between singing, speech, the voice, literacy and language as you discover how it’s possible to train your child’s voice from birth onward. Don’t miss this fun event that also features a CD signing by this award-winning composer. RSVP required? No Recommended ages: 0-3 years Admission price: Free Saturday, December 2nd at 3:00pm: “Music With Melissa” Always a favorite here at Storyopolis, the talented children’s Musician, Melissa, will be performing live. Whether you are a regular, or stopping by for the first time, Melissa’s music will create a fun and lively atmosphere that will stay with you throughout the day. RSVP required? No Recommended ages: All ages Admission price: Free Sunday, December 3rd at 11:30am: Temple B’nai Hayim Storytime The wonderful Temple B’nai Hayim Children’s Center presents this special storytime event that will be filled with music, circle time, art, and other fun activities that will keep and engage all children in a fun and educational manner. Come join us and experience the delightful presentations of Temple B’nai Hayim Children’s Center. RSVP required? No Recommended ages: All ages Admission price: Free Monday December 4th, 11:00 am: “Lady Bug Music” The Music Together bunch presents an alternative to the ordinary Monday. Come by the store and experience live performances from the acclaimed Lady Bug Music Series. The happy songs and imaginative lyrics will start the day off right. RSVP required? No Recommended ages: All ages Admission price: Free Tuesday, December 5th at 2:00pm: “Toot And Puddle: I’ll Be Home For Christmas” Join us for this special Toot & Puddle Holiday event!!! Storyopolis presents a live character and costume performance of the popular book “Toot & Puddle: I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” free Polaroid pictures with Toot & Puddle, and a free Toot & Puddle gift bag for every kid. Don’t miss out on all the holiday fun with Holly Hobbie’s timeless character duo!!! RSVP required? No Recommended ages: All ages Admission price: Free Friday, December 8th at 11:00am: “Music With Ellen & Matt” The Talented musical duo of Ellen and Matt present songs from their new CD, “Best Friends.” Mixing an original blend of classic styles, such as that of the Beatles and Pixies, with a joyful children’s format, makes for one great show. Come experience music’s many moods with Ellen and Matt. RSVP required? No Recommended ages: All ages Admission price: Free Saturday, December 9th at 11:00am: “Kalan The Mighty Warrior” By Kim Strauss Join us at Storyopolis for an incredible reading, signing, and special musical surprise with author and entertainer, Kim Strauss. Recently receiving the tremendous honor of being an Amazon.com best-seller, “Kalan the Mighty Warrior” is a book about two imaginative and adventurous boys who set out on an adventurous camping trip. Along the way, they are confronted with eerie, foreboding clues about the terrifying and harrowing events to come. On this unforgettable journey, the boys encounter magic, myth, and a unique owl that leads them to a dazzling world far beyond their wildest dreams. RSVP required? No Recommended ages: 6 years and up Admission price: Free Saturday, December 9th at 1:00pm: The Music Of Francie Kelley And The Kelleys A long time favorite at Storyopolis, Francie Kelley and The Kelleys will be performing songs of the holiday season as well as favorites from their feel-good CD “Wake up & Go to Sleep.” Come dressed in your favorite Jammies or colors of the season and dance away with Francie Kelley and The Kelleys. RSVP required? No Recommended ages: All ages Admission price: Free Saturday, December 9th, 3:00pm: “Like A Maccabee” By Barbara Bietz This middle-grade chapter book tells the story of Ben, a 10-year-old boy who is gearing up for a championship soccer game while adjusting to the changes in his family that have occurred since his grandfather moved in. Join us at Storyopolis as the author, Barbara Bietz, presents a reading and signing of this terrific book. RSVP required? No Recommended ages: All ages Admission price: Free Sunday, December 10th, 11:30am: “Spongebob Squarepants: The Best Day Ever” Performance It’s finally here! Tom Kenny, the voice of SpongeBob SquarePants presents a live performance of SpongeBob’s latest CD, “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Best Day Ever.” Created and written by Tom Kenny and producer Andy Paley, this CD features the works of SpongeBobs animated Bikini Bottom band, “SpongeBob & the Hi-Seas.” With 26 fun tracks, some of which include Brian Wilson, Tommy Ramone, and Flaco Jimenez, this is a live event that is sure to have the store rocking like never before. RSVP required? No Recommended ages: All ages Admission price: Free Friday, December 15th, 11:00am: “Pablo’s Christmas” By Hugo C. Martin Join us for this endearing reading of Hugo Martin’s new book, “Pablo’s Christmas.” This moving Holiday tale takes place on a small farm in Mexico, where young Pablo must fill his father’s shoes and use his courage and creativity to make sure that Christmas finds its way into the heart of his family. With an incredible story and tremendous illustrations by Lee Chapman, this is the perfect event to gather your Holiday Spirits. RSVP required? No Recommended ages: 6 years and up Admission price: Free Saturday, December 16th, 11:00am: “The Meshuganutcracker” Preview “The Meshuganutcracker” is an acclaimed original musical celebrating all things Chanukah. Blending Tchaikovsky’s beautiful score with witty lyrics and traditional Jewish songs, “The MeshugaNutcracker!” is a non-stop cavalcade of Chanukah fun. Eight top-notch performers sing high Es while munching latkes! They dance in life- sized dreidel costumes while singing eight-part harmony! They form a jug band with pieces from their costumes…all while telling eight poignant and witty stories celebrating Chanukah. Who needs Tiny Tim when we’ve got a super-sized hero like Judah Maccabee! Join us live at Storyopolis for a free fun-filled preview of the full length show. The full length show will be held at the Gindi Auditorium at the University of Judaism on December 16th & 17th. Call for your full length show tickets at (877) 456-4849 or (818) 986- 7332. RSVP required? No Recommended ages: All ages Admission price: Free Saturday, December 16th, 3:00pm: “Tiny Oaks” Musical Extravaganza With The Legendary Richard M. Sherman Join us for this exciting musical performance that the whole family will love. Academy Award and Grammy winning composer/lyricist Richard M. Sherman will be performing a medley of songs from some of his greatest hits including: Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty, Bang Bang, The Jungle Book, The Winnie-the-Pooh Series, The Aristocats, Charlotte’s Web, and everyone’s favorite song, IT’S A SMALL WORLD. The Tiny Oaks Troupe will continue the entertainment by singing all the hit songs from their latest projects, the DVD Learns Along With Me!, and the CD Sing Along With Me! They will conclude the presentation with readings from their new book series along with creative and educational activities for the children. An exciting Amanda Acorn Adventure awaits your child and the child within each one of us!! RSVP required? No Recommended ages: All ages Admission price: Free Sunday, December 17th, 11:30am: Anne Marie Asner’s “Kvetchy Boy” & Hanukkah Party Bring your kids and celebrate Hanukkah with a reading of Asner’s latest book, “Kvetchy Boy.” Kvetchy Boy loves to complain. But when his friends can’t stand another minute of his kvetching, he learns to save his complaining for big problems. Come meet Kvetchy Boy and friends, Shmutzy Girl, Noshy Boy, Shluffy Girl and more, each living up to their Yiddish namesakes. Anne-Marie Asner will teach several endearing Yiddish words, read from her book “Kvetchy Boy” and lead a fun-filled dreidl-making event. Snack and signing will follow. RSVP required? No Recommended ages: All ages Admission price: Free Monday, December 18th, 11:00am: “Chasing The Jaguar” By Michele Dominguez Greene “Chasing the Jaguar” is a wonderfully well written middle grade novel by L.A. Law actress and songwriter Michele Dominguez Greene. In this coming of age story, Mexican-American Martika keeps having mythical dreams about a mysterious Jaguar, dreams that she must put together to help save those around her. With Mayan magic, mystery, and everyday teenage problems, “Chasing the Jaguar” is a dynamic novel that has it all. Join us for this special reading and appearance by author Michele Dominguez Greene. RSVP required? No Recommended ages: 10 years and up Admission price: Free Saturday, December 23rd, 11:00am: Storyopolis Holiday Storytime The cast of Storyopolis will be reading some of your favorite Holiday stories in this once a year special storytime performance. RSVP required? No Recommended ages: All ages Admission price: Free Friday, December 29th & Saturday, December 30th, 1:00pm: Chess With Cliff Campbell Join us for a special Chess presentation by the world renowned Chess teacher, Cliff Campbell. This event will feature a Q & A session, an engaging chess match up, and early registration for Chess lessons that Mr. Campbell will be providing at Storyopolis beginning January 2007. Don’t miss this chance to learn from a true Chess expert! Special preview and early registration on both days. RSVP required? No Recommended ages: 6 years and up Admission price: Free Saturday, December 30th, 11:00am: New Years Ball FUN! FUN! AND MORE FUN! DJ Groovy Dave will have you dancing like you have never danced before. This festive event filled with New Years music, hop-around tunes, and a mock New Years countdown makes this a New Years experience that you will not forget. RSVP required? No Recommended ages: All ages Admission price: Free