Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in west la, CA

Toot Toot! The Dinosaur Train is Coming to Town on PBS Kids!

by Susan Choi

August 10, 2009

Being the local editor for West LA Savvy Source comes with a few perks. I got a chance to visit the Jim Henson studio in Hollywood and meet the creator and producers of a new PBS Kids show called Dinosaur Train. My kids have had the chance to watch a couple episodes and they really enjoyed it. Here is what I like about the show:

The parents are present! As much as I love all the PBS Kids programming (my kids don't watch anything else on TV), how many parents are actually an integral part of the show? I can't think of one. On Dinosaur Train, Mr and Mrs Pteranodon are the ones who take their kids aboard the train to learn more about dinosaurs. I asked Craig Bartlett, the creator of the show (pictured above with paleontologist Dr. Scott, executive producers Lisa Henson and Halle Stanford), if this was a conscious decision. His response was an emphathic yes! The heart of the show is to go out and get into nature, and explore the world as a family unit.

Because Barney doesn't quite qualify as a dinosaur show...This is the only show for preschoolers that teaches kids about dinosaurs in a way that is very entertaining and informative. At the end of each segment, Dr. Scott (a real life paleontologist) does a quick recap and then helps make the link from the creatures of the past to the animals of the present. The show also introduces early critical thinking skills similar to Curious George (also on PBS Kids).

The artistry is amazing. Maybe I am easily impressed because my artistic skills never progressed past third grade, but the animation is really beautiful. The colors are rich and vibrant. All the elements pop out as if they've managed to make the show 3D.

All my kids love the show, even my princess loving girls. I really encourage you to check it out when it premieres on Labor Day September 7th!

 

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Weekend Warrior: Whale Watching

by Susan Choi

August 06, 2009

With the weather becoming more mild over the next few days, I hope you get a chance to go out and enjoy the weekend!

The Skirball Cultural Center is hosting Rhythm Child on Saturday at 12 noon and 2 pm. Rhythm Child leads families in an interactive drumming experience that my kids love! On Sunday at 12 noon and 2 pm, Sunshine Storyteller, Ina Buckner-Barnette, is a masterful performer. She weaving together humor, songs, and games in her retelling of international folktales and poems.

Family Saturdays at the Ford Theatre has begun this month at 10 am and runs through the end of August. This year's theme is Big!World!Fun! DreamDance will be performing Dancing in the Rain. This Chinese dance troupe mixes ancient elements with contemporary styles to create of show bursting with lights, colors, and sounds. Children are free but reservations must be made for them. Adults are $5. This week's preshow activity is Junior Scientist Workshop--"Earth: Fossils." Explore and sketch Ammonite fossils. Each participant gets their own Junior Scientist Journal. Workshop begins at 9 am before the show, so get there early!

There is a lot of activities occurring at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro. The Research Library is turning four! There will be stories, crafts and other activities to celebrate on Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. The aquarium is also hosting a blue and humpback whale watching expedition on Saturday from 9 am to 12 noon. The boat leaves from San Pedro and travels through the Catalina Channel. Registration is required.

The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium is hosting Shark Sundays. At 3:30 pm, they will feed the hungry sharks and make a short presentation. Short films are shown at scheduled intervals throughout the afternoon.

The Zimmer Museum is hosting Family fun day on Sunday from 2 pm to 4 pm. Today's craft will be designing your own Persian-style rug to make a magic carpet.

Levitt Pavilion at MacArthur Park is hosting a free summer concert series. It is a casual, open-lawn venue where you can pack a picnic dinner and enjoy an outdoor concert that is family friendly and free! Target is hosting the Children's Night concert series on Sunday evenings at 6:30 pm. This Sunday, it is Aaron Nigel Smith and the FUNdamentals band. Mr Smith and his band brings upbeat sounds and fun dance moves to the stage in a program that the whole family will enjoy.

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For the Mature Funny Bones: Humorous Books for Adults

by Susan Choi

August 03, 2009

Last week we talked about funny books and characters for your kids. This week, let's talk about funny books and characters for adults. In 2000 BC (i.e. before children), I was into high brow humor, movies, books. I wanted my entertainment to be a cerebral experience. Yes, I was a snob but I just thought I should be enlightened as much as possible. Now, watching someone slip on a banana peel and pass gas would be my idea of a perfect comedy. Nothing that requires too much thought or concentration since I am generally trying to fold laundry, pay bills, or respond to emails while I am watching a DVD. And those rare nights I can lie down and read a good book (aside from Twilight), I really enjoy reading comedy. These are a few books that I have read recently that were great ways of being amused and entertained.

Operating Instructions by Anne Lamott--I actually read this book a while ago when in the midst of two kids under the age of two, and feeling sorry for myself. Reading this book helped me to feel grateful for my spouse, my support network, and my faith. But it also allowed me to laugh at myself as I could relate to the never ending poop episodes and the vacillating emotions of love and fury that I felt towards my children, depending on my level of sleep deprivation. Mostly, it helped me to realize that I wasn't alone. Our lives with our children are both magical and mundane. Her book reminded me to laugh--especially when I wanted to wallow in self-pity.

Porn for New Moms by Cambridge Women's Pornography Cooperative and Susan Anderson--Before you call up my editor to get me fired for recommending this book, it's not what you think. Yes, there are pictures of half-naked men with bedroom eyes and suggestive poses. But these photos are coupled with quotes like, "Damn! You look hot in those sweatpants! or "Don't worry, honey. Your mother and I will take wonderful care of the baby while you and your girlfriends are at the spa." I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard. It is a great book to give to a new mom (who has a good sense of humor)--just be sure to read through it yourself first. I guarantee it will have you wiping tears from your eyes from both laughter and perhaps wishing that those words would come out of your spouse's mouth.

Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson--Everyone has their favorite cartoon characters. Calvin and Hobbes is mine. In college, whenever I wanted to take a break from studying, I would pull out my books and just start rolling on the ground laughing. I was reading the books again the other day and it has now taken on a new dimension for me. Whenever I hear my girls playing games and randomly applying a new rule to the game that would put things in their favor, it reminds me of Calvin. I think Mr. Watterson did such a great job in capturing the creativity and hilarity of childhood. Before, I just found it funny. Now, I can relate to the inner workings of a devious child's mind.

David Sedaris--For NPR listeners, you may recognize his name from his humorous special commentaries. I enjoyed listening to Mr. Sedaris on the radio and stumbled upon his books recently. After reading them, all I can say is, I am grateful that I did not grow up in the Sedaris household. Luckily, someone else did and lived to tell the story. I have read two of his books, Me Talk Pretty One Day and Naked. They are so funny but I really appreciate the fact that he and his siblings grew up to become functioning members of society. It gives me hope that my kids will survive growing up under my roof and escape my crazy mothering skills relatively unscathed.

Don't forget to take time to laugh with your spouse, with your kids and by yourself today!






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Read Our Sillies Out! Our Favorite Funny Books

by Susan Choi

July 27, 2009

Isn't hearing your children laugh the most exquisite sound? There is no polite hand covering mouth to hide the face that is contorted by laughter. It is so genuine and pure. I love it. Now that my kids are getting older, it is amazing to see them understand humor that is more cerebral. Even though a good tickle can still get them to go to pieces, a funny story can have the same effect. Here are some new and old favorites in silly kids' books that are guaranteed to get the giggles going!


Edwina, the Dinosaur who Didn't Know She was Extinct by Mo Willems--The author is a former Sesame Street script writer and author of the Pigeon series. Edwina is one of my kids' favorite books when we want a good laugh. The antagonist of the books is a boy named Reginald Von Hoobie-Doobie. The illustrations are hilarious and when read with dramatic flair, it gets the kids in stitches. So this is one of Mo Willems' books that didn't actually win an award. So what? It elicits silliness and we love it.

Blue Hat, Green Hat by Sandra Boyton--This is my kids' favorite Sandra Boyton book. It may not be the most famous but even from a young age, it made my kids laugh. It also helps to teach colors and articles of clothing. Maybe it is because they love the words "Oops!" when they're toddlers, or maybe it is because the turkey is wearing pants on his head. I don't know. But my daughters loved it when they were little, and now my one year old son loves it and makes me read it to him everyday.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judy Barrett and Ron Barrett--This book was new when I was a kid. But now it is a classic and a new 3D movie is based on this silly tale. One thing I love about this book is that it will grow with your child--both in humor and readability. What makes this book truly funny is the illustrations which is full of subtle humor that your kid will understand better as he gets older.

Good Night Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann--We recently received this book as a gift and all my kids love it. I love the fact that the story is told through the illustrations. So even though I am "reading" this book to my kids, for the most part, I'm silent and my kids are "reading" it through the pictures and giggling as I flip the pages.

Amelia Bedelia--I loved my Amelia Bedelia books as a kid. Mostly because I remember not fully understanding the humor but I still found it funny. Growing up in an immigrant home, my parents didn't use American idioms. But it stuck with me and I learned a lot. I read an Amelia Bedelia book to my oldest daughter a long while back and it was the same thing. I had to explain everything to her. But she loved it and wanted to read it over and over again. The funniest thing was months later, she would bring up some of the jokes and laugh. Even her name warrants a smile!

What are your children's favorite funny books? Feel free to share!








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Weekend Warrior: Last Weekend of July

by Susan Choi

July 23, 2009

There is so much to do this weekend around the LA area, so let's get right to it...

Family Saturdays at the Ford Theatre has begun this month at 10 am and runs through the end of August. This year's theme is Big!World!Fun! This week's performers are the Masanga Marimba. This ensemble music group performs music from Latin America and Africa on Zimbabwean marimbas. Children are free but reservations must be made for them. Adults are $5. This week's preshow activity is entitled, Junior Scientist Workshop--Air: Butterfly and Bugs. Your child can draw different wings of bugs based on the many specimens that will be available for viewing. Workshop begins at 9 am before the show, so get there early!

The Santa Monica Playhouse is hosting a Cinderella Gala Grand Masquerade Ball on Saturday at 6:30 pm. Come dressed up in costumes (or your own idea of grand ball attire), and prepare to be royally entertained! With dinner, dancing with a prince, face painting and more, this is sure to be an evening your little prince or princess will not forget. Proceeds from this evening the Santa Monica Playhouse Diversity-in-Education Family Theatre Program.

On Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is hosting Sizzlin' Summer Sandcastle Day. Bring your own supplies and help your kids build something fun in the sand.

The Wiggles Go Bananas at the Gibson Amphitheatre this Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 pm and 5 pm. Kids of all ages love the Wiggles and seeing them live is a real treat!

Ellen Switkes will be continuing the Saturday Storytelling Series at Children's Book World this Saturday at 10:30 am.

The Skirball Cultural Center is hosting Contra-Tiempo on Saturday at 12 noon and 2 pm. The urban Latino dance theater troupe performs salsa-inspired dances. On Sunday at 12 noon and 2 pm, you can listen to the Karen Golden tell stories from around the world, accompanied by her saxophone.

The Skirball is also hosting a family event called The Science of Super Heroes on Sunday at 10 am and 1 pm. Join the Scarlet Scientist and investigate the secrets behind some of comic books' greatest heroes! Through hands-on experiments, expose the truth behind various super powers such as flight, x-ray vision, and lightning speed. Tickets to this event also grants you entrance to Noah's Ark.

Levitt Pavilion at MacArthur Park is hosting a free summer concert series. It is a casual, open-lawn venue where you can pack a picnic dinner and enjoy an outdoor concert that is family friendly and free! Target is hosting the Children's Night concert series on Sunday evenings at 6:30 pm. This Sunday, it is youth talent night. Youth from Westlake and surrounding communities will be the stars.

The Fowler Museum at UCLA is hosting a Kids in the Courtyard art session on Sunday from 1 pm to 4 pm. Make a kangaroo mask and then compete in a leaping contest! The Summer Sunset concert featuring Dave's Aussie Bush Band begins at 4 pm. The native Australian music group will perform folk and pop songs from Down Under.

The Zimmer Museum is hosting Family fun day on Sunday from 2 pm to 4 pm. Today's theme will be Korean kites.

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Stargazing for Preschoolers and a Visit to the Griffith Observatory

by Susan Choi

July 20, 2009

My family traveled to Disneyworld in April and decided to keep our kids on Pacific Standard Time for their schedule. The kids woke up around 9 am but we didn't go to bed until 11 pm. At home, especially in the summer time, the kids are asleep before the sun even sets. So my kids were mesmerized by the night sky. With my extremely limited knowledge of constellations, I tried to point out the few that I could figure out. It was probably in part to being delirious with exhaustion but my kids found it all so fascinating! I decided to get a few stargazing books for children and my kids love them. After we go through the books and become more acquainted with the stars, we will celebrate with a trip to Griffith Observatory. Your kids may also love these books so I thought I would share them with you.

Zoo in the Sky: A Book of Animal Constellations by Jacqueline Mitton and Christina Balit--A beautifully illustrated and written book about the constellations that are named for animals. This is a great book that children can grow into as they get older. My daughters love the pictures and listening to the stories about each constellation. The night sky comes alive with this gorgeous book.

Once Upon a Starry Night: A Book of Constellations by Jacqueline Mitton and Christina Balit--Another beautifully illustrated and written book by the same pair of author and illustrator. It is similar to Zoo in the Sky but this one focuses on the constellations with Greek myth origins. There is another book written and illustrated by this pair on the planets that is equally wonderful.

The Kids Book of the Night Sky by Ann Love, Jane Drake and Heather Collins--This book may be a little too old for preschoolers but again, it is a book that your kids can enjoy for years. The activities in the book definitely require adult assistance but they are fun even for little kids. Great for these long summer days when the kids are home and you are pulling your hair out, trying to figure out something to do with them!

I haven't yet taken my kids to the Griffith Observatory as it is our prize for becoming more familiar with the stars. However, here are some tips for visiting with your preschooler.

Public Star Parties--no, this is not referring to celebrities but the actual stars. These free parties are held monthly from 2:00 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Free-standing telescopes are set up around the observatory for the public to take a peek. The next party is on July 25th.

Planetarium show--Children under five are only allowed in the first showing at 12:45 pm on weekdays and 10:45 am on weekends. As fascinating as this show can be, it can also be frightening for young children. So if you have a child who is sensitive to loud noises and bright lights, skip the show or be prepared to leave quickly.

Let's Make a Comet--From now until labor day, make a point to catch a presentation of the popular Let's Make a Comet demonstration program in the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon. The presenter makes a comet from household ingredients and talks about why water is so important to life on Earth. Show times are 1 pm and 3 pm on the weekends, and 2 pm and 4 pm Tuesday through Friday.








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Weekend Warrior: The Circus and Ford Family Saturdays

by Susan Choi

July 09, 2009

The weekend is upon us soon! There are a plethora of options for you and your child. With the weather so warm these days, you may want to skip all the special events and just head to the beach. You just might spot our family there too!

Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus is in town! Click here to find out more details on the circus, including a special ticket offering for Savvy readers!

Family Saturdays at the Ford Theatre has begun this month at 10 am and runs through the end of August. This year's theme is Big!World!Fun! This week's performers are the On Ensemble. This group of drummers infuse traditional taiko Japanese drumming with musical influences from hip-hop, rock and electronica. Children are free but reservations must be made for them. Adults are $5. Science-based arts and crafts session begins at 9 am before the show, so get there early!

The Skirball Cultural Center is hosting the Taiko Center of Los Angeles on Saturday at 12 noon and 2 pm. Come listen to the ancient Japanese drumming style. On Sunday at 12 noon and 2 pm, you can listen to the LA Outback play Australia' most popular instrument, the didgeridoo.

The Craft and Folk Art Museum is holding a "Listen, Learn and Make Family Workshop" on Saturday from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. You and your child can make your own shadow-boxes using the images of birds and other items, inspired by artist Joseph Cornell. RSVP required. $6 per child.

Critter Club is for three to five years olds at the Natural History Museum. This Saturday at 10 am, the museum is celebrating the slimy and the scaly critters that call the Discovery Center home as well as their cousins from around the world. Listen to stories, play games, and make a scaly craft to take home. With special guests, the California Herpetological Association! Free with museum admission. From 12 noon to 5 pm, the celebration continues with Reptile and Amphibian Appreciation Day. Come to the Discovery Center in the museum to meet radical reptiles and fabulous frogs. Meet reptiles and take a picture with them too! There will also be crafts and activities and reptile story times.

The Japanese American National Museum is hosting a family day on Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm. You and your child can explore the colorful world of Asian-American books. Admission is free all day with special activities such as book readings and crafts. From 1 pm to 4 pm, you can make your own maple granola fruit parfaits with Kidding around the Kitchen. At 2 pm, Nathaniel Lachenmeyer will read and sign his book, "The Origami Master" with a special activity to follow.

The Zimmer Museum is hosting Family fun day on Sunday from 2 pm to 4 pm. This week's theme is the Lion of Judah. Make a lion mask and learn about Ethiopia.


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Weekend Warrior: Ooooogy Green

by Susan Choi

June 11, 2009

Where did this week go? For me, it was consumed by the discovery of Twilight. Yes, I've become a Twilighter. My amazon.com shipment of books two and three are coming this weekend so I might be a little preoccupied. For those of you who wish to see the light of day and spend time with your non-vampire family, here is a round up of this weekend's activities:

Celebration Theatres' Familys at Play presents Ooooogy Green and Other Fables this Saturday and next Saturday at 10:30 am and 1 pm. This play is a story about accepting differences in each other, and self-acceptance, by using actors, puppets, sound and music.

Celebrate the beginning of LA City public libraries' Treasured Islands Summer Reading Club with a Library Pirates Storytime. Come to the Central Library KLOS Story Theatre on Saturday from 2 pm to 3 pm, for stories, puppets, and songs. To sign up for the summer reading club, click on this link.

The Japanese American National Museum is hosting a family day called Try This on for Size, hosted by Target. Enjoy free admission on Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm. Make a paper doll and design clothes for the doll; make a wacky hat and design your creation using various materials; and make an origami shirt Father's Day card. Starting at 1 pm, listen to Ai-Ling Louie read her latest book: Vera Wang Queen of Fashion; listen to a special reading of Suki's Kimono; and get an airbrushed shirt made by Loud, Proud, and Wild (limited to first 60 children).

In honor of the new Sparkle and Twang exhibit, the Autry National Center is hosting a family event. After touring the new exhibit which includes some interactive portions, kids can craft a star on Saturday from 1 pm to 2:30 pm.

McCabe's is hosting another Sunday matinee kid's show headlining Parker Bent. He is the preschool music teacher for the city of Beverly Hills. Children (and parents) adore him and his original songs. Show starts at 11 am.

The Zimmer Museum is hosting Family fun day on Sunday from 2 pm to 4 pm. Your children can help find and recover the Missing Blue Bagel!

Make a Bandolier (paper shoulder) bag at the Southwest Museum of American Indian on Sunday from 1 pm to 2 pm.







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Weekend Warrior: Mother's Day

by Susan Choi

May 07, 2009

Mother's Day is here! Or as I like to call it "a day to shirk my daily duties and do stuff for myself." In other words, nothing involving my three lovely children--spa time, a sophisticated meal, and sleep. But I suppose I would be willing to sneak in a few hours of family time to partake in one of the following activities:

The Hidden Garden Floral Designs on Pico Blvd near Sepulveda is hosting a Mother's Day special. Your children (supervised by an adult) can design a beautiful arrangement for Mom for $65 per arrangement. Stop by on Saturday at 11 am, 1 pm, or 3 pm and create a personalized floral arrangement, lovingly made by your children.

All the fire stations in the city of Los Angeles will be hosting open houses on Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. Stop by, take a tour of the station, and say thanks to these brave men and women for their services.

The first of a monthly series called Drum Downtown is starting at the Music Center. Come this Saturday from 10 am to 11:30 am and enjoy this free event (first come, first served). Hand drums, shakers, tambourines, and other percussion instruments will be provided for you and your children to rock out. Bring non-perishable food or personal care items to donate to the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank.

The Japanese American National Museum is sponsoring a free family day on Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm. This month's theme is Hawai'i. All-day craft activities such as making an origami Aloha shirt, creating a lei, "shaved ice" tissue paper artwork and making Mother's Day cards.

Baby Loves Disco is on again this Saturday from 11 am to 2 pm at the Cinespace in Hollywood. $15 in advance, $18 at door.

Love You Forever by Robert N. Munsch is one of our favorite books. He will be at Zimmer Museum to read his book on Saturday from 2 pm to 4 pm. In honor of Mother's day, all women are admitted free to the museum. Children will celebrate Mother's Day at the Museum by making special Mother's day cards.

Critter Club is for three to five years olds at the Natural History Museum . This Sunday at 10:15 am, you can visit the gardens where you can meet and release helpful bug friends. Take home your very own seedling! Free with museum admission.

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Weekend Warrior: Last Week of April and a Pat on My Back

by Susan Choi

April 23, 2009

I feel like I say this every month but I can't believe it is already the end of the month! April flew by and May is around the corner. For many students, May is the last month of school! Yikes! Already? Do you have your summer plans set yet? If not, check out the Camps and Classes section of the main Savvy Source site. I'll share a few favorites on Tuesday. Until then, there are some fun activities available this weekend--many of them are free to the public!

Is your daughter a Fancy Nancy fan? Then RSVP for a special Storyopolis and the Geffen Playhouse event featuring Robin Press Glasser, the illustrator of the Fancy Nancy books. She will be presenting her new book Tea for Ruby, which was written by Sarah Ferguson, the dutchess of York. This free event is on Saturday at 11 am. Advance RSVP is required by emailing education (at) geffenplayhouse (dot) com. Please indicate the number of people in your party.

On Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm, and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm, the Los Angeles Times is hosting their annual Festival of Books at UCLA. This event features authors and musicians, and has something for everyone, regardless of your subject preference or age. This event is free but tickets are required for indoor panel and speaker sessions (available through ticketmaster.com).

Taiko Center of LA will be performing at the Mark Taper Auditorium on Saturday at 2 pm. The mission of the Taiko Center of LA is to preserve this Japanese art form of drumming. Therefore performances are often free to the public, and participation in classes and workshops is welcomed.

Pillow Theatre at the LA Music Center is hosting another free event for preschoolers. This month's performance is ZunZun, musical theatre duo Stephen Snyder and Gwynne Cropsey, blend a variety of folkloric instruments, storytelling and comedy to celebrate the vast array of sights, sounds, stories and songs of the endangered rain forests of the Americas. The Rain Forest Sings (La Selva Canta) is a musical journey filled with songs about monkeys, snakes, jaguars, the rainforest canopy, and an orchestra of birds performed in Spanish, English and Portuguese. Performances are at 10 am and 11 am. This event is free but tickets are required. The box office will be open one hour prior to each performance.

The Murad Inclusive Health Center and Spa invites all new, seasoned and expecting moms to enjoy a day filled with treats and tips for moms and moms-to-be. On Saturday from 12 noon to 4 pm, Murad's team of experts will provide guests with the most up-to-date tips and trends in diet, nutrition and acupuncture. Indulge in Mama Mio and Mineral Essence products and free makeovers and receive a complimentary Murad gift product for scheduling a Murad signature treatment. Attendees will enjoy a free 30 minute yoga class, receive Murad Skin evaluations and be pampered! No cost to attend, just RSVP.

At the Skirball Cultural Center on Sunday at 10 am, create your very own 3D superhero figure to take home. After drawing inspiration from the galleries, head over to the art studio and use clay, glue, fabric, and other special materials. Fee includes admission to workshop and Noah's Ark: $25 Child-Adult Pair; $15 Member Child-Adult Pair; $5 per additional Adult or Child. Entrance to Noah's Ark at 10 am and studio art workshop begins at 11:30 am.

This weekend, there are two really important walks you can participate in:
March for Babies is sponsored by March of Dimes. It will be held at Exposition Park on Saturday at 8 am (registration at 7 am).
Children's Cancer Research Fund is sponsoring a Kids 4 Kids 5K Run/Walk in Century City on Sunday at 10 am (registration at 8 am).
Please click on the respective links for more information and to register.

Not to toot my own horn but GoCityKids-LA added West LA Savvy Source as an exceptional local blog site for parents. If you like us too, go on their site to get more information on other events going on throughout the week, and give us a rating and review (subliminal text: five stars, best local blog). Thanks!

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Great Earth Day Books for Your Preschooler

by Susan Choi

April 21, 2009

In continuation of our Earth Day theme, here are some wonderful books to share with your children. It is never too early to teach children information about saving the earth. Plus these books are as fun as they are educational.

Recycling:
Charlie and Lola: We Are Extremely Very Good Recyclers

Lola participates in a recycling competition and if she can recycle one hundred plastic, metal, and paper items, she can get her very own real tree to plant. Lola decides to ask her classmates to help and they turn out to be "extremely very good recyclers!" The book is printed on FSC-approved paper and includes recycling tips.

Conserving Resources:

The Great Paper Caper by Oliver Jeffers

The trees of the forest notice that something is not quite right. At first, they all blame each other for their missing limbs and friends, but each has an alibi. So they begin to look into the mystery and discover a clue that leads them to the culprit. Turns out the bear just wanted to win a paper-airplane contest so bad he had run out of paper perfecting his model and cut down the trees to make more. It is a great way to teach children that paper (and other resources) don't just magically appear.

Environmental Awareness:

Planet Earth Gets Well by Madeline Kaplan

It is a great book for older preschoolers to help them think proactively about their environment. This book helps them to think more globally to help make Planet Earth a healthier place. When Planet Earth starts getting sick, Mother Nature challenges us to not be so wasteful and to think about the consequences of our actions. Think globally and act locally!

A Classic Tale:

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

I remember watching the film of this story as an elementary kid on rainy days. I still recall the emotional impact of this story on me when I was seven or eight years old. Whenever I read this story to my daughters, they get so quiet. It is a poignant, beautiful story about how nature keeps giving to us and I enjoy passing it down to the next generation.

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Weekend Warrior: Earth Day Edition and a Chance to Win $5,000!

by Susan Choi

April 16, 2009

Earth Day is April 21st. One thing I love about this city is how green it is, and I am not talking about our giant palm trees and perfectly manicured lawns. Did you know that we have one of the lowest rates of daily water use per person in the country? The city also provides recycling bins for its residents, and I believe environmental awareness in our community is generally greater than in many other communities. Way to go! I wanted to highlight local programs that are celebrating Earth Day this weekend. It is supposed to be warm and wonderful this weekend, so go out, enjoy, and honor our planet!

On Saturday and Sunday, the Los Angeles Zoo is hosting its annual Earth Day Expo. From 10 am to 5 pm, the zoo will highlight special California wildlife, such as harbor seals and California condors, as well as have special activities such as recycled materials art.

Kidspace Museum in Pasadena is hosting two cool events this weekend. On Saturday, witness the release of hundreds of butterflies at 2 pm. There will be games and activities preceding the 13th annual butterfly release. On Sunday at 11 am, 1 pm and 2 pm, kids can learn how to create organic tie-dye and see the difference between natural and artificial colors while dying a bandanna. $5 per child. Register in advance by clicking on this link.
 
Celebrate Earth Day with Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro on Saturday from 8 am to 5 pm. Begin with a volunteer beach cleanup and then head back to the aquarium to take part in environmental activities and create projects you can take home. Information booths of local environmental organizations will distribute helpful information and materials.

Want to support a different but equally important cause? Check out The Wonder of Reading's Explore-A-Story: Celebration of Books on Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm at the Hollywood ArcLight Cinemas. This event features celebrity readers: Shia LaBeouf, Jesse McCartney, Jane Kaczmarek, Madison Pettis and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. There will also be readings and book signings by authors, a California Pizza Kitchen lunch, and a goody bag to take home with DVDs. There will be crafts and music performances as well. $75 per person or $200 for a family of four (partially tax deductable).

Finally, want to win $5,000 and free paint? Then enter a contest called My House Stinks. Submit a picture and description of your stinky room. The contest is sponsored by Dutch Boy that just released a new line of paints called Refresh. It is specially formulated to help fight common household smells like pet odors and is GreenGuard and Green Cert certified for its zero VOC.
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Inauguration Day: Yes You Can Enjoy this Day with your child

by Susan Choi

January 20, 2009

This past election, my older daughter was asking a lot of questions. I won't tell you whom she would have voted for if she was old enough, but it is funny to me that she had a firm opinion about the up-for-grabs presidency post. With the inauguration underway today, this past Sunday's NBC Dateline special on Michelle Obama caught my daughter's attention, and my husband was forced to forego  Read more...

Peace though the Eyes of a Child

by Susan Choi

January 15, 2009

On Sunday from 2-4pm, the Zimmer Children's Museum is hosting a family program called "Peace through the Eyes of Children." Children can help make the annual Martin Luther King Jr. mural for the museum. I love the idea of a diverse group of children from around the LA area coming together and painting this massive piece of art to symbolize the world of which Martin Luther  Read more...

'Tis More Blessed to Give than to Receive: Helping your Children Help Other Children

by Susan Choi

January 12, 2009

I am a big, crying sucker. I admit it. I love to catch the last ten minutes of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and just start bawling when I see the deserving family being given the home of their dreams. Volunteering and working with charitable organizations has always been something important to me. As my kids get older, I want them to understand how much we have been given, and how  Read more...

New Books for the New Year and how to get them cheaper

by Susan Choi

January 06, 2009

Though I am always sad to hear about a bookstore closing, I thought I would pass along the information to you. The Borders on Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica is closing on 1/10/09. Forty percent off (almost) all items in the store. While you are there, look for the following books which are appropriately themed for the new year. A New Beginning by Wendy Pfeffer .  Read more...

Party (at home, away from the rain) like it's 2009! - 5 Board Games Sure to Please Preschoolers

by Nina Moon

January 02, 2009

Like Susan, my husband and I are Korean American and we spent the new year seeped in Korean tradition - bowing to our family elders (and taking video of our three-year-old doing likewise), watching old men play baduk (or "go") and eating copious amounts of ddukguk . Susan and I hope your new years day was filled with happiness and that this year brings your family only joy, peace and prosperity.  Read more...

Looking back at 2008

by Susan Choi

December 30, 2008

What an amazing year it has been at Savvy Source West LA! The site officially launched in May with Nina Moon and she filled the treasure troves with tons of toddler-friendly times. Savvy source West LA has advice on what to do with your kiddies during sunny days , rainy days , weekend days , and special days . Interested in art ? music ? books ? No problem. We've got it covered. Want  Read more...

Picture Book Classics - Old and New

by Nina Moon

November 06, 2008

Just because a book is old doesn't make it a classic and just because a book is new doesn't mean it's not a classic either. The test of time just takes too long in the brief interim of childhood. So here are a few of our family's classics, both old and new. Now that winter's here, my son and I have been re-reading The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats with Peter's bright red snowsuit and  Read more...

Five Tips for Trick-or-treating with preschoolers

by Nina Moon

October 28, 2008

This being Los Angeles, the land of make-believe, there are no dearth of scarily decked-out haunted houses, skeletons dangling in foliage and realistic bloody corpses. Color me overprotective, but this isn't my idea of an ideal Halloween for a preschooler. I'm also not one for crowds and the idea of waiting in long lines to knock on doors when I'd consider ourselves lucky to even knock on 10  Read more...

5 Places to Spark Your Preschooler's Imagination

by Nina Moon

October 14, 2008

If summer means ample opportunities to explore the world outside, the coming of fall - yes, even in Los Angeles - ushers in a cornucopia, if you will, of the arts and crafts. What it's too cold to play outside, what better than to experiment with paint and clay or curl up in a comfy corner and read a beautifully illusrated picture book? Or even write one? Here are five Los Angeles locations that  Read more...

Noah's Ark at the Skirball Cultural Center

by Nina Moon

September 15, 2008

Noah's Ark at the Skirball Cultural Museum, nestled just off the 405 freeway north of the Getty Museum, is a whimsical, imaginative, non-stop fun destination for young children. Maybe because I'm so desperate for a children's museum here in Los Angeles (because the old one has moved far, far away - or at least too far to visit before naptime) the entire two hours I was there I couldn't stop  Read more...

5 perfect preschool playdates

by Nina Moon

September 09, 2008

Preschool may make it a tad bit easier to set up playdates (no more desperately hoping that another lonely parent will send a friendly smile your way), but there always remains that question - where to go? Here are five perfect places for your kids to play and for grown-ups to bond. Play - I love that Play is set up to facilitate both playdates and one-on-one bonding between parent and child.  Read more...

Library Card Sign-Up Month - The most crucial back-to-school item of all

by Nina Moon

September 08, 2008

In addition to marking the traditional start of school, September is Library Card Sign-Up Month. So whether you're new to Los Angeles or you've lived here for years but just haven't made it out to your local branch yet, now is the time to get yourself a library card (or key card!). Your preschooler can also get his very own library card (you just know how much they'll love that ), but know that  Read more...

Play - A place both kids and their parents will love

by Nina Moon

September 01, 2008

Indoor play spaces and I have a complicated relationship. I appreciate the idea of a contained, stimulating area for my son to play in, but it's not worth it to me to pay a lot of money for entry when I could simply take my son to the park for free. And yet, again and again, I shell out to spend a couple of hours at one of these places because maybe, just maybe, this one might be the one. The  Read more...

Scribble Press - for the pint sized author/illustrator

by Nina Moon

August 25, 2008

A couple of weeks ago my son and I visited Scribble Press, an entirely new kind of publishing powerhouse. Located in Westside Pavilion, Scribble Press aims to make authors and illustrators out of us all, particularly our little ones. Armed with Developmental Curprints fill-in-the-blank type stories that help children process difficult events and transitions or memorialize everything from  Read more...

Aquariums in Los Angeles -- Here Fishy, Fishy, Fishy

by Nina Moon

August 19, 2008

For so long practically everything that moved underwater was a fish to our son. Whale? Fish. Shark? Fish. Dolphin? Fish. Sea otter? Fish. Now, finally, he's starting to differentiate to the point that if we happen to leave off the puffer in pufferfish we are promptly corrected: No, NO! Puffahfish! Puffahfish! It's probably the perfect time to visit an aquarium, no? Nice that we happen to live  Read more...

Weekend Warriors -- Fines, Fire Trucks and Festivals

by Nina Moon

August 15, 2008

All of us, I'm sure, have had an overdue library book here or there. But what about those embarrassingly overdue books? Several months, even years, overdue? It's almost easier to just stop going to the library under the weight of that fine, right? Instead, you take advantage of the Los Angeles Public Library's Fine Free Week , which ends this Sunday. And it's still not too late to take  Read more...

Children's Book World -- Why I want to live there

by Nina Moon

August 07, 2008

No, really. I want to live in this bookshop, lie down on the carpet and inhale that musty new book smell in my sleep. Children's Book World , located on Pico Boulevard just a hop, skip and jump away from Westside Pavilion, is unassuming enough. In fact, I passed by it probably 100 times before even noticing it was there. No matter, I've found it now. After parking in the back lot (there's  Read more...

Green Parenting - Simple Steps to Raising Environmentally Aware Children

by Nina Moon

July 31, 2008

Today we welcome guest poster Jennifer Taggart, who runs the website TheSmartMama and provides eco consulting services to reduce toxic chemicals in the home, including testing toys and household goods for lead, cadmium, chromium and other elements using an XRF analyzer. She is an environmental attorney focusing on consumer product labeling, former environmental engineer, mom of 2 and  Read more...

Weekend Warriors - Sandcastle edition

by Nina Moon

July 25, 2008

There's nothing quite so quintessentially summer as building sandcastles at the beach. This Saturday from 10am-2pm, The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro will host a Sizzlin' Summer Sandcastle Day. BYO shovel, bucket and imagination, claim a spot on the sand and build castles, tunnels and moats galore. But what happens when you mix slime and sand? Slime-lovers are in luck this weekend as  Read more...

Kids Going Green - Eden's Green Closet

by Nina Moon

July 23, 2008

From creating a separate recycling bin to eating locally grown foods to (gasp!) using public transportation, everyone seems to be going green nowadays. I'll be honest though, the importance of caring for the environment never really hit home for me until I had children. And even then, one area of waste I never considered was my kid's clothing. Until, that is, I happened upon Eden's Green  Read more...

Weekend Warriors - Disco anyone?

by Nina Moon

July 18, 2008

This is a weekend where you're not going to want to stay at home. With everything from disco for babies to circus performances to those uber-celebrities of the preschool set (I'm talking about Diego and Dora, don't you know) coming to town, you're preschooler is bound to have fun. On Saturday morning at 11, head down to Topanga Canyon's Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum for Creative Playground 's  Read more...

Summer Read Alouds

by Nina Moon

July 15, 2008

My husband and I are always on the look-out for new picture books. We have many of the classics, but there are so many talented writers and illustrators out there that many of the newer books have become just as beloved as the tried-and-true classics, if not more so. Here are a few of my son's current favorites, full of the excitement, adventure and anticipation of summer: The OK Book My  Read more...

Weekend Warriors

by Nina Moon

July 11, 2008

It's been a long week, hasn't it? I'm really feeling the whole TJIF sentiment today. Even better, this weekend my family will be heading down to my parents' home in the South Bay (free babysitting! Woohoo!). In that vein, we'll start the edition of Weekend Warriors in Redondo Beach, right smack in the heart of the South Bay. On Saturday, why not drive down Redondo Beach? You can spend the day  Read more...

Weekend Warriors: Summer Solstice Edition

by Nina Moon

June 20, 2008

Today is officially the longest day of the year. Even better, LAUSD closed its magnificent doors on our children yesterday and today is the official first day of summer. That means that this weekend is going to be a very, very long weekend, which is a good thing right!?! But what are you going to do with all that extra time? This Saturday from 1-3pm, kick off the summer by celebrating the  Read more...

Goodnight Moon Again? - Summer Reading

by Nina Moon

June 09, 2008

Summer for my family doesn't yet bring about the delight (for the kids) and the trepidation (for the parents) that it does in families with school-aged children. For those of you whose kids are just being let loose for the summer, you may be trying to think of ways to bridge the learning void till fall. Both the Los Angeles County Public Library and the Los Angeles Public Library (confusing,  Read more...

Budding Art Critic -- Boone Children's Gallery at the LACMA

by Nina Moon

June 02, 2008

LACMA is enormous, overwhelming even. Where do you start with a preschooler? Why, Boone Children's Gallery of course! There really isn't much not to love here. The gallery is really more like a gigantic warehouse separated into different art and activity stations by towering shelving units displaying children's artwork. The room's theme, construct, carries throughout each station children can  Read more...

5 Things To Do in Los Angeles on a Rainy Day

by Nina Moon

May 27, 2008

I know I'm not the only one that often finds myself wringing my hands on the rare rainy day around here. In Los Angeles, even rainy-day stand-bys like the mall are park-like ventures complete with farmer's markets (think: the Grove). So what is there to do in LA on a rainy day? Turns out, plenty. 1. California Science Center With special exhibits geared towards children under 7, the California  Read more...

5 Book Nooks for Tots

by Nina Moon

May 22, 2008

Some parents want to pass on to their children a love of music. Others long for their children to appreciate art. Others hope their children will love to cook. For me, it's literature. I want my children to delve enthusiastically into an afternoon spent reading, to get lost in an imaginary world (even to mourn a bit when it's over on the last page), to relish the smell of a new book. So  Read more...