Books

Suzie Harrison Oh no, it seems that aliens have landed on Earth and are trying to eat library books. This concept is quite peculiar, except to fifth-graders in Rosy Haynes' Top of the World Elementary School class who watched students perform the play "The Book That Saved the Earth." Haynes explained that the play was a multidisciplinary activity provided by their language arts "Open Court" series. "It goes across the board," Haynes said. "It is science, drama and language arts, and we're teaching across the grade levels -- fifth-graders performing for the second-graders."

Local library patrons may go into withdrawal starting Aug. 17, when Laguna’s branch closes its doors for at least three months. The branch will be getting its long overdue overhaul. Unfortunately the library cannot stay open while the work is underway. “It’s a huge, huge undertaking,” said Martha Lydick , perennial president of the Friends of the Laguna beach Library. But don’t panic. The Friends bookstore will be open except for about 2 ½ weeks, with the dates to be announced, Lydick said.

With his wacky rhymes and silly illustrations, Theodor Seuss Geisel ? better known as ?Dr. Seuss? ? introduced an innovative and creative way to engage children in reading and learning. To commemorate the legendary children?s author and illustrator, Top of the World Elementary celebrated Read Across America on March 5. The a PTA-sponsored event, started by the National Education Assn., is observed on or around Dr. Seuss? birthday, March 2, to get youngsters excited about reading.

Internationally known storyteller Theodore "Ted" Taylor died Oct. 26 at his Woods Cove home. He was 85. Taylor's three children, his wife and her daughter were at his bedside. "He was at home in his own bedroom, which he wanted to be his final stopping place," said Flora Taylor, his wife of 25 years. "The room was just bursting with love. You could feel it." Taylor died five years after his first heart surgery. A celebration of his life will be held in January, most likely at the Canyon Lodge at Ben Brown's Golf Course Resort, where he and his wife often played golf, daughter Wendy Carroll said.

While many adults think back fondly to their bedtime stories as a child, Laguna Beach resident Dennis Yang knows firsthand that the experience is far from universal. Hoping to change that, last year he ran across the country to promote literacy and physical activity. "The Great Reading Run" started in Long Beach on Feb. 10 and ended in Coney Island, N.Y., on July 26. Yang, 37, is the author of four children's books and founder of the Papa Didos Ideals Foundation. On Wednesday, Yang read at the Boys & Girls Club in Laguna Beach.

Suzie Harrison The most valuable characteristic of volunteer Judie Lomax at the Friends of the Library bookstore is her willingness to give her time and her passion for books. "I've volunteered here for 8 years," Lomax said, adding that it was the Orange County bankruptcy that encouraged her to give her time. "The library budget comes from the county and it was cut," she said. All the funds from the bookstore go to support the library with whatever is needed, including computers, copiers and books.

The Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot went to the Laguna Beach Public Library, and asked the kids engaged in a story and arts and crafts activity, on Wednesday morning, the question, 'Who is your favorite story book character?' "All the Amelia Bedilia story books and Einstein Anderson too." DANIEL RING, 5 "Cats and princesses -- I love all the characters in the world and I like to read all the books in the world." LAUREN RING, 4 "Max and Ruby, they are brother and sister little rabbits."

The Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot went to the library and talked to children who were about to participate in the library's Story Time, asking them the question, 'What do you like about the library, do you have a favorite book and what do you like about Story Time?' "I like books like Miss Spider and I like Story Time." MILA KELLAM, 3 "The Little Mermaid video and fireman books." KYLE SHAW "I like the arts and crafts at Story Time." ABY JAEGER, 4 "I like Story Time because it's fun. I like watching the stories, I like Jungle Book."

Frazier to read at LAT Festival of Books Coastline Pilot City Editor Cindy Frazier will read a sample of her writing during the Saturday morning portion of the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at USC. In an email to colleagues this week, Frazier announced that she has been invited to take part in "Dimestories," a three-minute prose reading event, scheduled for 11 a.m. at the festival's Etc. Stage. "The piece, 'Bleeding Hearts,' was voted number one of all the pieces presented during the run up to the festival, so I'm pretty stoked about it," she said in her email.

HOW I READ IT Well, here we go again -- the anticipation, fun, fear, depression, anxiety, love, anger, joy, plus every other human emotion we've inherited since our ancestors became fully upright and walking hominids. No, I'm not talking about having a baby; it's experiencing all these emotions that make the holiday season a very special time of year and create so many lifetime memories. And the library can enhance this season's celebrations in many ways.

When Laguna Beach resident Sam Dawson turned 60, celebrating was the furthest thing from her mind. "It was like the end of the world and I didn't do anything about it," Dawson said. "In my 40s and 50s I was having a great time. I used to act and loved being in the limelight. " After Dawson's second husband, Bill Dawson, died of cancer in 1996, certain signs of aging crept in, such as wrinkles around the ankles. In search of wisdom and a desire to regain vitality, Dawson, now 73, embarked on an adventure.

Jane Hanauer wants to make one thing clear: She does not detest Barnes & Noble. The owner of Laguna Beach Books operates one of the few surviving independent bookstores in Orange County - a region that, unlike Seattle or San Francisco, doesn't offer many non-chain alternatives. Anyone who appreciates booksellers with a quirky personal touch can probably check off the ones that have vanished in recent years: Latitude 33 Bookshop in Laguna, the Green Door in San Juan Capistrano, and so on. Hanauer, though, has no qualms about referring people to the retail giant if they're seeking a book she doesn't carry.

The Laguna Beach Unified School District School Readiness Program, the Children and Families Commission of Orange County's and the Think Together Early Literacy Program are collecting gently used books as part of the Bee A Luv Book Drive from Feb. 1 to 14. The goal of the book drive is to encourage preschool children to read. It's the third year the book drive has been conducted. "Reading out loud helps a child get a good start at learning. It is the most important way for a child to learn the skills he or she needs for reading and writing," said facilitator Julie Olsen in a statement.

Laguna Beach Friends of the Library Assn. officials have been up in arms about the terms of a licensing agreement dictated by the Orange County Public Library. The library support group rebelled against terms they said originally stipulated that all money raised by the Friends for the local branch had to be turned over to the county system. A Dec. 12 letter warned that they would be ousted at the end of January from the book store the group has operated for more than two decades if the agreement was not signed by Dec. 31. Association officials have asked Orange County Fifth District Supervisor Pat Bates to intervene, according to Martha Lydick, longtime president of the local Friends organization.

Local middle school teachers have been getting together for a monthly book club, but they leave the romance novels at home. Instead, the staff focus on improving student learning. Thurston Middle School science teacher Ina Inouye Wu started a Staff Book Club two years ago as a professional development opportunity and the club has been meeting monthly to discuss a research-based book and share instructional methods and creative classroom strategies. "Our amazing staff continues to discover new ways to collaborate and share ideas," said Principal Jenny Salberg in a statement.

Laguna Beach Books' series of talks by local authors will continue Sept. 9 with Maggie Anton, author of the acclaimed "Rashi's Daughters" trilogy. "The talks are a way to promote local authors," said bookstore owner Jane Hanauer. "It is hard for non-nationally known authors to get into independent bookstores, and it is a big help to them. " Anton's latest book, "Rav Hisda's Daughter, Book I: Apprentice," will go on sale Friday. It is the start of a new trilogy, described by Anton as "a novel of love, the Talmud and sorcery.

“Savages,” the Oliver Stone film based on Don Winslow's novel set in Laguna Beach, hits theaters in July. But readers who want more of the story about Ben, Chon and O, the  “three dope-dealing Laguna Beach hipsters” are in luck - Winslow's prequel to “Savages,” called “ The Kings of Cool ,” will be released Tuesday. The New York Times reviewed the novel. Here's an excerpt: “'The Kings of Cool' would be a slender book if it merely laid the groundwork for the most explosive parts of 'Savages.' But Mr. Winslow tantalizingly divides his story between two generations: the original main characters, and the 1960s hippies who spawned them.

Before the sun could even peek above the hills to the east, fog caressed the verdant green as a rooster crowed and goats bleated in the early morning air. The weekend was upon us. I knew my days would be filled with teaching a two-day, mixed-media workshop in my studio, but what else might the hours bring? Whatever might come, it was unlikely that it would ruffle the calm of these retreat-like days that were always filled with the laughter and easy camaraderie of a group of creative, fun women — strong women, all. Rain or shine, come hell or high water, I will survive.

Frazier to read at LAT Festival of Books Coastline Pilot City Editor Cindy Frazier will read a sample of her writing during the Saturday morning portion of the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at USC. In an email to colleagues this week, Frazier announced that she has been invited to take part in "Dimestories," a three-minute prose reading event, scheduled for 11 a.m. at the festival's Etc. Stage. "The piece, 'Bleeding Hearts,' was voted number one of all the pieces presented during the run up to the festival, so I'm pretty stoked about it," she said in her email.

While many adults think back fondly to their bedtime stories as a child, Laguna Beach resident Dennis Yang knows firsthand that the experience is far from universal. Hoping to change that, last year he ran across the country to promote literacy and physical activity. "The Great Reading Run" started in Long Beach on Feb. 10 and ended in Coney Island, N.Y., on July 26. Yang, 37, is the author of four children's books and founder of the Papa Didos Ideals Foundation. On Wednesday, Yang read at the Boys & Girls Club in Laguna Beach.