La Pintoresca (which means, “the picturesque” in Spanish) library is one of the most beautiful structures in Northwest Pasadena. It was built in 1930 and was named for the hotel which previously occupied the site.Outside was such a beautiful setting–the trees’ falling leaves and the crispiness of the air. It provided the perfect backdrop for the rug coziness for storytime. Children from ages 1 to … Continue reading Celebrating a New Year
Our November Chocolate Storytime guest reader was Staci Mitchell, a native Pasadenian and former member of the John Muir High School 1989 All Star Track and Field Championship team. Staci currently lives in Altadena with her husband and 3 children, volunteers extensively in the community and is the Vice Chair of the San Rafael African American Parent Council (AAPC) and a team mom of the … Continue reading November Guest Reader – Staci Mitchell
Our special guest for October 2014 was volunteer and community advocate, Ms. Betty J. Ford, lovingly referred to as “The Rosa Parks of Pasadena.” Ms. Ford read the book, “I Love My Hair.” She also coordinated a poetry presentation with Alicia Leilani who dressed up as a Hawaiian princess. Ms. Ford was born in Omaho, Nebraska and attended elementary school in Corpos Christi, Texas. A child prodigy, she … Continue reading October Guest Reader – Ms. Betty J. Ford
For the month of September, we had special guest reader, Ms. Pearline Johonson, a resident of Pasadena for 53 years. Ms. Johnson worked at Jet Propulsion Laboratory as a resource manager, and is now retired. Even before her retirement, Ms. Johnson has had a passion for journeying beyond the San Gabriel mountains to different parts of the world. She has traveled to Greece, Paris, Puerto … Continue reading September Guest Reader – Pearline Johnson
Gearing up for Fall We kicked off the new school year with our very first guest Chocolate Storytime Reader, David Lindsey. David is a an alumnus from Howard University in Washington DC. He received a Bachelor’s degree of Architecture in 1972 and is a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving 4 years in the Civil Engineering sector. David currently works as a woodworker, … Continue reading Back to School Chocolate Storytime
Great news! Chocolate Storytime will have guest readers from the Black History Celebration Planning Committee housed in the Jackie Robinson Center starting in September. The Jackie Robinson Center is a multi-purpose social service delivery center that provides assistance to the culturally, economically, and socially diverse population of the northwest area of Pasadena. The 1974 dedication of this 17,800 square feet facility is of significant importance … Continue reading Guest Readers from Jackie Robinson Center
Come on, Rain! Urging mother nature for drought relief, we read a beautifully illustrated book, “Come On, Rain!” by Newbery Medalist Karen Hesse. The writing vividly describes an exasperating rainless summer that finally ends with a burst of liquid sunshine. Presented with an early draft of “Come On, Rain!”, Hesse’s writers group insisted that she elaborate on why her characters, Tessie and Momma, wanted rain … Continue reading Chocolate Storytime July 2014
Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Freedom Summer What a great audience we had for June’s Chocolate Storytime! Along with our regular guests, the afternoon was filled with nearly fifty attentive Lions (ages 5-6) and Tigers (ages 7-8) from the City of Pasadena’s summer La Pintoresca Neighborhood Park Camp. Thanks to Camp Facilitator Mr. Tyanta “Tigger” Snow who included the library’s storytime as part of their … Continue reading Chocolate Storytime June 2014
Honoring Dr. Maya Angelou at the May Chocolate Storytime At the May 2014 Chocolate Storytime at La Pintoresca Branch Library, we began our afternoon reading about the life of author and poet, Maya Angelou (pronounced “an-je-low”), who passed away May 28, 2014. Our featured picture book was “Life Doesn’t Frighten Me at All,” named after a poem by the same name, authored by Maya Angelou. … Continue reading Chocolate Storytime May 2014
For our April Chocolate Storytime, we celebrated National Poetry Month with literature from Nikki Giovanni and Carole Boston Weatherford. Thanks to La Pintoresca’s branch manager, Ms. Pat Smith, we also had a colorful assortment of paper fortune cookies that each contained a sweet, short poem. The children, teens, and adults delighted in choosing their cookie from the beautifully decorated box, opening the cookie, and then … Continue reading Chocolate Storytime Features Classical Piano and Poetry April 2014
Chocolate Storytime 