Angeles Mesa Branch Library, Branch #26 of LAPL. is in a South Los Angeles neighborhood called View Park near The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, Inglewood Oil Field, and Eso Won Bookstore. It is a beautiful building built in the 1920’s – and it felt cozy and welcoming inside.
I was amazed at the gorgeous murals on the walls, and intrigued by the books out on display.
We picked out books right away.
After browsing some books, Riley wanted to color, because she saw other people coloring. . . and it has been a favorite activity lately at home.
We did not stay long because a certain someone, a toddler pictured here, ahem, Riley, is enjoying saying no to many things now that she is able to say the word ‘no’.
We got Owl Bat Bat Owl by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick, a very sweet wordless book about an owl family and a bat family meeting on a tree branch.
Brick by Brick by Charles R. Smith Jr., illustrated by Floyd Cooper was the story of slaves building the White House. (A subtle reminder that Martin Luther King Jr. Day is coming up on Monday, January 15th, where we celebrate King’s enormous role in the Civil Rights Movement.)
Where is Bear? by Jonathan Bentley was a story of looking for your favorite bear before bed. A great book for preposition practice. . .
A Place To Read by Leigh Hodgkinson was about finding a place to read your book.
Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus, illustrated by Kadir Nelson was full of American images and simple words to explain them.
No Monkeys, No Chocolate by Melissa Stewart and Allen Young, illustrated by Nicole Wong was a long, informative read on the process of how chocolate is grown. I learned some new things!
There are some great events happening at the Angeles Mesa Branch – including making Dinosaurs and Dragons on January 16, 2018!
We are lucky in Los Angeles to have such beautiful weather in January. . . to play and to read outside in the sunshine. (Except the day I’m actually writing this post, a few days after we visited #26, it’s raining for the first time in 2018. It’s also my mother’s birthday!)
And remember, you can return books or any materials you’ve checked out from any branch – to any branch! LAPL makes it easy to check out and check in materials so all you have to do, is just enjoy them: Items checked out from any Los Angeles Public Library may be returned to any of its 72 branches or to the Central Library.
I truly love this idea ! One of my favorite memories as a child was walking out of the public library ( the one by the Van Nuys courthouse !) with my arms full of books . I am glad that you are sharing your love of books with your daughter and everyone who reads this blog. Our libraries are true treasures .Thank you !
Teacher Laurie
Rinaldi Mommy and Me
Thank you! My first books were from the Van Nuys Branch Library too. . . Here’s to inspiring a whole new generation of book lovers. (And thank you for teaching my daughter fun things in your class! Her paintings are on the fridge).