Store of Knowledge

Jody Fickes Shapiro, whose passion for children’s literature is reflected in every nook and cranny of her Adventures for Kids bookstore in Ventura, has been serving the community since 1979.

Adventures, honored nationally for content, activities and design, attracts teachers from as far away as Simi Valley and Santa Barbara who bring their students to popular storytelling and author-signing events. Some adult fiction, music CDs and a carefully chosen line of toys are now available at the store, 3457 Telegraph Road.

Adventures hosts nine authors this week. Leslie Tryon signs “Albert’s Christmas” today at 10 a.m. Shirley Climo presents “A Treasury of Mermaids” at 10 a.m. Friday. And Local Author Day begins at 10 a.m. Saturday featuring Francess Lantz, Wendelin Van Draanen, Judith Harlan, Catherine Cowan, Kris George, Nancy Smiler Levinson and Sandra Liatsos.

*

Barbara Alpert signs her new book, “The Love of Friends,” at 7 p.m. Friday at Barnes & Noble in Ventura. Bring a friend and receive a special gift. And for trivia buffs and fans of fascinating facts, Charles Hillinger will present “Hillinger’s California, Stories From All 58 Counties” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The store is at 4360 E. Main St.

*

Cartoonist Kevin Fagan will demonstrate his drawing techniques and sign “Son of Drabble” at 8 p.m. Friday at Barnes & Noble, 160 S. Westlake Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

*

Comedian-actor Larry Brantley, the voice of Wishbone the Dog in the Emmy award-winning television series, will be interviewed Sunday at 10 a.m. on KCLU’s “Beyond Words” at Borders Books, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Famed horse trainer Monty Roberts, author of “The Man Who Listens to Horses,” will appear at 11 a.m. At noon, following the broadcast, Brantley will perform interactive skits for children based on the “Adventures of Wishbone” book series, and Roberts will sign his book.

*

Copyright lawyer and book reviewer Jonathan Kirsch will discuss and sign his book about forbidden Bible tales, “The Harlot by the Side of the Road,” at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Thousand Oaks Borders.

*

Jane Austen, author of only six novels, was born 222 years ago this month. The extraordinary interest in those novels is evidenced by new editions and lavishly produced films of “Pride and Prejudice,” “Sense and Sensibility,” “Persuasion” and “Emma.” The local chapter of the worldwide Jane Austen Society will host its annual luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 13 at Pierpont Inn, 550 Sanjon Road, Ventura. Reservations must be made by Saturday. Cost is $20. Call Vee Rolfe at (805) 658-2910 for details.

*

And, finally, we report with deep sorrow the death of Paul Lazarus on Nov. 28. Lazarus touched and changed the lives of thousands (yes, thousands) of writers as teacher-mentor-raconteur-organizer. The many organizations and events in which he was involved included the Santa Barbara Writers Conference, the CALM Literary Lunch, screenwriting classes at UCSB, Reading for the Blind, Elderhostel and the Santa Barbara Film Festival. He was 82 and his great heart finally gave out. Thank you, Paul, for a life well lived and shared.

In Santa Barbara: Actor Karl Malden will talk about his career and sign “When Do I Start?” at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Earthling Bookshop, 1137 State St.

* Frances Halpern and Jon O’Brien are co-hosts of “Beyond Words” at 10 a.m. Sundays on KCLU-FM (88.3), Ventura County’s National Public Radio station.