Porter Ranch Small Group Storytime, Nov. 11

The Porter Ranch Branch Library has Small Group Storytime on the calendar again for Wednesday, November 11. By now it's a fall habit at this branch: a few picture books, a song or two, and a circle small enough that the reader can learn every kid's name. For parents looking for things to do with kids LA can offer on a plain weekday, it's an easy one to pencil in.

We found this session on the L.A. Parent events calendar. Porter Ranch sits in the far northwest corner of the San Fernando Valley, tucked up against the Santa Susana foothills, and its library branch is part of the Los Angeles Public Library system.

One Date Worth Double-Checking

November 11 is Veterans Day. A lot of public offices close for it, and city libraries often do too. The listing still shows the session, but we'd call the branch or check the L.A. Parent listing a day or two ahead before loading the car. If the branch does close, there's a good chance the storytime just moves to another Wednesday.

What a Small Group Feels Like

A packed storytime can be chaos. Thirty toddlers, one rug, and a librarian reading over the noise. A smaller circle changes the pace. The reader can pause on a page and ask who found the dog hiding under the table, then wait for the shyest kid to point. Children who've never done a group activity usually settle in faster here.

Families who've been coming since September will notice their kids know the routine by November. They clap along to the opening song. They sit through one more book than they did in the first week.

The branch hasn't posted a book list. Early November sometimes means books about falling leaves, turkeys or getting cozy, but that's a guess, not a promise.

Before You Go

The listing gives the date and the branch. It doesn't give a start time, an age range, a price or any registration info. Most library storytimes are free, but we couldn't confirm that here, so don't count on it until you've checked. Small groups fill up, so showing up early helps.

A few tips:

• Bring your library card. The picture book shelves are right there after.
• Keep snacks in the bag until the last song.
• Sit near the edge if your toddler likes to roam. No one minds.

Getting There

Most families drive in, and the lot gets busy when a kids' program is on. Leave a few extra minutes. Coming by bus? Look up the branch on the LAPL website and map a Metro route from your stop.

More Ideas

Our family events page keeps a running list of puppet shows, museum days and weekend festivals, so it's a handy spot for family events Los Angeles parents can plan a week around. The Los Angeles page covers the rest of the city. And if Wednesdays don't fit your schedule, keep an eye on the library's own calendar, because this storytime has run on Wednesdays all fall.