San Diego Mom - Carmel Valley/Del Mar

The Barnes and Noble stores nearby are small and while they offer some children’s programming, the space makes it less desirable if you have toddlers.  I’ve been to the store off Carmel Mountain road - this isn’t too far - right off the 15 exit from the 56. 

http://storelocator.barnesandnoble.com/storedetail.do;jsessionid=48F639D8752CDDFA25E76607B8E13D48.worker2?store=1976 

The space is larger, and their story time is nice often times complete with cookies for the kids afterwards. Its worth the drive as you can meet friends there and enjoy the visit.

The JCC offers a fun book club for babies several times a month.  I’ve not attended these personally, but I have a lot of friends who do go and they love it.  http://www.lfjcc.org/shalombaby/

From their web site, "This one hour bi-weekly program which takes place in the JCC’s Astor Judaica Library includes group storytelling, flannel board stories, art projects, and music."

I’m told since the babies (6 mos-36 mos) are young the art projects are often really just the moms doing the projects, but otherwise that this program is first rate. 

Moms read 3 stories in Hebrew each week. (You don’t need to know Hebrew, but need to know we will be speaking in Hebrew.) Books are for pre-school age, 10-12 pages. 

Meets in Carmel Valley the 2nd and 4th Wednesday each month at 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm.  Descriptions of the books are e-mailed so English speakers can prepare their children.  English speakers can expect to pick up a few Hebrew words each time.  Books will be read again in subsequent meetings for repetition. 

Includes songs and a coloring/sticker project as well.  Use the link to join the Yahoo group for meeting times and reminders of the books.

Join the group for reminders, etc. at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/saprili/

The Carmel Valley Library is located on Townsgate drive on the same street as the Recreation Center.  The library runs several story times for children during the week.  There is a terrific children’s librarian on staff. 

You can access the catalog online and even reserve books for $1 if you need to.  You must have a card first to reserve online. Link to the catalog is here: http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/

The library also lends videos, DVDs, etc. There is a decent selection.  You can also use the online catalog and site to see if a title is available in another library in San Diego and to ask that they send it to the Carmel Valley location.