Books and Cookies LA

12/10/2025

We're in full holiday swing!

Always a joyful morning to gather at Ivy Station and get into the holiday spirit with books! We sang Hanukkah songs and Christmas carols with egg shakers and instruments, freeze danced and made snowballs with scarves! Then, we decorated with holiday stickers and played on the parachute.

Books shared:
Joyful Book by Todd Parr
Jingle Jingle by Nicola Smee
Happy Llamakkah! by Dr. Laura Gehl
Moo, Baa, La La La! by Sandra Boynton

Last Story Time before the holiday break is next week 12/16.

Holiday cheer on the Santa Monica Pier is Thursday! Join us at at 3:30 PM and 4:30 PM at Patio 66 at Pacific Park (right across from Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf).

12/03/2025

Feeling those winter vibes!!! ❄️⛄️🛷

A beautiful sunny day to gather at Ivy Station and share books about the snow! We sang wintery songs with egg shakers and instruments, freeze danced and made snowballs with scarves! Then, we made snowmen with clay and jumped on the parachute.

Books shared:
Penguin and Pinecone- A friendship story by Salina Yoon
Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Peep and Ducky It's Snowing! by David Martin

Holiday cheer on the Santa Monica Pier starts this Thursday! Join us at at 3:30 PM and 4:30 PM at Patio 66 at Pacific Park (right across from Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf). You can also find us this Sunday at 11 AM at The Westwood Village .

12/02/2025

Happy December! Feeling those cooler, wintry vibes ☃️❄️🎄

Join us today / Tuesday at 10am at Ivy Station for and ! Don't forget to bundle up! It's definitely a bit cool in the morning!

Holiday cheer on the pier is back at Santa Monica Pier! 🎠Join us for Music Story Time every Thursday (December 4, 11, and 18) at 3:30 PM and 4:30 PM!

This Friday, we are back The Preschool at Mishkon baby – and – me Fridays at 9 AM for Music Story Time.

Each week, one community partner will lead a fun activity, like music, sensory art, and more. Register for one class or all of them! Learn more and sign up through the link:
https://www.mishkon.org/baby-fridays

And is here this at 11 AM with musical Story Time, movement and crafts at The Westwood Village !

11/20/2025

Sadly, locals night is CANCELLED at Santa Monica Pier tomorrow due to excessive rain predicted, but don't fret!

Books and Cookies is back in December EVERY Thursday for HOLIDAY CHEER ON THE PIER! Story Time at 3:30 PM and 4:30 PM! Join us!!!

11/17/2025

I'm watching you, rainy clouds 🌧️☔️

If it is not actively raining, bundle up and join us outside tomorrow / Tuesday at 10am at Ivy Station for and ! Don't forget a waterproof blanket in case the grass is still a bit wet!

November locals night this Thursday At Santa Monica Pier! 🎠Join us for Music Story Time in the carousel building at 3:30 PM and 4:30 PM! Rain or shine!

This Friday at 3:30 PM we have a very special "I am thankful" Music Story Time and Books swap happening in Santa Monica at The Preschool at Mishkon lovely playyard! Join us for some Thanksgiving fun and leave with some new books to share over the holiday!

Rsvp here: https://thankfulbookswap.eventbrite.com/

And is here this Sunday at 11 AM with musical Story Time, movement and crafts at The Westwood Village !

11/14/2025

You're invited to a very special "I AM THANKFUL" Story Time Play date and book swap to celebrate THANKSGIVING - let's spread gratitude together!

RSVP: https://thankfulbookswap.eventbrite.com/

We will play, create, connect and share stories and songs to be Thankful for!

Have gently used BOOKS filing your shelves that you’ve loved, but no longer read? Bring them to SWAP for someone else’s previously read and loved treasures. Board books, picture books and chapter books welcome! Remaining books will be donated to families in need.

After story time, stay for pizza party and treats! You are also welcome to join in on Kabbalat Shabbat with Mishkon's welcoming community.

10/29/2025

Happy Halloween! 👻 😮🎃

We had so much fun at our Halloween, spooky-ish at Ivy Station! We shared Halloween books about not so scary ghosts, monsters, pumpkins, oh my! We stomped like monsters, made ourselves into ghosts with our scarves and played shakers and instruments to creepy-ish music and songs. We of course, jumped on the parachute, which is always a blast. Then, we created our own Halloween creatures with stickers galore!

Books shared:
Boo! By Leslie Patricelli
Ghosts in the House! By Kazuno Kohara
Pete the Cat Five Little Pumpkins by James
Dean
If you're a monster, and you know it by Ed Emberly

We are back at next Tuesday and guess what? November 4 is my birthday!

10/28/2025

10/26/2025

Moo! Baa! Ribbit! BOO!

We had so much fun this morning at our author, reading, animal themed, musical Story Time mashup at Children's Book World with Author and New Yorker cartoonist, Matt Diffee sharing his debut picture books Zip Zap Wackety Wack: A story about Sharing!

We made so many animal sounds, and even shared some Halloween spooky-ish ones, too! Thanks to all of our friends who came out to join us! What fun!!!

10/24/2025

Cookie Monster loves to celebrate 🍪📚

to the original BOO-ks And Cookies ! Always so much fun!

Join us this Sunday, October 26 at 10 AM in Santa Monica! Halloween Spooky (ish) Story Time & Sing Along, Creepy Crafts, Costume Parade, Trick-or-Treating, snacks, giveaways and more!

Come in costume and enjoy a morning of family fun! Ghouls and Goblins of all ages are welcome! Tickets required for all babies, toddlers and big kids (adults FREE with paid child). RSVP required and space is limited! Santa Monica address provided upon RSVP!

https://BooksandCookiesHalloween25.eventbrite.com

10/23/2025

You are invited to our most anticipated event of the year is back! BOO-ks and Cookies Halloween Bash will be held Sunday, October 26th at 10am in Santa Monica! Music, Story Time, Crafts, Trick-or-treating, snacks and more!

RSVP here:
https://BooksandCookiesHalloween25.eventbrite.com

10/22/2025

"If you're a monster, and you know it snort and growl!"

Always so much fun and so much joy gathering at Ivy Station! We shared books about not so scary monsters! We stomped like monsters, peekaboo-ed behind scarves and played shakers and instruments to monster themed music and songs. We of course, jumped on the parachute, which is always a blast. Then, we created our own mini monsters with paper, pipe cleaners, pom-poms, googly eyes, markers, and stickers! Swipe for our creation, and also the books we shared.

Books:
Leonardo The Terrible Monster by Mo Williams
The Ugliest Monster in the World by Luis Amavisca
Go away, big green monster by Ed Emberley
If you're a monster, and you know it by Rebecca Emberley

We are back at next Tuesday for a Halloween themed Story Time!