Peter Apel is a dad, magician, artist, and creator of the the fun new music CD for kids, "I've Got a Dinosaur on My Head!"  Come sing along to his unique and fun songs!www.peterapel.comPeter Apel's songs cheer you up while offering keen but subtle observations of people and life. The catchy music is being played to warm-up kids in the dance studio, as material for classroom music presentations, and even in the a morning "breakfast-time" commute by a major radio station. Apel, a Bay Area dad and magician, says inspiration for most of the songs comes from family time, while playing the guitar and singing with nieces and nephews and his two young children at home.Now, after urging from friends and family who thought his music should be heard beyond the living room, Apel has released his debut music CD, "I've Got a Dinosaur on My Head!" and has worked the songs into his kid-themed music and magic show.  This refreshingly original music is receiving rave reviews from kids, parents and teachers. It educates, draws laughter and stirs immagination, making it an instant favorite both at home and in the car.  The secret? This is music parents can enjoy along with their kids.With awareness growing through word-of-mouth and gift-giving fans, Apel's music has worked its way to countless kids from his native New Mexico to New York and back California where he currently resides with his wife and two children.  A number of CDs have even made their way to the UK and as far away as Singapore and Thailand. A life-long music artist and spirited drummer, Apel also dabbled in guitar, piano, banjo, and other instruments along life's path. His passion for music comes through in the variety of styles and arrangements on the album. Prior to this CD, Apel had plenty of experience as a back-up vocalist, but he says he discovered his "solo voice" while singing "Go to Sleep" and "Rock-a-bye baby" 300 times a night to his young children.Rightfully receiving the honor of title track, “I've Got a Dinosaur on My Head!”, refers to the singer's unusual challenge of the day - what to do about that growing collection of noisy animals on his head ("they've been there since I got out of bed"). This is one of the album favorites, and is requested at every live performance. 

Bronwyn Lewis, the amazingly talented artist who painted our beautiful mural will be in-store painting faces!  Don't miss this opportunity for a first-rate face painting!

Ages 10 +.  Perfect for aspiring writers!   Creepy? Loathsome? Pestiferous? Just plain scary? How do authors come up with their Voldemorts and Wicked Witches of the West, anyway? Join San Francisco author M.E. Breen as she reads from her new novel, Darkwood, talks about some of the different strategies writers use to make their villains come to life on the page, and leads children in creating a villain of their own. This activity is best for kids ages 10 and up, but all are welcome.  M.E. Breen grew up in Berkeley surrounded by books, animals, and blackberry bushes. Her first novel, Darkwood, received a star review from Kirkus and was a Junior Library Guild selection. She has taught creative writing at Stanford and Yale University, where she received a BA and MA in English literature, as well as at San Francisco non-profits Walden House and Mission Language and Vocational School. She lives by the ocean with a dog named Truckstop and two cats: one small with brown stripes, the other the approximate size, shape, and alacrity of a pumpkin. To read reviews or find out more about M.E., visit her website http://www.mebreen.com/reviews/