Jokes Riddles

Books recommended by Ilene Abramson, senior librarian, Los Angeles Public Library: April is a good month to turn kids into book lovers by reading funny stories about charming fools. Toddler and preschool: "Silly Sally," by Audrey Wood. Follow the adventures of Silly Sally, who went to town "walking backward, upside-down." * Preschool and kindergarten: "The Dumb Bunnies," by Sue Denim, illustrated by Dav Pilkey. A family of rabbits goes through life merrily partaking in unconventional activities.

Bringing reading to residents of the San Fernando Valley is a daily service provided by three bookmobiles that visit elementary schools, senior citizens' apartments, parks and neighborhood shopping centers under a program sponsored by the Los Angeles Public Library. Its purpose is to furnish library services to those who would find it difficult or impossible to reach branch libraries. This is particularly true of a number of elementary schools that are located far from the 17 Valley branches.

Americans who see Mother Russia as a humorless land of narrow-minded people should take a look at Krokodil magazine, which thrice monthly lampoons the absurdities of Soviet life. The colorful, 16-page satirical magazine was first published in 1922 and is put out today by the Communist Party. It contains cartoons, jokes and riddles that take jabs at government problems, promises and procedures.

Daytime talk shows make dysfunctional families seem like the norm, but Teri Harrison has a different story. "I had the perfect upbringing," said Harrison, 33, a self-employed businesswoman. "There was a lot of love, there was a lot of support, there was a lot of fun." Harrison and her husband, Martin, looked forward to duplicating that upbringing with a family of their own.

The emcee at the Improv on Monday night introduced them in unusually gushing terms: "You're going to love them, you're all here to see them tonight, let's give a big warm welcome to the comedy duo of Max and Ross." His remarks were followed by the obligatory round of polite applause. But once the audience caught sight of the two performers, brothers Max and Ross Messier, they erupted in a fit of hand-clapping, foot-stomping and deafening laughter and cheers.

"It's not hard to teach children how to read; however, stimulating and maintaining the desire to read is another story," says Joanne Rocklin, who has a doctorate in clinical psychology and works with children in Woodland Hills and Burbank. "This process begins very, very early, and it begins in your lap." Rocklin and Nancy Levinson, co-authors of a nonfiction book for preteens and teens ("Getting High in Natural Ways," Hunter House, P.O. Box 1302, Claremont, Calif.

I got on an elevator a while back with a friend. Immediately on entering he took his hat off and placed it over his heart. "It's customary," he said. "Actually, I'd do it anyway because I don't want to meet my maker with my hat on and I don't trust these things." It occurred to me that I didn't trust them either. I still don't. And the more I see of them in my travels about the world, the more I don't trust them.

Midafternoon, and we are sailing. The wide span of Century Boulevard seems vast in its possibilities, a seductive expanse with room to roam or expand. At quick glimpse, it is sparkling, but a brief pause at a light reveals something quite different--a poorly patched facade, a wall of chain link encircling nothing, rubble from some long-lost decade left to rot or rust. "Look at these giant streets!" Walter Mosley rides jump seat, taking in L.A.