SHOWS FOR YOUNGSTERS AND THEIR PARENTS TOO : Must-read TV: ‘Storytime’ expands its list of books and stars reciting them

Storytime, the popular public broadcasting show that brings together celebrities and preschoolers, enters its third season on KCET and its second on PBS stations nationwide this week.

Famous folk will read new and favorite books to youngsters on 10 new shows, with previous shows mixed into the lineup. Ten more shows will be added in January.

Hooking up celebs with kids has proved to be a winning combination for “Storytime” since it originated at KCET three years ago. In fact, it won a spot on PBS’ national lineup its second season, beating out other local affiliates’ offerings.

New to the celeb reading list this year are Annie Potts, Little Richard, Robert Guillaume, Teri Garr, Theresa Saldana, Marion Ross, Joanna Cassidy, Jamie Walters, Kirstin Dunst and Amy Hill.

Books chosen make it through a selection committee made up of the show’s board of advisers, which include the senior children’s librarian at the L.A. Public Library, an expert in child development, a curriculum specialist and a child-literature specialist, says “Storytime” executive producer Pat Kunkel, who’s also director of children’s programming and special projects at KCET.

Then the books go on what producers call “a road test.”

“We go to local preschools and schools and test them to see how well they read aloud with groups of children, who are the final and most discerning critics in many ways,” explains Kunkel. “Test schools” include the Scott Child Development Center in Pasadena and the Micheltorena and Fletcher Elementary schools in Los Angeles.

Nearly 160 books will have been read to youngsters by the time the program’s 50th show airs. Though three to four books are read daily, producers are confident they won’t run out of good material.

“I never worry about running out of books,” says Kunkel. “I don’t allow myself to worry about it. With the new books and the old favorites, there will always be stories there.”

Some old favorites might not be included because “Storytime” can’t secure the rights but, Kunkel says, “we try to balance the selections to offer both new and old favorites, with various themes, a variety of styles. Those are all the elements that go into the decision-making.”

Few changes have been made since the show’s inception. Marabina Jaimes (who plays Mara) and puppet Kino (performed by Mark Ritts) still take on hosting duties; last season, they introduced Lucy (played by Ann Bentancourt). The in-studio audience being read to has been pared down to just two to four kids. “It works better--there’s more intimacy and more connection,” Kunkel says.

The show has garnered the attention--and participation--of celebrities, much as the “Batman” TV series did with its villain roles in the ‘60s, Kunkel says, “I would hope it works well because it captures the interactivity of reading and because you have children there, being read to. It’s a very special exchange that happens. I like to call it the ‘magic string.’ It connects the reader and the kids being read to both in person or on the other side of the TV screen.”

Kunkel credits the “great stories” with ultimately “making the connection. The simplicity rings true. The stars of the show are the stories. You can’t really go wrong.”

“Storytime” airs weekdays at 7:30 a.m. and weekends at 9 a.m. on KCET; Mondays at 8 a.m. on KLCS; Thursdays at 2:30 p.m. on KVCR. For ages 3 to 7.