July 12, 2007

Stroller Brigade goes Hawaiian
Museum Center offers special program for toddlers, preschoolers.
By BARBARA GIASONE STAFF WRITER

Who recognizes that blow-up photo on the museum wall of Cliff “Ukelele Ike” Edwards, whose voice was Jiminy Cricket in the Disney classic “Pinocchio?”

Certainly not Charlie Jaecker-Jones, 3. He’s too busy counting out seashells into a muffin tin.

And not Alex Bock, 4, who is focused on the storyteller’s book, “Hawaii Is a Rainbow.”

“Hear the crashing waves reach the lava shore – who-o-o-o-sh,” says retired Children’s Librarian Kathy Dasney with a sing-songy voice that immediately captures the boys’ attention.

Stroller Brigade, which brings the Fullerton Museum Center’s “Strings in Paradise” exhibit down to the little folks’ level, is in session. Every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon, Dasney hauls out her stash of children’s books, stuffed animals and puzzles to stimulate a child’s perception of our 50th state.

Parents and grandparents are encouraged to share the enrichment experience, tour the museum and enjoy a picnic lunch across the street at the playground.

“It’s better than having a child sit at a computer,” says Alex’s dad, John Bock, who with his wife, Carol, teaches anthropology at Cal State Fullerton.

Rocking her 3-month-old Sam, Fullerton Union High School alumna Amy Jaecker-Jones smiles every time son Charlie responds to an interactive game.

Pacific Hobbick, 6, ushers her brother, Hayden, 2, into a bean-bag chair to join the rhyming fun.

“I like learning the new (Hawaiian) words,” Pacific says.

Alex relates the fishing stories to his Hawaiian travels.

And Charlie? “I like holding the Hula Bear,” he says, eager to take a peek at the big

guitars and the big ukuleles. But interest in “Ukulele Ike” will have to wait.

“Strings of Paradise” runs through Sept. 9 at the Museum Center, 301 N. Pomona Ave. Information: 714-738-6545.