Disney music, gelato and storytelling: That’s the scene on a Wednesday evening at La Divina Italian Café.
The café hosts Kids’ Nights on Wednesdays, featuring a different children’s book author every week.
Owners Lance and Mary LeBlanc hosted the first Kids’ Night last December, and aside from a three-week hiatus this spring, the slots have been booked ever since.
“We’re really excited with how it took off,” Mary says. “As long as it keeps going as well as it is, we’re going to keep doing it.”
La Divina’s Kids’ Nights aim to encourage children to read and teach them lessons from books while giving parents a break from cooking dinner and keeping their young kids busy. Kids’ Nights are also a good way to help authors spread the word about their books, Mary says.
Authors read their books several times throughout the evening to accommodate families who arrive at different times.
In addition to live readings and meet-and-greets with the authors, La Divina plays children’s music over the speakers and supplies crayons and coloring sheets that correspond with the book.
Michelle Hirstius, author of JuJu the Good Voodoo, says she loves reading at La Divina’s Kids’ Nights.
“This is my third time presenting my series here, and I think it’s a great event Mary’s doing,” Hirstius said on a recent Wednesday. “It teaches kids that reading is fun, and it benefits everyone. It helps the authors, it helps the parents and it helps the restaurant.”
La Divina’s full menu is available during Kids’ Nights. The event is free and is held 5 p.m.-7 p.m. every Wednesday. La Divina is at 3535 Perkins Road. ladivinagelateria.com
Who’s at Kids’ NightOct. 7: Allyn Stotz, The Color of Love
Oct. 14: Franny Walsh, Who Cat: A Louisiana Tale
Oct. 21: Holly Stone-Barker, The House that Witchy Built (interactive)
Oct. 28: Mary Reason Theriot, Monsters Everywhere and Zombie Shuffle. Kids are encouraged to dress in Halloween costumes
Nov. 4: Terri D’Armond, Cotton Feels Rotten
Nov. 11: Lenell Levy Melancon, Tootles the Turtle Tells the Truth
Nov. 18: Tracey Koch, Georges, the Goose from Toulouse Who Only Ate Couscous
Nov. 25: La Divina closes early for Thanksgiving
Dec. 9: Holly Stone-Barker, Blue Frog: The Legend of Chocolate. Free hot chocolate will be available.
Dec. 16: Wendy Woods, Heaux-Heaux-Heaux Indigeaux!
Dec. 23: Mary Reason Theriot, Rayne Emily Deer and Chilly the Snowman. Kids can participate in special Christmas crafts.
Jan. 6: Debbie Forbes, The Animals’ Secret Krewe
