KIDS/SNEAK PEEK : SNACKTIME READERS GET `FRIED WORMS'.

Byline: - Nancy Hewitt

Ever eaten a fried worm? Well, if you're a kid in grades four through eight, here's a chance to learn all about fried worms and discuss the book ``How to Eat Fried Worms'' by Thomas Rockwell at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Glendale Central Library as part of the monthly Snacktime Readers program.

Also at the library, children age 6 and older can celebrate St. Patrick's Day and make a fun craft at 3:30 p.m. the same day.

And before that, if it's a pot 'o gold you're looking for, then come hear some magical stories and make St. Patrick's Day pop-ups at 2 p.m. The Glendale Central Library is at 222 E. Harvard St. Information: [phone]. Admission to all events is free.

Past and present

Come visit the Discovery Center of the Natural History Museum at 1:30 p.m. Saturday and learn how the dinosaurs of the past are like the lizards of the present.

Visiting children will enjoy two animal presentations and make dinosaur crafts to take home.

The museum is at 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles. Admission $8 adults; $5.50 students and seniors; $2 children ages 5 to 12; children under age 5 free. Information: [phone].

Sing, sing, sing

Elmo, Big Bird, Telly Monster and their other pals have something to sing about. They have a new video called ``Kids' Favorite Songs.''

But Elmo has a dilemma. He is getting ready for his Top Ten Countdown on the radio but doesn't know which songs to include. All his pals on Sesame Street want him to play their favorite songs.

Kids will be delighted by songs they know, including ``I've Been Working on the Railroad,'' ``Row, Row, Row Your Boat,'' ``John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt'' and ``She'll Be Comin' 'Round the Mountain.''

Viewers will see how Elmo solves his dilemma and enjoy their favorite songs as well. Suggested list price for the video is $9.98. It is available at local retailers.

Living on a kibbutz 

The experiences of local inner-city youth who spent several weeks living on a kibbutz in Israel are depicted in a new exhibit at the Skirball Cultural Center.

``Operation Unity: Young Ambassadors of Harmony'' opens Wednesday in the Ruby Gallery and features photographs and video highlights of the youths' stay on the collective farm in Israel.

See this special exhibition at the center, 2701 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. General admission is $8; $6 members and students. Information: [phone]. For tickets only: [phone].

That's all folks

If you haven't seen the work of Friz Freleng, time is running out. ``That's Not All Folks - The Art of Friz Freleng'' ends its run Sunday at the Skirball Cultural Center.

This will be the last time you can see the work of the man behind the Pink Panther, Bugs Bunny, Sylvester and Tweety, Yosemite Sam and Daffy Duck. Sketches, drawings, production cels and other items are available for viewing during regular hours in the Ruby Gallery of the Skirball Center, 2701 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. General admission is $8; $6 members and students. Information: [phone]. For tickets only: [phone].

Determined to learn

A 12-year-old slave named Clotee is determined to learn how to read and write, despite threats from her master, and she gets unexpected help from the tutor of her master's son, and helps him keep a secret that ends up changing her life.

Shadia Simmons stars as the young girl in ``Dear America: A Picture of Freedom,'' based on the best-selling Scholastic book series. The program, being shown as part of Women's History Month, can be seen at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on HBO. For a sneak peek, flip on HBO at 9 p.m. Sunday.

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Photo: A young slave girl who dreams of reading and writing defies her master's orders in the HBO drama ``Dear America: A Picture of Freedom.''