EDITORS'PICKS

BY susan scully petroni & carrie wattu

1. Feb. 1-29: The World of Story Books Exhibit is opening at the Spellman Museum of Stamps & Postal History at Regis College in Weston. What do Goldilocks, The Cat in the Hat, Pippi Longstockings and Harry Potter all have in common? Answer: they all are featured on postage stamps from around the world. Many other favorite characters from children's literature are also commemorated stamps and many of these can been viewed in the exhibit. Special Family Days including story telling, puppet shows, stamp games and puzzles and arts and crafts activities are planned for various weekends throughout the show. The exhibit is designed to appeal both to children and adults and the stories on stamps range from Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White to the Lord of the Rings and the Chronicles of Narnia. The exhibit ends on April 30. The Museum is open Thursdays to Sundays, noon - 5 p.m. Children 16 and under are free. Call 781-768-8367 or visit www.spellman.org.

Cast your vote for animal president of the Franklin Park Zoo. Visit www.zoonewengland.com for more information.

2. Feb. 16-18: Make plans for the 5th Annual Concord Museum Warm Words Storytelling Festival at the Concord Museum in Concord. Stories That Made America: is a weekend of family storytelling celebrates cultures from around the world that have become a part of our American identity. Hear stories about Native American traditions, recollections of European immigration, African-American stories of freedom, and other traditional folktales. Tickets are $15 for an adult & child combo. Additional family members are $7. For reservations call 978-369-9763. For a complete schedule visit www.concordmusuem.org.

3. Sunday, Feb. 17: Celebrate the Year of the Rat at the Boston Children's Museum today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event features Chinese music and performances such as Chinese acrobats and dances. Come make mouse hats, mouse lanterns, and enjoy many arts and crafts activities. Admission is $10 for adults, and $8 for children ages 2-15. For more information visit, www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org.

4. Feb. 18-22: Vote for President at the Franklin Park Zoo's Animal Election in Boston. Learn about each of the candidates' platforms, celebrate with games and activities, and discover what makes each animal unique. The winner will be announced on Sat., February 23 and an inauguration party will follow in the Tropical Forest. Admission is $11 for adults, $6 for children 2 - 12, and free for children under 2. www.franklinparkzoo.org.

5. Feb. 18-22: The Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield has planned a host of appearances, special events, and contests throughout the week. Most events are free with admission: $16.99 for adults, $11.99 for youth ages 5 - 15, and free for children under 5. Contact. 413- 231-5521, 1-877-4HOOPLA (466752), or www.hoophall.com for more information.

6. Feb. 19-22: Although Plimoth Plantation is closed for the winter, they are opening their doors for a fun week of activities and events during February Vacation in Plymouth. Check out www.plimoth.org for the most up-to -date schedule of events and activities, including try-outs for the American Girl Fashion Show coming to Plimoth Plantation in April, along with family pie baking workshops, and multiple sessions of Native Wampanoag songs and games for children and adults. They also offer unique sessions in the 1627 English Village to get up close and personal with Rare Breed animals including cows, sheep and goats.

7.Jan. 25-27: Got Game? The Wenham Museum on Main Street in Wenham is offering two events school vacation week. On Wednesday, Feb. 20 from 1 to 4 p.m. families can get together over a classic board game. On Thursday, from 1 to 3 p.m. the museum will host a Lego brick-fest of fun. On both days, come early to visit Look What I Got! 100 Years of Timeless Toys and discover the foundation of Legos themselves - how and why they were first created. Museum admission is $7 for adults, $5 for children ages 2-15. For more information visit www.wenhammuseum.org

8. Feb. 22-24: The New England YSF Youth Sports Festival™ is coming to Gillette Stadium in Foxboro from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Kids, ages 6 - 18, can sign up for Interactive Skill Zones, a series of scheduled clinics/demonstrations for girls and boys to learn and practice their favorite sport or be introduced to a new one, all under the guidance of top area coaches and pros from local organizations and team partners in football, cheer, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, baseball/softball, field & ice hockey. There will be a series of Educational Workshops/Certifications developed for coaches, officials, parents and administrators, covering topics such as conditioning; sportsmanship; responsibilities; scholarships; sports nutrition and safety. Plus, there will be lots of info on camps and facilities; product manufacturers; teams, leagues and organizations, and other assorted related firms. Have fun shopping for sports products, and don't miss athlete appearances throughout the weekend. Admission is $10 adults, $20 kids ages 6-17 and $5 for non-participating youths. Children under age 6 are free. Visit www.newenglandyouthsportsfestival.com for more information.