By Mary O’KEEFE

Three authors will be visiting  Once Upon A Time bookstore in the upcoming days. One rides herd on the range,  one solves mysteries along Parisian streets and another survives the trials and tribulations of growing up.
On April 23, beginning at 2 p.m. mystery novelist Cara Black will be at a book signing for her latest novel, “Murder in the Paliais Royal.”
Through detective Aimée Leduc, Black weaves mysteries in and out of Parisian neighborhoods.
Bookstore owner Maureen Palacios said that for those readers who have been to Paris Black’s books brings back familiar memories. For those with a wanderlust heart but have yet to travel to France, her books bring Paris alive so readers feel they have actually walked the streets.
Named the oldest children’s bookstore in the nation by Publisher’s Weekly, Once Upon A Time has a tradition of bringing world renowned authors to the community. The store usually hosts authors of children’s books but in Black’s case an exception was made.
“We have a mystery book club that meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at 8:30 in the morning,” said Palacios. “[The book club] loves Cara’s books.”
Later Friday night the bookstore hosts a very special author. Comic book graphic novelist Jimmy Gownley will be signing books and meeting the public.
“We are very fortunate to have him here,” Palacios said.
The day after his signing  at Once Upon A Time, Gownley will be at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at UCLA.
“There will be [hundreds] of people standing in line at the Festival of Books for his autograph. You can come here and see him in a personal setting,” Palacios invited.
Gownley began writing and drawing comics when he was 15 year old. In 2001 “Amelia Rules!” was introduced to rave reviews.  He continues to be an advocate for kids’ comics and co-founded the Kids Love Comics organization that promotes comic books and graphic novels as a tool of literacy and education.
“He does write books that kids want to read,” Palacios said.
The night will be a celebration of all things Gownley. Palacios will have crafts for kids to do including coloring books taken from the author’s website.
Then on Sunday, April 25, Erica Silverman will stop by at 2 p.m. for a book launch party for her new book, “Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: Horse in the House.”
“She is a very experienced children’s book writer,” Palacios said.
Silverman, who is a librarian, is keenly aware of the types of books kids like to read.
All three of the authors’ events are free to the public.
Once Upon A Time is location at 2207 Honolulu Ave. For more information call (818) 248-9668.