Children’s Book Week will be here in just a couple of weeks, and with it comes a lineup of fun events and activities that will get kids excited about reading. Who knows? Maybe they’ll even put down their electronics long enough to get hooked on a fantastical story. Below, five awesome events taking place around the city that you and your budding reader will absolutely love.
The New York Public Library will host a Drag Queen Story Hour (just what is sounds like!) in which a drag queen will to read to your little ones, exposing them to gender fluidity, inclusivity and LGBTQ role models. Heck yeah! Afterwards, your pint-sized crew will participate in a simple craft activity. Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, 476 Fifth Ave (212-621-0208, nypl.org). May 6 3pm–4pm. Ages 3 and up.
2. New York Therapy Dogs R.E.A.D.
Did you know that the New York Public Library has licensed therapy dogs on hand so that kids can read them stories? Reading to an animal rather than an adult takes the pressure off of the child and allows them to enjoy the experience more. Ahoy there, blossoming bookworms! Webster Library on the Upper East Side will have sessions May 1 beginning at 3pm and the Yorkville Library will have a meet-and-read with its therapy dog, Chucky, May 3 at 4pm. Pre-register for a 15-minute slot for some one-on-one time with these furry companions. Webster Library, 1465 York Ave (212-288-5049, nypl.org). May 1 3pm. Ages 5–10. * Yorkville Library, 222 E 79th St (212-744-5824, nypl.org). May 1 4pm. Ages 5–10.
3. Stories Reading Challenge
Stories Bookshop will provide its hand-picked list of multi-ethnic children’s books and when a child reads a recommended title, she’ll get a chance to write a “shelf-talker review.” These mini book reviews will be posted in a special section in the shop. A mural in the shop’s Storytelling Lab will feature all the books kids are currently reading and the lessons they’re gathering from those stories. Stories Bookshop + Storytelling Lab, 458 Bergen St (718-369-1167, storiesbk.com). All ages.
Photograph: Courtesy Josh Applegate
4. Sunday Storytime at Stories Bookshop
Stories is also hosting a special Children’s Book Week Storytime with debut Turkish author Basak Agaoglu who will read her picture book The Almost Impossible Thing. The story teaches about learning about and accepting each other’s differences by following the journey of a little bunny who wants to fly like a bird. Stories Bookshop + Storytelling Lab, 458 Bergen St (718-369-1167, storiesbk.com). May 7 10:30am. All ages.
5. Children’s Book Week at Bank Street Book Store
Bank Street is celebrating the nationwide initiative with a variety of events, including visits from author-illustrators Peter Reynolds and Chris Raschka. Raschka will join the Yippee Skippy Puppet Theater as a special guest on May 7 1pm-2pm. Bank Street Book Store, 2780 Broadway (212-678-1654, bankstreetbooks.com). May 1–7. All ages.
For a list of participating venues, visit everychildareader.net/map. And looking for a reading list to kick off Children's Book Week? Then browse through our list of the best kids' books of all time for families. With 93 titles in this ranked list, your kid will be hard-pressed to find one he or she won't get totally lost in!