In The Museum

Meet Natalie Merchant and Barbara McClintock

March 15, 2014
1:00pm
Free with Museum Admission

Natalie Merchant and Barbara McClintock will be signing copies of their book collaboration, Leave Your Sleep. The Carle is currently hosting an exhibition of selected works from Leave Your Sleep, including preliminary sketches to finished art.

Limit one book from home/unlimited books from The Carle Bookshop. Can’t make it to the event? Contact The Carle Bookshop at (413) 658-1132 or shop@carlemuseum.org to reserve signed copies.

In The Auditorium

Hitchcock Center Family Film: The Fox and the Child (2007)

March 16, 2014
1:00pm
$5; children under 5 free; Museum Admission extra

The Hitchcock Center for the Environment’s Film & Speaker Series presents a variety of thoughtful environmental films introduced by local experts and followed by discussions. Join us at The Carle for a  screening of the family film, The Fox and the Child (2007), followed by a visit with the Hitchcock Center’s box turtle Speedy and corn snake Maizie. Visit www.hitchcockcenter.org  for more information on the Film & Speaker Series.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Museum Admissions Desk or by calling (413) 658-1126. We are unable to accept same-day phone reservations. On the day of the performance, tickets are first come, first served. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

In The Museum

From Creative Process to Curriculum Connections: Children's Books in the Classroom

March 22, 2014
10:00am
$30

Join The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators-New England (NCBWI-NE) at The Carle for this exciting program. The program, which is intended for teachers, librarians, and other educators, features eleven New England-based children’s book authors and illustrators. Panels focused on realistic fiction, science-themed picture books, and fantasy will provide educators with plenty of ideas they can take back to their classrooms.

Registration is required by March 14th. See the SCBWI-NE Website for more details and to sign up.

In The Museum

Members Annual Pancake Breakfast Celebrating Very Hungry Caterpillar Day

March 23, 2014
10:00am - 12:00pm
Members Only - Free

First Seating – 9:00 am

Second Seating – 10:15 am

This event is free to Members, but space is limited. 

Reserve by March 16 at membership@carlemuseum.org

Enjoy fresh pancakes in The Carle Café, a special project in the Art Studio, Special Storytime and film in the Auditorium, plus the chance to meet the Caterpillar and receive a special Member gift.

In The Museum

2014 Very Hungry Caterpillar Day

March 23, 2014
12:00pm - 4:00pm
Free with Museum Admission

Celebrate The Caterpillar’s special day with us! Join us for special story times, art activities and a visit from The Very Hungry Caterpillar! Plus Museum Book Shop sale – 15% off all caterpillar-related books and toys!  Click here to see Eric Carle reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

In The Art Studio

Special Sundays in the Studio In Celebration of Very Hungry Caterpillar Day

March 23, 2014
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Free with Museum Admission

In The Art Studio

Every Day Art Program: Paint Me a Poem

March 26 - May 7, 2014
10:00am
Free with Museum Admission

All day

Inspired by Natalie Merchant and Barbara McClintock’s collaboration on their book Leave Your Sleep, paint a picture illustrating your favorite poem with watercolors. We’ll have poetry books on display to spark your imagination. April is National Poetry Month.

In The Museum

Members Opening Reception - Lyle, Lyle Crocodile and Friends: The Art of Bernard Waber

March 29, 2014
5:00pm - 7:00pm
Members Only - Free

Join us for an intimate Members' evening to celebrate the opening of our newest exhibition. The event includes a conversation with curator and picture book historian Leonard S. Marcus and friends, appetizers and drink ticket, plus the chance to win exhibition-related items in our free drawing.

5:00 Reception

6:15 Conversation

Members RSVP by Sunday, March 23 to Jenny Darling Stasinos at (413) 658-1104 or membership@carlemuseum.org

Support for this exhibition has been generously provided by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

In The Museum

Curriculum Connections at The Carle

March 30, 2014
1:00pm
$40 (Members Receive a 15% Discount)

(3 PDPs) How does a field trip to The Carle support Common Core Math and English Language Arts Standards? From the art studio to the galleries, this workshop introduces educators to the creative learning that takes place here, fostering curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking skills in students. Participants will learn about The Carle’s educational approach and teacher resources, and tour our collections and exhibitions. In addition to taking part in sample gallery activities, educators will also receive pre-and-post visit activity ideas to use back at school. Included in the workshop is a curator tour of the special exhibition Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile and Friends: The Art of Bernard Waber.

Instructor: Courtney Waring

Registration is required. Workshop includes Museum Admission and a 10% discount (25% for members) in the Museum Shop on the day of the program.

See Workshops for Adults to sign up.

In The East Gallery

Gallery Talk: The Art of Bernard Waber With Guest Curator Leonard Marcus

March 30, 2014
2:00pm
Free with Museum Admission

Join Guest Curator Leonard Marcus for a guided tour of the special exhibition Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile and Friends: The Art of Bernard Waber.

In The Auditorium

Northampton Community Music Center Family Concert Series Youth Orchestra and Ukulele Choir

April 5, 2014
11:00am
$5 (cash or check only); Museum Admission extra. Ticket sales begin at 10:30; no advance sales. Limited seating; early arrival recommended.

Please join us to see this delightful group of young musicians perform their annual concert.  Director Tyson Peelle will lead the Youth Orchestra in performing works by renowned composers Bach and Handel. To be followed by a playful ukulele ensemble directed by Adam Bosse, showcasing some of our favorite Beatles songs.  

In The Art Studio

Drawing Day at The Carle

April 6, 2014
12:00pm - 4:30pm
Free with Museum Admission

With the goal of bringing together people of all ages through something as simple as drawing, join us for our annual day of family-friendly projects designed to celebrate drawing and foster new and imaginative ways to draw.

In The Auditorium

The Diary of a Wimpy Kid Phenomenon: Jeff Kinney Talks about Drawing in Reluctant Readers

April 6, 2014
1:00pm
Free with Museum Admission

Jeff Kinney’s work has been widely credited for its ability to turn reluctant readers on to books. In his first visit to The Carle, he will share the incredible trajectory of his bestselling series, talk about its impact on readers, its wide reach around the globe, and the many unique experiences he has had since the first Diary of a Wimpy Kid book was first published in April 2007.
Reserve your space for the talk in the auditorium (413) 658-1126. We are unable to accept same-day phone reservations. Seating for the talk is limited; tickets will be handed out first come/first served and are non-refundable/non-transferable. Book signing to follow presentation, Limit one book from home/unlimited books from The Carle Bookshop.
Can’t make it to the event? Contact The Carle Bookshop at (413) 658-1132 or shop@carlemuseum.org to reserve signed copies.

In The Reading Library

Music Together for Valley Families – Spring Session

April 10 - June 19, 2014
9:30am
$195 / Returning families $190 (Register by March 16 and save $10) 2nd child $120; Siblings under 8 months FREE

Thursdays, April 10 - June 19   (No class April 17)
9:30am - 10:15am

(Infants – 5 years, with an adult)
Music and movement for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and the grownups who love them. This research-based, internationally-recognized curriculum is designed to nurture musical growth in a relaxed, playful setting. To register visit www.valleymusicgroup.com or call (413) 259 – 9400.
Instructor: Debbie Weyl

Tuition includes non-refundable registration fees, materials and 10 classes. Registration deadline: March 28, 2014

In The Reading Library

Special Storytime with Mordicai Gerstein

April 12, 2014
2:00pm
Free with Museum Admission

Meet Caldecott Medal winner Mordicai Gerstein and learn about the inspiration behind his book, The First Drawing, which imagines the discovery of drawing by a child more than thirty thousand years ago. Program includes drawing demonstration, followed by a book signing.

In The Museum

Information Session Simmons College MFA in Writing for Children at The Carle

February 2, 2014
12:00pm
March 2, 2014
12:00pm
April 13, 2014
12:00pm

Simmons College and The Carle are delighted to announce the expansion of our partnership offering graduate programs in children's literature at The Carle to include: the continuation of the MFA in Writing for Children program, a new MA in Children's Literature, and a new joint degree combining the MFA/MA degree programs. Attend an informational session at the Museum to learn about the programs, how to apply, and meet representatives from Simmons and the Museum.

Registration required. For more information please contact Cathryn Mercier, Director for the Center for the Study of Children's Literature and Professor of English, Simmons College.

To visit the Simmons College Web site about the program, click here.

In The Art Studio

Rolled Paper Relief with Susan Schwake

April 19, 2014
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Free with Museum Admission

Make a sculpture with origami and other beautifully printed papers! This fun-filled art adventure is great for all ages and abilities and will be lead by returning guest artist, Susan Schwake, author of 3-D Art Lab for Kids. Susan will be available to sign books in the Art Studio.

In The Auditorium

Hampshire College Theatre’s Seedling Productions Presents Lily Plants a Garden by José Cruz González

April 19, 2014
1:00pm and 3:00pm
$4; Museum Admission extra

The play is an inspiring and timely allegory about a child who brings hope to troubled times. This theatre for young audiences’ piece uses music, puppetry, and imagination to address issues of conflict, identity and difference, family and adoption, environmentalism, and optimism.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Museum Admissions Desk or by calling (413) 658-1126. We are unable to accept same-day phone reservations. On the day of the event, tickets are first come, first served. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

In The Museum

Museum Open on Patriots' Day

April 21, 2014
10:00am - 4:00pm

The Carle will be open on Monday during MA school vacation week.

In The Auditorium

CactusHead Puppets Presents The Bremen Town Musicians

April 23, 2014
11:00am and 2:00pm
April 24, 2014
11:00am and 2:00pm
April 25, 2014
11:00am and 2:00pm
April 26, 2014
11:00am and 1:00pm
$5 (Members $4.50); Museum Admission extra

CactusHead Puppets tells the classic tale of a donkey, dog, cat, and rooster who set off on a journey together to start new lives as musicians, and the exciting adventures they have along the way.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Museum Admissions Desk or by calling (413) 658-1126. We are unable to accept same-day phone reservations. On the day of the event, tickets are first come, first served. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

In The Museum

A Caldecott Celebration: A Look at Selected Caldecott Winners and Their Influence Throughout More Than Seventy-Five Years

April 25, 2014
9:30am
$40 (Members Receive a 15% Discount)

(3 PDPs) Look closely at selected picture books, including Where the Wild Things Are and The Snowy Day, that have been recognized as the ‘most distinguished’ of their time and discuss the new perspectives that they continue to bring to the field of children’s literature.

Instructor: Emily Prabhaker

Registration is required. Workshop includes Museum Admission and a 10% discount (25% for members) in the Museum Shop on the day of the program.

See Workshops for Adults to sign up.

In The Reading Library

Special Storytime with Jarrett Krosoczka

April 26, 2014
2:00pm
Free with Museum Admission

In The Auditorium

2014 Annual Barbara Elleman Research Library (BERL) Lecture Extinct Monsters: What Scholars Learn from Children’s Books

April 26, 2014
2:30pm
Free with Museum Admission

Presentation by Timothy Young, Curator of Modern Books and Manuscripts, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University (1 PDP)

Old and rare children’s books and manuscripts might evoke feelings of nostalgia for many readers. However, libraries build collections of children’s literature so researchers can trace the development of cultural phenomena and narrate more complex histories. This talk will explore some of the research opportunities that children’s books offer and provide fascinating examples of what can be learned from them. Reception to follow.
Prior to the 2:30 program, a behind-the-scenes tour of The Carle will be offered to interested participants.

In The Auditorium

Poetry at Play: Family Poetry Jam

April 27, 2014
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Free with Museum Admission

Come celebrate National Poetry Month at The Carle as acclaimed children’s poets and authors from the Pioneer Valley—Jane Yolen, Richard Michelson, Jeannine Atkins, and Heidi Stemple—read aloud their own poems as well as poems by their favorite writers. This all-ages event, hosted by poet and poetry advocate Steven Withrow, will be followed by a book signing with all the featured authors. Don’t miss this enjoyable, verse-filled afternoon.

In The Art Studio

Every Day Art Program: A Place to Call Home

May 8 - June 18, 2014
10:00am
Free with Museum Admission

All day

Whether you live in a city brownstone like Bernard Waber’s Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, or a country house, experiment with cut paper collage and drawing to make your own version of “home.”

In The Art Studio

Every Day Art Program: Eye Spy Journals

June 19 - July 21, 2014
10:00am
Free with Museum Admission

All day

The main character in Louise Fitzhugh’s Harriet The Spy recorded her observations in a special notebook she carried everywhere. With an array of drawing tools, create your own spy journal and record a secret (or not-so-secret) story about your trip to The Carle.