Events

Search the calendar for all upcoming events at The Carle. 

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Daily Happenings

child making art

Explore new materials and make art together in our light-filled Art Studio! All ages are welcome to create art inspired by our current exhibition. 

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Individuals sitting in auditorium for a program.

Film Screenings

Short films are screened in our Auditorium, including animated versions of picture book stories and family-friendly documentaries about illustrators. Several different films are shown each day.

adult holding a book while two kids point at the pages

You’re invited to come move, sing, play, and learn about the art and design of picture books. Join us at 11am Wednesday through Friday; 11am and 2pm on Saturdays, and 2:00 pm on Sundays.

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Special Events

Alberto Sala looks at a potato growing in the ground.
Artists & Authors
For Families

Special Storytime: Juana Martinez-Neal


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Join Juana Martinez-Neal while she shares her new picture book biography about Peruvian scientist Alberto Salas, “the godfather of potatoes.”

Visitors in the museum walking next to The Very Hungry Caterpillar costume.
For Families

Very Hungry Caterpillar Day


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Join us as we celebrate Very Hungry Caterpillar Day!

All Events

Format is double-digit day/double-digit month/four-digit-year
Free to be
Apr
6
Sun
3:00 pm
For Families
Performances

Free to Be...You and Me Sing-along Spectacular!

“Take my hand, come along, lend your voice to my song…” (Tickets required)

Kids on rug smiling and moving as they look at book.
Apr
11
Fri
11:00 am
For Families

Open Book, Open Play

Move, sing, talk, and explore materials during this interactive storytime for early learners.

Detail of braille book
Apr
18
Fri
11:00 am
For Families

Braille Storytime with Mary Westgate

Join us for this interactive storytime featuring singing, musical instruments, and braille books!

A classroom with a teacher standing next to a row of Black students seated a desks. One student has their hand raised.
Apr
19
Sat
11:00 am
Artists & Authors
For Families

Special Storytime: James Musyoka

James Musyoka will read his book, The Boy Who Read Newspapers, and talk about his life in rural Kenya.

Illustration of animals in abstract composition.
Apr
19
Sat
1:00 pm
Artists & Authors
Talks & Tours

Curator Talk with Bruce Handy

Join curator Bruce Handy for a tour of Open + Shut: Celebrating the Art of Endpapers.

A colorful collection of brightly colored and textured collage paper strips.
Apr
23
thru
Jun
1
All Day
For Families

Everyday Art Project: Out of This World

Create your own colorful, textured papers and turn them into floating mobiles!

Illustration of girl floating through space.
Apr
23
Wed
11:00 am
Artists & Authors
For Families
Workshops

In the Art Studio with Raúl Colón: Colored Pencil Creations

Join artist Raúl Colón for an interactive demonstration where we will play with colors by layering them into textures!

Illustration of girl floating through space.
Apr
23
Wed
1:00 pm
Artists & Authors
For Families
Workshops

In the Art Studio with Raúl Colón: Colored Pencil Creations

Join artist Raúl Colón for an interactive demonstration where we will play with colors by layering them into textures!

Animals playing instruments outside a circus tent, with the words "Come and learn about the orchestra!" displayed below them.
Apr
24
Thu
1:00 pm
For Families

Musical Petting Zoo

Hear, experience, and even play instruments of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra!

Child pointing at book held by Carle educator.
Apr
25
Fri
11:00 am
For Families

Story Chasers

Embark on a storytelling adventure across the museum.

A man selling peanuts on the street tips his hat and smiles up at a young girl looking out a window.
Apr
26
Sat
11:00 am
Artists & Authors
For Families

Special Storytime: Raúl Colón

A personal and heartfelt portrait of displacement and looking for connection. ~ Booklist

A boy and his abuela cook together in the kitchen, with a cat watching nearby.
Apr
26
Sat
2:00 pm
Artists & Authors
For Families

Special Storytime: Ilan Stavans

A boy and his Abuela are making bourekas, and Abuela is using words from the Ladino language that the boy is eager to learn.

Cover illustration showing a girl holding a lantern, a stone gate, and a dragon.
Apr
29
Tue
1:00 pm
Artists & Authors
Online
Talks & Tours

Virtual Classroom Visit with Grace Lin

Elementary classrooms (grades 3-6) will enjoy a virtual author visit with Grace Lin as she talks about her new book,The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon, a gorgeously illustrated adventure story about duty, love, and balance (pre-order/purchase of book required).

Photo of children outside dancing alongside instructor.
May
2
Fri
11:00 am
For Families

Word Play with The Center Dance Studio

Bring your dancing feet for creative movement inspired by picture books.

Two Museum guests look at art.
May
2
Fri
2:00 pm
Talks & Tours

Gallery Tour

Join Museum Educator David Feinstein for a tour of the galleries.

illustration of children walking on a farm
May
3
Sat
11:00 am
Artists & Authors
For Families

Special Storytime: Ruth and Whitney Sanderson

Join mother/daughter team Ruth and Whitney Sanderson for an interactive storytime featuring their new board books, Good Morning Farm Animals and Good Night Farm Animals.

A colorful pile of collage papers with different textures and patterns on them.
May
8
Thu
6:00 pm
Workshops

Exploring Materials: Paper

Collage, sculpture, wearable art, and more! Celebrate the creative possibilities of paper. 

Kids on rug smiling and moving as they look at book.
May
9
Fri
11:00 am
For Families

Open Book, Open Play

Move, sing, talk, and explore materials during this interactive storytime for early learners.

Assortment of books from the BERL collection
May
15
Thu
11:00 am
Talks & Tours

Explore the BERL

Take a morning tour exploring the Barbara Elleman Research Library (BERL), a collection of scholarly resources and rare books. Space is limited.

Detail of braille book
May
16
Fri
11:00 am
For Families

Braille Storytime with Mary Westgate

Join us for this interactive storytime featuring singing, musical instruments, and braille books!