Events

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Learn more about special events, exhibitions, and things happening behind-the-scenes!

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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 an Everyday Art Project 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

illustration of a diverse group of adults and children at a picnic table
Artists & Authors
For Families

Special Storytime: K. L. Going & Fiona Lee


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A joyful ode to moms, their babies, and all the other family members who love them.

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Performances

Springfield Symphony Youth Orchestras Solo & Ensemble Festival


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Join youth of all ages to hear amazing works from Mozart to Shostakovich!

All Events

Format is double-digit day/double-digit month/four-digit-year
Thu
Jul
17
Assortment of books from the BERL collection
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.

Fri
Jul
18
Detail of braille book
For Families

Braille Storytime with Mary Westgate

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

Fri
Jul
25
BenAnna Band Promo Shot
For Families
Performances

Family Jam with BenAnna Band

Families will go bananas for this high energy musical duo that will have them singing, dancing, and playing along on live instruments!

Fri
Aug
1
Photo of children outside dancing alongside instructor.
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.
Talks & Tours

Gallery Tour

Join Associate Curator Isabel Ruiz Cano for a tour of the galleries.

Sat
Aug
2
A girl in a red jacket runs with arms out wide, with her parents walking in the background.
Artists & Authors
For Families

Special Storytime: Xindi Yan

Artist Xindi Yan reads from her recent book, Little Bird Laila (written by Kelly Yang), a joyful story of a Chinese American girl translating for her immigrant parents.

Fri
Aug
15
Detail of braille book
For Families

Braille Storytime with Mary Westgate

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

Sat
Aug
23
Yoga instructor and families doing yoga in Bobbie's Meadow.
For Families

Yoga for Kids!

Children ages 3-6 will explore movement and fun inspired by the beautiful nature found in Bobbie’s Meadow.

Fri
Aug
29
Child pointing at book held by Carle educator.
For Families

Story Chasers

Embark on a storytelling adventure across the museum.

Fri
Sep
5
Two Museum guests look at art.
Talks & Tours

Gallery Tour

Join Director of Education Courtney Waring for a tour of the galleries.

Tue
Sep
16
Book cover showing children and grownup at storytime.
Artists & Authors
Online
Talks & Tours

Reading Picture Books with Children: A 10th Anniversary Author Talk with Megan Dowd Lambert

Join former Carle educator Megan Dowd Lambert to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her book about the Whole Book Approach storytime model.

Thu
Sep
18
Assortment of books from the BERL collection
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.

Sat
Sep
20
Book cover showing children and grownup at storytime.
Artists & Authors
Talks & Tours

Celebrating a Decade of Reading Picture Books with Children with Author Megan Dowd Lambert

Join former Carle educator Megan Dowd Lambert to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her book about the Whole Book Approach storytime model.

Megan Dowd Lambert and child during Whole Book Approach storytime.
Artists & Authors
For Families

A Whole Book Approach Storytime with Author Megan Dowd Lambert

See how words and pictures work together in the picture book form.

Thu
Sep
25
Close up of hands working with collage materials, papers, pencils, tape, and glue.
Artists & Authors
Workshops

Back to Basics: Storytelling with Cut Loose Collage Workshops

Join local collage artist Michael Sjostedt and rediscover the simple joy of artmaking.  

Fri
Oct
3
Two Museum guests look at art.
Talks & Tours

Gallery Tour

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

Sun
Oct
19
Keyana Image
Artists & Authors
For Families

Special Storytime: Natasha Anastasia Tarpley

It’s time to trick-or-treat! It’s Halloween, and Keyana can’t wait to have some fun!

Thu
Nov
13
Illustration of people eating at table.
Artists & Authors
Talks & Tours

Educators' Night: Grace Lin

Lin’s 2025 Ed Night presentation is an updated version of her TEDx talk, “The Windows and Mirrors of Your Child’s Bookshelf.”

Thu
Nov
20
Assortment of books from the BERL collection
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.

Thu
Dec
11
Close up of hands working with collage materials, papers, pencils, tape, and glue.
Artists & Authors
Workshops

Back to Basics: Joy with Cut Loose Collage Workshops

Join local collage artist Michael Sjostedt and rediscover the simple joy of artmaking.