Nile, the inflatable43-foot whale, is returning to Malden on Friday, July 15, at 2 p.m! Kids in grades K-5 will be able to go inside Nile—the life-sized humpback whale, learn about how whales and humans are similar and different, and have a chance to touch baleen, teeth and bones. This special whale education program is presented by Cynde McInnis, who has loved whales and been learning about them since she was eight.

This program is generously funded by Preotle, Lane & Associates.

On Tuesday, July 12, at 3 p.m., kids can meet author Alec Carvlin, decorate their own cosmic sunglasses, hear him read his fun new picture book, and ask questions about the book and the science behind it. Recommended for children ages 5-8.

Register your child now for the Summer Reading Club, either on paper in the Children’s Room or online using Beanstack. Children ages 3 to those entering 5th grade in the fall are eligible.

For six weeks, beginning Monday, July 4, registered children can log their reading times (on paper or online) to reach the weekly goal of 120 minutes or more by the end of the week on Sunday. Kids can read any book anywhere, and being read aloud to counts, especially for pre-readers. Readers who reach the weekly goal can come to the Children’s Room the following week (or anytime thereafter) to choose a prize. For more information, call the Children’s Room at 781-388-0803 or 781-324-0218. A calendar with all the library’s summer programs (the events in red are for children) is available: Summer Program Calendar 2022

Children ages 4-8 are invited to “Trail Mix,” a special storytelling program by Diane Edgecomb on Thursday, July 7, at 10:30 am on the front lawn of the library.

Step off the Beaten Path and into the Big Outdoors in this fun-loving participatory program with award-winning storyteller Diane Edgecomb. We’ll go on a fossil dig in Montana to discover a new dinosaur and take on the world’s sassiest bugs all before we break out our lunch pails. Join in the stories, songs and FUN that have made Diane Edgecomb one of New England’s favorite storytellers. Diane has been featured on NPR and is a winner of a Parent’s Choice award for her CDs and recordings.

This program is supported by a grant from the Malden Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Kari Percival, Malden artist and author, will read from her new picture book, How to Say Hello to a Worm, and then offer a special gardening activity on the library front lawn. This free program is appropriate for young children (ages 2-5).  For the activity, families should bring a container in which to plant their garden. Suitable containers can be an empty 32-ounce yogurt container (with lid) or an empty plastic half-gallon milk jug or an empty 2-liter soda bottle or a similar-sized flower pot.

On Thursday, April 21, at 3:00 pm, we’ll have lots of yarn available so that children can use the library’s Wonder Knitters, learn how to fingerknit, and explore other crafts and activities with yarn.

Recommended for ages 6-10.

On Wednesday, April 20, at 3:00 pm, Pumpernickel Puppets will perform “Sir George and the Dragon,” a show that is appropriate for ages 3-8. Puppeteer John McDonough will also demonstrate how different puppets work and how kids can make their own puppets and put on shows at home. Don’t miss this fun and entertaining family event!

This program is funded by the Anna Yaghjian Fund.

Young children (ages 3-5) are invited to join us for weekly storytimes at 10:30 a.m. on Thursdays beginning March 31. Each storytime features several picture books, songs, rhymes, and a simple craft and lasts about 45 minutes. Please sign up for each session that your child will be attending. You do not need to register for all sessions at once. If you are unable to attend a storytime you have signed up for, please call the Children’s Room to cancel.