School may be out for the summer, but that leaves plenty of time for your child to get a head start on their summer reading list. These literary events, from author talks to story times, will help your child stay on top of their reading during summer vacation.
Knucklehead Afternoon – An Author Talk with Tony Keith Jr.
June 1, 1:30-3 p.m. | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
901 G St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
Join author and poet Tony Keith Jr. as he reads and discusses poems from his book in verse, “Knucklehead,” which focuses on his experience growing up Black, gay and misunderstood. He will be joined by moderator and young adult author Candice Iloh. This event is best suited for teen readers.
Free | dclibrary.libnet.info
Green Piano: Every Story has a Song! at Cherrydale
June 2, 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Cherrydale Branch Library
2190 N. Military Road, Arlington, VA 22207
Music, history and reading come together in this musical story time, with a read-aloud of “The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music” by legendary Arlington musician Roberta Flack. The story will be accompanied by music performed by singer-songwriter Munit Mesfin, and kids will be given instruments to play along.
Free | library.arlingtonva.us
Marissa Meyer – We Could Be Magic – at Conn Ave.
June 3 & 5, 7-8 p.m. | Politics and Prose Bookstore
5015 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
Marissa Meyer, author of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series of young adult novels, will be discussing her debut graphic novel “We Could Be Magic” at this author talk and book signing. When Tabitha lands an internship at the theme park of her dreams, she finds that it’s anything but magical when she’s denied the role of a park princess.
Free; book can be purchased for $17.99 | politics-prose.com
Mini-Makers – Design Your Own Library Bag!
June 7, 3-4 p.m. | Kings Park Library
9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke, VA 22015
Customize a bag to carry the books you check out from the library at this casual crafternoon event for school-age children and their families. All art supplies are provided!
Free | fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/kings-park
Wild Reading
June 11, 11 a.m.-noon | Clearwater Nature Center
11401 Thrift Road, Clinton, MD 20735
Explore nature through reading at this monthly storytime series, where a park naturalist from Clearwater Nature Center will add additional context and science facts to a short story reading. This event also includes a hands-on craft and a guided tour around the nature center.
$4 for residents; $6 for non-residents | pgparks.com
Story Time at CJM: Pride
June 12, 10-11 a.m. | Capital Jewish Museum
575 3rd St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
Celebrate Pride Month at the Capital Jewish Museum by learning about the Jewish LGBTQ community! Children ages 5 and younger will be able to tour the new “LGBTJews in Federal City” exhibit, read pride-related books supplied by PJ Library, learn and sing along to new songs and more.
Free | capitaljewishmuseum.org
Dinosaur Storytime
June 18, 10:30-11 a.m.
7415 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, VA 22042
This storytime is about all things dinosaurs, including dinosaur-themed stories, rhymes and activities. The event will be followed by an open playtime.
Free | fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/thomas-jefferson
