The American Library in Paris

Secret Society of Readers Book Club: Fantasy Reads (ages 8–12)
2026-05-10 16:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Paris) | The American Library in Paris
Children ages 8–12 are invited to bring a favorite fantasy novel to share with the group. Participants should come prepared to tell the group about the book, and to read a short passage—and to try to convince others to read the book without including any spoilers. Book-related activities and games will follow the discussion.
This event will be hosted by Assistant Children’s and Teens’ Services Librarian Laurine Lucie. This activity is entirely in English, and no translation will be provided. Children between the ages 8–12 may participate in Library programs on their own, while their chaperone remains inside the Library.
Important information: This event is for Library members, and advance registration is required. Caregivers are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons. Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children and Teens Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

Story Hour: We Love Our Grown-Ups (ages 3–5)
2026-05-13 14:30 - 15:30
For this program, join us for stories about great grown-ups: moms, dads, aunts, uncles, grandmas, grandpas, and other caregivers! Stories featured in this event include picture books such as In the Blue by Erin Hourigan, and Oh No, the Aunties Are Here! by Adam Rex and Lian Cho (pictured here). We’ll also sing songs and practice rhymes.
This program is entirely in English, and no translation will be provided. This participatory program is intended to encourage children to actively engage with stories. Children’s and Teens’ Services staff members will read books and lead you and your little one in songs and hand-rhymes during a live, interactive session. Plan to join in, sing along, move around, and model movement and listening for your little one. We ask that all caregivers put away their phones and other electronic devices for the duration of this program. With your help, we hope to inspire children to become lifelong readers!
Important information: This event is for Library members, and advance registration is required. Caregivers are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons. Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children’s and Teens’ Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

Mythical Monster Treasure Hunt (ages 4–12)
2026-05-16 11:00 - 12:00
Learn about monsters from mythology and then head into the Library stacks to find as many monsters as you can.
This activity is entirely in English, and no translation will be provided. All participants must be able to understand and speak English in order to participate in the program. Caregivers and parents of children ages 4–5 are required to participate in this event with their children. Children between the ages 6–12 may participate in Library programs on their own, while their chaperone remains inside the Library.
This event will be hosted by Children’s and Teens’ Services Manager Celeste Rhoads with the help of Library volunteers.
Important information: This event is for Library members, and advance registration is required. Caregivers are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons. Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children and Teens Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

Story Hour: Happy Birthdays (ages 3–5)
2026-05-20 14:30 - 15:30
For this program, join us for stories all about birthdays. Stories featured in this event include picture books such as When’s My Birthday? by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Christian Robinson (pictured here). We’ll also sing songs and practice rhymes. The Library is 106 years old, and we’ll sing happy birthday to the Library during this event!
This program is entirely in English, and no translation will be provided. This participatory program is intended to encourage children to actively engage with stories. Children’s and Teens’ Services staff members will read books and lead you and your little one in songs and hand-rhymes during a live, interactive session. Plan to join in, sing along, move around, and model movement and listening for your little one. We ask that all caregivers put away their phones and other electronic devices for the duration of this program. With your help, we hope to inspire children to become lifelong readers!
Important information: This event is for Library members, and advance registration is required. Caregivers are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons. Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children’s and Teens’ Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

Toddler Time (ages 1–3)
2026-05-21 11:00 - 11:30
This event for children ages 1–3 and their caregivers features 30 minutes of stories, songs, and rhymes. Stories presented during our Toddler Time programs include short picture books and board books such as Tuck Me In! by Dean Hacohen and Sherry Scharschmidt and The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? by Mo Willems (pictured here), which will be featured during this session.
Toddler Time sessions are hosted by Children’s and Teens’ Services staff members, and include age-appropriate stories selected by the Library’s Children’s and Teens’ librarians. Enjoy stories, music, movement and rhymes and help develop your child’s early literacy skills. Stay for play and social time after the event.
The program is entirely in English, as are all of our events for children and teens. No translation will be provided. Each child must be accompanied by an adult chaperone, and chaperones are required to remain with their children for the duration of the program. Parents and caregivers are expected to sit with their children beside them, or in their laps, and participate in the program. We ask that all caregivers put away their phones and other electronic devices for the duration of this program. With your help, we hope to inspire children to become lifelong readers! Important information: This event is for Library members, and advance registration is required. Caregivers are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons. Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children and Teens Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

Fracture Fairy Tales with author Robin Newman (ages 8–12)
2026-05-23 11:00 - 12:30
Join author Robin Newman for a reading of her book Who’s Writing This Story? and then talk about writing, revision, and crafting stories using fairy tales as a starting point. Participants in this workshop will begin crafting their own fractured fairy tales with guidance from Robin Newman.
This activity is entirely in English, and no translation will be provided. All participants must be able to understand and speak English in order to participate in the program. Caregivers and parents of young children are encouraged to participate in this event with their children. Children between the ages 8–12 may participate in this Library programs on their own, while their chaperone remains inside the Library.
About Robin Newman: Raised in New York and Paris, Robin is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College and the City University of New York School of Law. She was a practicing attorney and legal editor, but she now prefers to write about witches, mice, pigs, bears, and peacocks. She’s a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, National Writing Project’s Writers Council, Bank Street Writers Lab, Read Alliance Advisory Council, and PEN America, CYAB. She lives in New York with her husband, son, and two spoiled dogs.
Important information: This event is for Library members, and advance registration is required. Caregivers are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons. Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children and Teens Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

Bringing Stories to Life: A Conversation with Nikki Grimes and E.B. Lewis (ages 7–adult)
2026-05-29 18:00 - 19:30
Join award-winners, author Nikki Grimes and illustrator and fine artist E.B. Lewis, for a conversation about how their work brings historical figures to life and how research impacts their art as they create original works of historical fiction, fiction, and memoir. These two prolific creators of children’s literature will be together on stage for the first time for a conversation focusing on their individual works and as well as their collaborations: Stronger Than and Talking About Bessie: the Story of Aviator Bessie Coleman.
Books will be available for purchase at the Library, and Nikki Grimes and E.B. Lewis will be available to sign books.
Light refreshments will be provided by the Library.
About the speakers:
Nikki Grimes: New York Times bestselling author Nikki Grimes was inducted into the Black Authors Hall of Fame in 2023. Her honors include the CSK Virginia Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award, the ALAN Award for significant contributions to young adult literature, the Children’s Literature Legacy Medal, and the NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children. Author of the Coretta Scott King Award-winner Bronx Masquerade, and five Coretta Scott King Author Honors, she won the Printz Honor and Sibert Honor for her memoir Ordinary Hazards. Her latest titles include Garvey’s Choice:The Graphic Novel, a School Library Journal 2023 Best Book; Lullaby for the King, one of Book Riot’s 25 Best Christmas Books of All Time; and A Walk in the Woods, recipient of 8 starred reviews, and 11 Best Book listings for 2023, including the New York Times, NPR, and Smithsonian Magazine. Ms. Grimes lives in Corona, California. Find out more here.
E.B. Lewis: The award winning illustrator and fine artist, E.B. Lewis has illustrated over seventy books for children, including: Jacqueline Woodson’s 2004 Caldecott Honor Award Winner Coming on Home Soon; Five time Coretta Scott King winner Nikki Grimes’ Talking About Bessie; Jabari Asim’s New York Times 2016 Best Illustrated Book Award, Kirkus 2016 Best Illustrated Book Award, and the 2016 Golden Kite Honor Award, Preaching to the Chickens. Inspired by two artist uncles, as early as the third grade, Lewis displayed artistic promise. Beginning in the sixth grade, he attended the Saturday Morning Art League and studied with Clarence Wood. Lewis attended the Temple University Tyler School of Art, where he discovered his medium of preference was watercolor. Presently, E.B. teaches at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. He is also a member of The Society of Illustrators in New York City, and an artist member of Salamagundi Art Club of New York. In 2003, the Kerlan Collection at the University of Minnesota purchased a collection of original watercolors from E.B.’s first fifty children’s books. Today, his works are displayed in museums, owned by private collectors, and sold by art galleries throughout the United States and Europe. Find out more here.

Important information: This event is free and open to the public, and advance registration is required. The discussion will be available in person only. Please note this event will be in English and no translation will be provided. Attendees are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons. Attendance at this event constitutes permission for your photograph or video to be taken at the event and used by the American Library in Paris for marketing, promotional, pedagogical, or other purposes.

Saturday Series: Picture Puzzles (ages 6–12)
2026-05-30 11:00 - 12:00
Learn about hieroglyphics, rebus visual word puzzles, and more then create your own picture puzzles for others to solve.
This activity is entirely in English, and no translation will be provided. All participants must be able to understand and speak English in order to participate in the program. Children between the ages 6–12 may participate in Library programs on their own, while their chaperone remains inside the Library.
This event will be hosted by Children’s and Teens’ Services Manager Celeste Rhoads with the help of Library volunteers.
Important information: This event is for Library members, and advance registration is required. Caregivers are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons. Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children and Teens Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.
