American Library in Paris

Deadline to apply: 2026–2027 teen clubs
2026-07-31 22:00 (Europe/Paris) | The American Library in Paris
Do you want to know more about the behind-the-scenes life of the Library? Did you see a cool film made by a member of the Master Shot Film Club? Have you heard from a friend about how much their writing improved after joining the Teen Writing Group? Are you interested in working on your public speaking skills? Applications open on 1 March for all of the Library’s teen clubs (the Teen Advisory Group Group, Master Shot Film Club, the Teen Writing Group, and the Youth Leadership Program). Teens can apply via the online forms on the Library website. All applications are due by 31 July at 23h00, and an application is required for each individual club.

Teen Writing Group (open to Library members ages 12–18)
Meets one Saturday a month from 17h00–18h30

Master Shot Film Club (open to teens ages 12–18)
Meets one Saturday a month from 17h00–18h30

Teen Advisory Group (open to Library ages 12–18)
Meets one Friday a month from 17h00–18h30

The Youth Leadership Program (with Toastmasters) (for ages 14–18)
Meets one Friday a month from 19h00–21h00

Watercolor Postcards (ages 12–18)
2026-08-01 13:00 - 14:30 | The American Library in Paris
Join us for this creative workshop, and create a piece of art to send by mail while exploring different watercolor techniques. Each participant will be able to create up to three postcards to send to a friend or family member and the Library will post them.
Children and Teens Services Manager Celeste Rhoads and Library volunteers will lead this workshop. All abilities are welcome!
All supplies will be provided by the Library, as well as light snacks and drinks. Important information:
This event is free for Library members, and 15€ per teen for non-members. Advance registration is required. All visitors 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.

Children's Art and Stories with LeUyen Pham (ages 5–adult)
2026-08-08 11:00 - 12:00 | The American Library in Paris
Join us for an exciting event with the Library’s first Children’s Writer-in-Residence! Meet multi-award winning author and illustrator LeUyen Pham and find out about the creation of series such as The Princess in Black, Real Friends, and more. Following a presentation from LeUyen Pham, there will be a Q&A with the audience.
Books will be available for purchase at this event, and LeUyen Pham will sign books for her Parisian fans.
About LeUyen Pham: LeUyen Pham is the award-winning and critically acclaimed illustrator of more than one hundred books for children. LeUyen (pronounced Lay-Win) is the Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator of Bear Came Along by Richard Morris and Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang (an NPR Best Book of the Year). Along with Shannon Hale, Uyen has created several iconic children’s book series. With Shannon and Dean Hale, she created the middle grade series, Princess in Black and with Shannon, she created the groundbreaking graphic memoirs Real Friends, Best Friends, and Friends Forever. Most recently, Shannon and Uyen have written and illustrated the Itty-Bitty-Kitty-Corn picture book series. LeUyen Pham is the Library’s inaugural Children’s Writer-in-Residence. Find out more here.
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 of 6 and 11 may participate in a Library on their own, as long as a parent or guardian over the age of 18 is readily available on the Library premises. Participants are welcome to arrive early or stay after the program to chat with other readers, and to find new books in our collections. With your help, we hope to inspire children to become lifelong readers!
This event is free for Library members and 15€ per person for non-members.

Important information: The discussion will be available in person only. Please note this event will be in English and no translation will be provided. This event is for Library members, and advance registration is required. 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.

Pop-Up Library at Paris Plages
2026-08-20 12:00 - 18:00, 2026-08-21 12:00 - 18:00 | Bassin de la Villette — Quai de Seine, Bassin de la Villette, Paris, 75019, France
Pick up a book and take a break in the heart of Paris Plages with the American Library in Paris.
Created in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in France and presented as part of the City of Paris’s summer cultural programming and the America 250 celebrations, this open-air kiosk invites visitors to pause by the water and discover American literature.

Over 250 books will be available on-site, spanning adult, teen, and children’s collections—classic and contemporary American titles, English translations of French works, graphic novels, manga, magazines, and summer reads.
Beyond reading, the kiosk will offer family activities including coloring sheets, quizzes, and reading recommendations for all ages, and we will raffle two annual household memberships daily.
Visitors can also browse curated bibliographies exploring 250 years of the American Revolution and materials from the Library’s Summer Reading Challenges.

Come read, discuss, and travel through words in this vibrant tribute to American culture and Franco-American friendship!
Important information: Books may be consulted free of charge on-site with the temporary deposit of an ID. Children ages 0–8 must be accompanied by an adult. Event information on Que faire à Paris : Paris Plages 2026 : une bibliothèque éphémère aux couleurs de l’Amérique

LoFi and Chill: Card Games (ages 12–18)
2026-08-22 14:00 - 15:30 | The American Library in Paris
Learn card games played with a standard 52 card deck such as Golf, Kings in the Corner, and Liar, as well as classic cards games like Uno as you get to know other teens in the community.
This event will be hosted by Children’s and Teens’ Services staff members with the help of Library volunteers.
Light snacks and drinks will be provided by the Library. Important information:
This event is free for Library members, and 15€ per teen for non-members. Advance registration is required. All visitors 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.

Final Day: Read Across America Summer Reading Challenge
2026-08-29 12:00 | The American Library in Paris
The summer reading challenge for teen Library members (ages 12–18)
20 June–29 August 2026
Read books by these authors who are either from the US States listed*, or who write about them and win prizes!
Read two books by two different authors associated with different states to win a brand-new book.
Read five books by five different authors associated with five different states to win two brand new books and a pin.
Read ten books by ten different authors associated with ten different states to win two brand new books and a tote bag.
All participants will be entered into a grand prize drawing.
Print and fill out the Read Across America Summer Reading Challenge sheet and turn it in at the Children’s and Teens’ Services Desk at the American Library in Paris to collect your prize. All challenges must be submitted by 29 August at 12h00. Open to Library members only.
*There are many more American authors and illustrators than those listed, but only books by authors on this list count toward the summer reading challenge.

Free Write: A Creative Session (ages 12–18)
2026-08-29 14:00 - 15:30 | The American Library in Paris
Meet other writers in the community as you explore ways to jump start your creative writing. Begin a short story during this session, or bring in a project you are working on. There will be time to write and dedicated time to share and get feedback on your writing.
Children’s and Teens’ Services Manager Celeste Rhoads will facilitate this workshop. Teens interested in the Library’s Teen Writing Group are encouraged to attend this session, as this workshop will follow a similar format.
Light snacks and drinks will be provided. Important information:
This event is free for Library members, and 15€ per teen for non-members. Advance registration is required. All visitors 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.

Make It Last: A Mending Workshop with Ella Springer (ages 12–18)
2026-09-05 15:00 - 16:30 | The American Library in Paris
The practice of mending has existed for as long as we’ve been creating and wearing clothing. As fast fashion and even faster consumption become the norm, mending skills are slowly being forgotten between generations. In this workshop, participants will learn about what we wear, how we consume, and practice basic mending skills to make repairs to our clothing. Materials will be provided for practice, and you are also welcome to bring in your clothing items. Jeans are great for practice! Experienced crafters and novices are all welcome to join this event!
About Ella Springer: Ella Springer is an artist and designer originally from Michigan and currently based in Paris while completing her thesis at Parsons Paris. Through her work, she is on a mission to revive the skills and communities surrounding clothing repair and sustainable hand making practices. In today’s fashion culture these skills are more crucial than ever. With a needle and thread as a tool for change, Ella leads children to the joy of mending through workshops and creative activities. You can find out more about Ella here and follow her work here. Important information:
This event is free for Library members, and 15€ per teen for non-members. Advance registration is required. All visitors 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.

Black Artist Collective: A Traveling Showcase of Award-Winning Children's Book Authors and Illustrators (ages 5–adult)
2026-09-25 18:00 - 19:30 | The American Library in Paris
Join eight Black American authors and illustrators for an exciting evening of conversation about their books for children and teens! This evening event will feature short author readings, sneak peeks at the writing or illustrating process of each of the creators and a discussion about Paris as inspiration. Meet Paula Chase, Judy Allen Dodson, Sharon G. Flake, Ekua Holmes, E.B. Lewis, Ebony L. Mudd, Kelly Starling Lyons, and Tricia Elam Walker during this dynamic, and exciting event! The evening will wrap up with a book signing and reception with light refreshments and drinks.
All eight authors will sign books at this event, and books will be available for purchase at the Library.
This event is intended for children, teens, and adults ages 5+. 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.
This event is free and open to the public, and registration is required. 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.
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.

Important information: The discussion will be available in person only. Please note this event will be in English and no translation will be provided. This event is for Library members, and advance registration is required. 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.

Little People Big Dreams Day with Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara (ages 4–adult)
2026-10-03 11:00 - 12:30 | The American Library in Paris
Join Little People, BIG DREAMS creator and author Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara for a morning reading, then she’ll talk about the beginnings of the series, what inspires her, and what figures she might write about next. An audience Q&A will follow, with fun activity sheets and stickers for the audience to take away with them. Ms. Sánchez Vegara will sign books at this event, and books will be available for purchase at the Library.
About the author: About the author: Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara is the author and creator of the internationally best-selling series Little People, BIG DREAMS. Her books combine creativity with learning, aiming to establish a new and fresh relationship between children and pop culture. Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara, born in Barcelona, Spain, is a writer and creative director in constant search of new concepts for children’s books. Her books combine creativity with learning, aiming to establish a new and fresh relationship between children and pop culture. It took Maria Isabel almost 40 years and most of her savings to make her dream of publishing a book come true. In 2012, after 20 years of working in advertising, she self-published her first book. Two years later, she released what was meant to be a birth present for her twin nieces, Alba and Claudia: the very first title in the Little People, BIG DREAMS series. The series was first published in Spain as Pequeña & GRANDE by Alba Editorial, and now Little People, BIG DREAMS is translated into more than 40 languages.
This event is free for Library members and 15€ per person for non-members.

Important information: 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. Please arrive between 10h30–11h00 to check in for this event. Please note this event will be in English and no translation will be provided. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 may participate in a Library on their own, as long as a parent or guardian over the age of 18 is readily available on the Library premises, however caregivers are encouraged to attend and enjoy the event with their children. Participants are welcome to arrive early or stay after the program to chat with other readers, and to find new books in our collections. With your help, we hope to inspire children to become lifelong readers!
