Local author Michael Hall will be at the Wild Rumpus on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. with his newest book Cat Tale – the video above is the trailer for the book.  (Did you know they make trailers for books now?). From word to word they find their way, Lillian, Tilly, and William J. Like this: [...]

Bell Museum is always free on Sundays between noon and 5:00 p.m..  Right now it has a couple exhibits that will really appeal to the dirty, bug-loving kid in all of us. Besides these special exhibits, you and your family can interact with the live amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates in the Touch and See room [...]

Open Streets at Penn Fest will be a big community gathering in Richfield on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Penn Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic from 63rd street to 76th street. The street will be filled with activity, including a kiddie parade, a balloon world and a BMX exhibition. Local author Nancy [...]

Stephen Shaskan, who will be at the Red Balloon Bookshop on Saturday at 10:30 a.m.,  is one person I would like to invite over for a dinner party.  He sounds like he would carry the party.  Not only is he an Author and Illustrator of  kids books, he is an musician, and educator and he [...]

Local Author Mary Losure will be at Wild Rumpus Books on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. with her book The Fairy Ring: Or Elsie and Frances Fool the World.   I’m very excited about this book.  It is recommended for age 10 and up, but I think as a read-out-loud, I can share it with my seven-year-old; and we [...]

TAKE YOUR LITTLE ONES ON SATURDAY On Saturday at 10:30, The Red Balloon Bookshop will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of On the Day You Were Born with a special storytime.  Minneapolis author and illustrator Debra Frasier wrote this book to celebrate every child’s birth. Storyteller Sara Waters will read the book and Ms. Frasier will be signing copies of [...]

On Saturday, Storyteller Sara Waters will be at The Red Balloon Bookshop reading the book Hop by local author Phyllis Root.  The book is illustrated by Holly Meade, a Caldecott Honor winner.  This is one of the few baby-oriented activities I post.  Sometimes when you have older ones, its easy to forget to include the [...]

Saturday is Free First Saturday at the Walker . Gallery admission is free for everyone on the first Saturday of each month from 10 am to 5 pm, with a variety of family activities scheduled from 10 am to 3 pm.  This month, activities include: Performance: Big Little Brother with local authors and illustrator Kevin Kling and Chris Monroe, Walker [...]

On Friday, March 23, 7:00 p.m., Author Brandon Mull will be at The Red Balloon Bookshop with Book Two of his Beyonders Series: Seeds of Rebellion.  If your kids enjoy this three-book New York Times bestselling fantasy series, they can find games and study information on Brandon Mull’s website. On Saturday, March 24, 10:30 a.m., [...]

The Red Balloon Bookshop will have a Peter Rabbit Storytime on Saturday at 10:30 a.m.  Listen to stories of the daring Peter Rabbit as he creates mischief, especially in his neighbor Mr. McGregor’s garden.   To take the fun home, you can visit the official Peter Rabbit site for games and activities and information on Beatrix Potter. Then, [...]

If you are our friend on Facebook, you know we have been impatiently awaiting Rock the Cradle, and that we are super excited about this years line up.  As always, this great day of music, art and literature (local author Kevin Kling will be there), is held at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the [...]

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory will celebrate Leap Year with a Leapin’ & Learning weekend from 10:00am – 2:00pm daily Saturday through Monday. Amphibians will be the focus of this long weekend of family fun. Programs will include crafts, story time, and a family scavenger hunt to locate amphibians throughout the Visitor Center and Conservatory. [...]

On Sunday, February 19th at 2:00 p.m., St. Paul author Tim Kehoe will be at The Red Balloon Bookshop to introduce his newest book, Vincent Shadow: The Top Secret Toys. Besides being an author, Tim Kehoe is a toy inventor — like the protagonist of his book.  He is the creator of the world’s first colored bubbles, Zubbles, which [...]

On Saturday at 2:00 p.m., author Catherine Clark will celebrate the publication of How Not to Run For President at The Red Balloon Bookshop. When the middle school band is called to play for a presidential campaign rally, Aidan is right there with his clarinet, just in time to save the candidate’s life. Interviewed by [...]

On Saturday at 10:30 a.m., local author Phyllis Root will be at the Red Balloon Bookshop with her book, Scrawny Cat.