Storytimes near Pennington Free Public Library

Pennington Public Library, 30 North Main St, Pennington, NJ, 08534, United States

Summer Art Series for Teens & Tweens Thursdays, 6/25/26, 7/9/26 and 7/23/26, 2pm @ PPL Registration required for each class. Join us for a three-part series of tactile, maker-focused art workshops designed specifically for teens & tweens. Each one-hour independent session focuses on a distinct medium. Participants will learn practical processes and design techniques while using high-quality materials to create functional, durable projects. Attend one, or join us for all three. No prior experience required. Class 2: Thursday, 7/9/26 @ 2pm: Beaded Prism Suncatchers Design and build a structural hanging suncatcher. Working with jewelry findings, metallic accents, glass spacers and a heavy glass crystal prism, you will learn basic assembly layout and connection techniques. When hung in a window, the glass prism refracts direct sunlight to project rainbows across the room. Registration required: https://summerartseries2.eventbrite.com Sponsored by the Friends of the Pennington Public Library and a Pennington Day grant.

Zoom, NJ, United States

Small Towns and Big Secrets: In Conversation with Bestselling Author Karin Slaughter International and New York Times Bestselling Author of Pretty Girls, the Will Trent series, and The Good Daughter Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at 7 PM See More and Register Join us for a thrilling evening with acclaimed author Karin Slaughter as we chat about her North Falls series, consisting of We Are All Guilty Here, in which two teenage girls vanish in rural Georgia, and her upcoming sequel, The Secrets We Hide. In The Secrets We Hide, Slaughter welcomes readers back to North Falls. A small town with big secrets… 1601 Iris Drive looks like any other house on the quiet, residential street. But rumors are rampant about the Vickery family, and what goes on behind closed doors. When gunshots ring out, Sheriff Emmy Clifton and her sister, ex-federal agent Jude Archer, discover a devastating crime scene. Allison Vickery has been murdered in her own kitchen, and her teenage daughter is bleeding upstairs, left for dead. Everyone thinks they know what happened. But secrets are buried everywhere in this small town. And it’s up to Emmy Clifton to uncover the truth… About the Author:  Karin Slaughter is one of the world’s most popular storytellers. She is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 25 novels, including the Edgar nominated Cop Town, and standalone novels Pretty Girls and False Witness. An international bestseller, Slaughter is published in 120 countries with more than 40 million copies sold across the globe. Pieces of Her, based on her novel, debuted at #1 worldwide on Netflix as an original series in 2022. Her bestselling thriller series, Will Trent, is now a television and streaming sensation in its 4th season. The Good Daughter has been adapted into a limited series starring Rose Byrne and Meghann Fahy, and further projects are currently in development for film/TV.  Karin Slaughter is the founder of the Save the Libraries project—a nonprofit organization established to support libraries and library programming. A native of Georgia, she lives in Atlanta. Brought to you in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium. Sponsored by a generous donation from the Pennington First Aid Squad.

Pennington Public Library, 30 North Main St, Pennington, NJ, 08534, United States

Wednesdays* @ 10:30 am *except the last week of each month Join us in the children’s area for our family story time, where we enjoy stories, music and more! No registration required. Please check our website for updates. Visit our page featuring a curated list of Virtual Story Times and Crafts

Pennington Public Library, 30 North Main St, Pennington, NJ, 08534, United States

Cooks & Books: Tea Rex! Thursday, July 16, 2026 @ 2PM Location: Pennington United Methodist Church, 60 S Main St, Pennington, NJ 08534 Registration required: https://stickyfingerscooking.com/school-programs/central%20new%20jersey/pennington-public-library-cooks-books-july-16-2026 Spark the imagination of your favorite young chef in this hands-on literary and culinary experience! First, we will read Tea Rex by Molly Idle. Then we’ll cook up a recipe inspired by the book- orange cardamom cupcakes and orange chai cream soda! Recommended for ages 5-10. Registration required. When registering, please indicate if your child has any dietary restrictions.  About Our Presenter: Sticky Fingers Cooking has been guiding young chefs since 2011. They offer cooking classes and camps both in-person and online. Visit stickyfingerscooking.com to learn more! Sponsored by the Friends of Pennington Public Library and a Pennington Day grant.

Zoom, NJ, United States

Migrant Heart: The Hidden Cost of the American Dream and Healing Through Storytelling with Reyna Grande Award-Winning and Bestselling Author of The Distance Between Us and A Dream Called Home Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 2 PM See More and Register In her ambitious new memoir, Migrant Heart: Essays About Things I Can’t Forget, beloved bestselling author Reyna Grande illuminates the hidden cost of the American Dream and the complex journey of healing that follows survival. What is the true power of stories? Can they heal the jagged edges of a traumatic childhood? Is the cost of telling the story worth the price of the cure? With her signature blend of sophistication and raw honesty, Grande interrogates how living between two nations, two languages, and two identities has shaped the woman, mother, and writer she has become. Moving from the legacy of violence in her hometown of Iguala, Mexico, to a bittersweet family vacation in Europe spent reconciling her own impoverished past with her children’s world of abundance, she uncovers startling truths about the nature of survival. Whether being racially profiled in the Arizona borderlands or finding unexpected wisdom from the slugs in her garden, Grande unflinchingly asks: How do we bridge the gap between who we were and who we have become? How do we turn pain into power? When memory threatens to define us, how can we use story to heal while still honoring our boundaries? About the Author:  Reyna Grande is an award-winning author, motivational speaker, and writing teacher. As a young girl, she crossed the US–Mexico border to join her family in Los Angeles, a harrowing journey chronicled in The Distance Between Us, a National Book Critics Circle Award finalist. Her other books include the novels A Ballad of Love and Glory, Across a Hundred Mountains, and Dancing with Butterflies, the memoirs Migrant Heart, The Distance Between Us: Young Readers Edition, and A Dream Called Home, and the anthology Somewhere We Are Human: Authentic Voices on Migration, Survival, and New Beginnings. She lives in Woodland, California, with her husband and two children. Visit ReynaGrande.com for more information. Brought to you in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium. Sponsored by a generous donation from the Pennington First Aid Squad.

Pennington Public Library, 30 North Main St, Pennington, NJ, 08534, United States

Wednesdays* @ 10:30 am *except the last week of each month Join us in the children’s area for our family story time, where we enjoy stories, music and more! No registration required. Please check our website for updates. Visit our page featuring a curated list of Virtual Story Times and Crafts

Pennington Public Library, 30 North Main St, Pennington, NJ, 08534, United States

Read to a Therapy Dog Wednesday, July 22, 2026 from 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm at PPL  Registration opens 7.1.2026: https://readtodogjuly26.eventbrite.com  Young readers can sign up for a 15-minute reading session with Tiny, the Therapy Dog! Studies show that children who read aloud to dogs or cats on a regular basis improve their reading skills and develop a love of reading. Tiny Dog can’t resist a good book and a cuddle, so she’s bound to love it too! Recommended for ages 5-10. Registration required.  NOTE: Many patrons like to share their 15-minute slot with family members or friends. This works well and helps more people get the opportunity to meet Tiny. We can accommodate up to 4 people per ticket (total- including adults and participants).

Zoom, NJ, United States

Five Wishes: Aging with Dignity Wednesday, July 22, 2026 @ 7 PM via Zoom Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/jaXRXqrrQCSbSkzzjdKxLw Join us to learn more about advance care planning and how to give the gift of conversation to the important people in your life.  ✓ Learn how to have advance care planning conversations with your children, your parents, or other loved ones. ✓ Learn about picking the right person to speak for you when you cannot communicate for yourself due to a health crisis. ✓ Receive a free Five Wishes document that will help guide you through all the steps and considerations, and become a legally valid advance directive when completed and signed. ✓ Learn why updating your documents is important as life situations change.                                   Most people think it is important to talk about                                                  their end-of-life care wishes                                                                    –but–                                   Most people have not had these conversations.                                                                Have you?  Presented by Paul Knight, Five Wishes Certified Presenter Presented in collaboration with Hopewell Valley Senior Services

Pennington Public Library, 30 North Main St, Pennington, NJ, 08534, United States

Summer Art Series for Teens & Tweens Thursdays, 6/25/26, 7/9/26 and 7/23/26, 2pm @ PPL Registration required for each class. Join us for a three-part series of tactile, maker-focused art workshops designed specifically for teens & tweens. Each one-hour independent session focuses on a distinct medium. Participants will learn practical processes and design techniques while using high-quality materials to create functional, durable projects. Attend one, or join us for all three. No prior experience required. Class 3: Thursday, 7/23/26 @ 2pm: Glass Mosaic Coasters In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics of mosaic-making by designing and piecing together your own custom coaster. We will explore how to arrange colorful glass and tiles into beautiful geometric patterns on a solid wood base, secure your layout and finish it into a smooth, polished piece. You’ll handle every step from the initial design to the final grouting, leaving with a beautiful, handmade addition to your desk or coffee table. Registration required: https://summerartseries3.eventbrite.com Sponsored by the Friends of the Pennington Public Library and a Pennington Day grant.

Zoom, NJ, United States

The Power of Connection: Creating Lasting Friendships in an Increasingly Lonely World with Dr. Marisa Franco Psychologist, Professor, and New York Times Bestselling Author Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at 2 PM See More and Register Join us in virtual conversation with bestselling author Dr. Marisa Franco, one of the world’s leading experts in human connection. Her book, Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make–And Keep–Friends, explores the science of different attachment styles and how they impact our relationships–often in ways we don’t realize! How do we make and keep friends in an era of distraction, burnout, and chaos, especially in a society that often prizes romantic love at the expense of other relationships? In Platonic, Dr. Marisa G. Franco unpacks the latest, often counterintuitive findings about the bonds between us—for example, why your friends aren’t texting you back (it’s not because they hate you!), and the myth of “friendships happening organically” (making friends, like cultivating any relationship, requires effort!). As Dr. Franco explains, to make and keep friends you must understand your attachment style—secure, anxious, or avoidant: it is the key to unlocking what’s working (and what’s failing) in your friendships. Making new friends, and deepening longstanding relationships, is possible at any age—in fact, it’s essential. The good news: there are specific, research-based ways to improve the number and quality of your connections using the insights of attachment theory and the latest scientific research on friendship. Platonic provides a clear and actionable blueprint for forging strong, lasting connections with others—and for becoming our happiest, most fulfilled selves in the process. About the Author:  An enlightening psychologist, New York Times bestselling author, and TED speaker, Dr. Marisa G. Franco is known for digesting and communicating science in ways that resonate deeply enough with people to change their lives. Dr. Franco is a professor at The University of Maryland, writes about friendship for Psychology Today, and has been a featured connection expert for major publications like The New York Times, The Telegraph, and Vice. She speaks on belonging at corporations, government agencies, non-profits, and universities across the country, including HarperCollins Publishers, Cisco, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and The Department of State. Brought to you in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium. Sponsored by a generous donation from the Pennington First Aid Squad.

Pennington Public Library, 30 North Main St, Pennington, NJ, 08534, United States

Wednesday, July 29, 2026 @ 2PM Afternoon Movie & Lego Playtime Registration required: https://indominusrex.eventbrite.com Come in and cool down with us as we watch this short animated movie,  LEGO Jurassic World: The Indominus Escape, followed by play time with our huge LEGO collection!  Movie synopsis: When the founder of Jurassic Park accidentally destroys one of the park’s main attractions, he recruits his trusted scientists to come up with a solution. They create an amazing dino-hybrid called the Indominus Rex- the smartest, biggest and scariest hot dog-loving creature ever created! When the Indominus eats all the hot dogs and escapes from its pen in a hungry rage, they turn to talented dinosaur trainer Owen Grady to save the day in this epic, action-packed short movie. Unrated. Run time: 24 minutes Sponsored by the Friends of Pennington Public Library and a Pennington Day grant.

Zoom, NJ, United States

Make Protein Goals Easy (and Satisfying!) with Dietitian Rachael DeVaux New York Times Bestselling Author, Dietitian, Mom, and Founder of Rachael’s Good Eats Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at 2 PM See More and Register Join us for an energizing virtual conversation with Rachael DeVaux, New York Times bestselling author of Rachael’s Good Eats. Her newest book, The High Protein Plate, shows how anyone at any stage of life can easily incorporate protein into their diet. From Buffalo Chicken Baked Tacos and Honey Blackberry Overnight Oats to Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Pasta, these satisfying and simple meals are made for everyday life. Getting enough protein is essential. It’s needed for health and strength at every stage of life. The more protein you eat, the more satisfied, energized, and resilient you’ll feel. It builds muscle, fuels hormones, and supports every organ.   The High Protein Plate includes the following: – 100 high-protein, craveable recipes for packing protein from breakfast through dessert. – Straightforward guidance on how much protein you really need—and why it matters. – Macros for every recipe, so you can easily track what’s best for you. – Confidence to plan and prepare balanced, purposeful meals. – Meal prep tips to set you up for success all week long. – A 28-day plan to help get you started and stay on track.   Whether you’re focused on building lean muscle, balancing blood sugar, boosting energy, or just feeding your family well you need protein. The High Protein Plate makes it simple—and delicious to get enough every day. About the Author:  Rachael DeVaux is the author of the instant New York Times bestseller Rachael’s Good Eats. A registered dietitian, certified personal trainer, and entrepreneur, she has built a loyal audience of over a million people through her website and Instagram by sharing practical, science-backed guidance on food, fitness, and feeling good. She lives in Seattle, Washington, with her husband and young son. Visit RachaelsGoodEats.com to learn more. Brought to you in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium. Sponsored by a generous donation from the Pennington First Aid Squad.

Zoom, NJ, United States

Dragons, Castles, and an Irresistible Princess Bent on Revenge with Katherine Rundell International Bestselling and Award-Winning Author of Impossible Creatures, 2024 Author of the Year Thursday, July 30, 2026 at 2 PM See More and Register 45-Minute Conversation Katherine Rundell’s award-winning Impossible Creatures soared to instant stardom, quickly earning the spot as one of the most popular children’s fantasy books in the 2020s. Now you can tune-in online to hear directly from the author (and ask your own questions about Christopher and Anya’s adventures) as we dive into the sequel, The Poisoned King! Christopher Forrester woke to find a dragon chewing on his face—and his heart leapt for joy! He’d been dreaming of going back to the Archipelago, the secret cluster of islands where all the creatures of myth still live, and here was his summons. But there is a poison spreading in the Archipelago. Rooting it out will involve a daring rescue mission on the back of a sphinx, a stealthy entrance to a dragon’s lair, and a death-defying plan to save a prisoner held in the heart of a castle. At the center of this storm is Anya: a small girl with a flock of birds at her side, a new-hatched chick in her pocket, and a ravenous hunger for justice. Katherine Rundell’s second thrilling installment in the Impossible Creatures series involves castles, dragons, and revenge—the things of which great stories are made. The splendors within are brought to life with fifty illustrations, including a map and a bestiary of magical creatures. About the Author:  Katherine Rundell is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Impossible Creatures and The Poisoned King. Her other books for children include Rooftoppers, Cartwheeling in Thunderstorms, The Wolf Wilder, The Explorer, and The Good Thieves. For adult readers, Rundell has written Vanishing Treasures: A Bestiary of Extraordinary Endangered Creatures and Super-Infinite: The Transformations of John Donne, which won the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction. She has received the British Book Award for Book of the Year and Author of the Year. She grew up in Zimbabwe, Brussels, and London, and is currently a Fellow of St. Catherine’s College, Oxford. Brought to you in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium. Sponsored by a generous donation from the Pennington First Aid Squad.