Children's Newsletter May 2026

Printable May Children's Calendar at the bottom of the newsletter has been corrected to reflect May events & programs

The Pitkin County Library and all other County buildings will be closed Monday, May 25 in honor of Memorial Day.

New and Exciting Events at the Library

Summer Reading Kickoff Party
Galena Plaza
Friday, May 22 | 3:00pm-5:00pm

Join us for our annual Summer Reading Kickoff Party to celebrate the start of our Summer Reading Program, which runs from May 22 to August 7, 2026. Expect free food, games, and fun with our community partners as we celebrate the start of our beautiful summer season while you pick up your Summer Reading Program booklet! Booklets are available for all ages and the Library offers Summer Reading Prizes for participation throughout the program! Learn more at sign-up.

Pride Studio with the Aspen Art Museum
Dunaway Community Meeting Room

Monday, June 1- Friday, June 5 | 12:30pm-2:30pm

Celebrate love, friendship, and identity at Pride Studio: Art for All! From June 1 to 5, spark your imagination at the Pitkin County Library from 12:30 to 2:30 PM daily with vibrant, themed workshops where creativity comes alive through hands-on art activities! Participants will enjoy creating whimsical ribbon wands, dazzling paper crowns, vibrant pride banners, fun wearable tutus, and colorful rainbow flags. All materials provided, and no registration necessary—just drop by!

Pride Studio is a series of themed workshops aimed at celebrating love, friendship, and identity. These workshops are a collaborative program between the Aspen Art Museum and the Pitkin County Library.

Monday, June 1| 12:30pm-2:30pm

Ribbon Wands

Tuesday, June 2 | 12:30pm-2:30pm

Jeweled Crowns

Wednesday, June 3 | 12:30pm-2:30pm

Pride Banners

Thursday, June 4 | 12:30pm-2:30pm

Tutu Workshop

Friday, June 5 | 12:30pm-2:30pm

Colorful Flags

Youth Services Recommends...

Noelle (Children's Collection Developer)

Snow Foal

"A beautiful and heart-wrenching middle grade debut, this title is a memorable story, full of love, healing, friendship, and hope. When eleven-year-old Addie goes to stay with a foster family on a remote Exmoor farm in the midst of a very cold winter, she is full of hurt, anger and a deep mistrust of everyone around her. But when she rescues a tiny wild foal from the moorland snow, Addie discovers that perhaps she’s not so alone after all. And as adventure and unexpected friendship blossom, Addie is determined that both of them will know what it is to be home again soon…Author Susanne Bailey delivers a warm, evocative debut set in the natural world that’s sure to inspire readers who are eager for an adventure story about the healing bond between humans and their animal friends." (Peachtree Publishing)

Check out this book here...

Rachel (Young Adult Collection Developer)

The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles

"The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles was the second children’s novel ever written by Julie Andrews, the beloved star of Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music. Perfect for young readers who love whimsical stories about magic! The Whangdoodle was once the wisest, the kindest, and the most extraordinary creature in the world. Then he disappeared and created a wonderful land for himself and all the other remarkable animals—the ten-legged Sidewinders, the little furry Flukes, the friendly Whiffle Bird, and the treacherous, "oily" Prock. It was an almost perfect place where the last of the really great Whangdoodles could rule his kingdom with "peace, love and a sense of fun"—apart from and forgotten by people. But not completely forgotten. Professor Savant believed in the Whangdoodle. And when he told the three Potter children of his search for the spectacular creature, Lindy, Tom, and Ben were eager to reach Whangdoodleland. With the Professor's help, they discovered the secret way. But waiting for them was the scheming Prock, who would use almost any means to keep them away from his beloved king. Only by skill and determination were the four travelers able to discover the last of the really great Whangdoodles and grant him his heart's desire." (HarperCollins Publishers)

Check out this book here...

Ginny (Head of Circulation and After School Wednesdays Wizard Extraordinaire)

The Night Librarian

"Night at the Museum meets The Land of Stories in this thrilling new graphic novel adventure series in which two siblings, a mysterious Night Librarian, and a motley cast of book characters try to save the New York Public Library. Twins Page and Turner know about the magic a library holds—they’ve been going to their beloved New York City public library for years, especially since their parents are always traveling for work. But a secret mission involving their dad’s rare and valuable edition of Bram Stoker’s Dracula uncovers a world they’ve never known, featuring a mysterious Night Librarian, famous heroes (and villains) that have broken free from classic books, and an epic battle to save the library from total destruction." (Penguin Random House)

Check out this book here...

Shannon (Head of Youth Services)

Last Known Address: The Stumbling Stones of Europe

"Award-winning author Kathy Kacer tells thirteen stories of victims of the Holocaust and the modern memorials that mark their last known address.

Embedded into the cobblestones of Europe are Stolpersteine—stumbling stones. Carefully hand-chiseled with names and dates, these small, brass plaques make up the largest monument to the Holocaust in the world. Today, you can find over 100,000 stones across Europe. The Stumbling Stones Project was begun by artist Gunter Demnig as a way to remember that each victim of the Holocaust had a life that was terribly and tragically stolen. Each memorial plaque is placed outside the last voluntary address of the person—the homes from which they were arrested and often taken to concentration camps. Not all were Jewish, some were persecuted for being Romani, disabled, or queer, and not all shared the same fate. These stories include that of a resistance fighter, an art conservator, an Olympian, and the young Anne Frank. Take a journey around Europe to learn their stories." (Second Story Press)

Check out this book here...

Grace (Early Literacy Librarian)

Pete the Cat Screams for Ice Cream

"The Just Chillin' ice cream truck is coming today and Pete the Cat can't wait. He runs as fast as he can to find the truck. It's getting late, but his friends need his help. Will Pete take a little time out of his day to help his friends? Follow Pete the Cat as he learns that it's always cool to be kind." (Scholastic)

Check out this book here...

Lily (Young Adult Programming and Publicity Librarian)

Dungeon Club: Roll Call

"From New York Times bestselling author Molly Knox Ostertag and critically acclaimed illustrator Xanthe Bouma comes an all-new Dungeons & Dragons graphic novel series! Middle school is a dungeon… At least, that’s how Jess sees it. Luckily, she and her best friend Olivia know how to escape into the sprawling worlds of their own imaginations. The two friends have always loved making up stories, first with little kid games of make-believe, and more recently with the fantasy roleplaying game, Dungeons & Dragons. When they play, Olivia runs the game as Dungeon Master and Jess is the solo party member, playing a take-no-prisoners, lone-wolf fighter of her own design named Sir Corius. But when Olivia wants to add new players to their group, Jess finds herself struggling to share their game—and her best friend. Will their epic campaign withstand all this change, or has their adventure—and their friendship—finally come to an end?" (HarperCollins Publishers)

Check out this book here...

Sierra (Children's Programming and Publicity Librarian)

Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All

"New York Times bestselling author and artist Chanel Miller tells a fun, funny, and poignant story of friendship and community starring Magnolia Wu, a ten-year-old sock detective bent on returning all the lonely only socks left behind in her parents’ NYC laundromat—now in paperback! Down at the bottom of the tall buildings of New York City, Magnolia Wu sits inside her parents’ laundromat. She has pinned every lost sock from the laundromat onto a bulletin board in hopes that customers will return to retrieve them. But no one seems to have noticed. In fact, barely anyone has noticed Magnolia at all. What she doesn’t know is that this is about to be her most exciting summer yet. When Iris, a new friend from California, arrives, they set off across the city to solve the mystery of each missing sock, asking questions in subways and delis and plant stores and pizzerias, meeting people and uncovering the unimaginable. With each new encounter, Magnolia learns that when you’re bold enough to head into the unknown, things start falling into place." (Penguin Random House)

Check out this book here...

Ongoing Programming

Lego Nights at the Library
Children's Room

Friday, May 1 | 4:00pm-5:30pm

Join us on the first Friday of May for Lego building fun! Each month we will work as a team to complete a large Lego project. There will be solo build options available. All Lego will be provided by the Library.

After School Wednesdays

Children's Room

Wednesday, May 6 | 3:00pm-4:30pm

Mother's Day Gifts

Wednesday, May 13 | 3:00pm-4:30pm

Aspen Science Center

Wednesday, May 20 | 3:00pm-4:30pm

Explosions!

Welcome to After School Wednesdays, a time to create and relax with a new activity for school-aged children every week.

Dungeons & Dragons
Library Lab Classroom

Saturday, May 9 | 3:30pm-5:30pm

Become the hero of your own adventure! Join us on a magical journey where we'll rely on our wits, imagination, and teamwork to play Dungeons & Dragons. No experience necessary!

Campaigns are run by Library staff members. Recommended for players ages 12+.

1000 Books Before Kindergarten

Start healthy, early literacy habits by helping your child read 1,000 books before they start kindergarten! Sign up in person to receive an activity book and receive prizes for every 100 books read together.

Find out more...