For Children

 Bookscape Gallery

In addition to being part of the Department of Special Collections, the Cotsen Children’s Library has a public gallery and programs for children. Families are invited to relax and read in Bookscape, our whimsical gallery for children.

Our children’s gallery begins with a giant blue book and a garden of charming topiary animals. From there, the room unfolds in a succession of reading areas stocked with books. Stop and rest on a comfortable leather chair by the “Hearth of Darkness” fireplace. Continue on to a koi pond, a wishing well, a playful puppet theater, and a towering bonsai hollowed out for the ultimate reading experience.

You’re also welcome to join us at one of our story times, Saturday events, or workshops. We have online resources as well, including our BiblioFiles author interview program and Pop Goes the Page, our creative literacy blog for librarians, teachers, educators, and parents. Our gallery and our programs are open to the public and free of charge.

Our Gallery & Programs

Tiger Tales
You're invited to join us at our very special, very interactive story time. We begin with a picture book and end with a creative hands-on project to take home!
Every Friday 11:00am - 12:00pm. 
No fee, no registration required. 
Ages 3 - 5

Bookscape Babies
Cotsen’s smallest patrons are encouraged to get active, social, and build their vocabularies in a special play space in our gallery. Soft ramps, tunnels, and plush alphabet letters await!
Every Monday from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm 
No fee, no registration required
Ages 0 - 2

To Be Continued 
Pull up a pillow, relax, and listen! We'll read a chapter book to you over a series of weeks, and celebrate at the end with a cool project or activity. Best of all, you can work your way towards a book of your very own. Five visits = one brand new book of your choice!
Every Wednesday 3:45pm - 4:45pm 
No fee, no registration required.
Ages 6 - 8

First Draft
Would you like some constructive feedback on your writing? Try First Draft, our writing resource for authors-to-be. Simply submit your creative writing and personal essays via email, and Princeton University staff editors will offer their comments and suggestions. For submission guidelines and more information see the page for the First Draft program on the Cotsen website.  
Program runs from October - April
No fee, submission required. 
Ages 9 - 17

The BiblioFiles 
Dig a little deeper into the books you love to read with the BiblioFiles, our illuminating interviews with children's book authors. From award-winning bestsellers to books you might not have heard of but should definitely check out, hear what the authors have to say about their creations. To check out our recent guests and to access our year-round audio archive on the BiblioFiles page of the Cotsen website. 
No fee, no registration required.
All ages

Special Events 
Listen to an original Grimm tale, be amazed at the chemistry behind Harry Potter, craft a custom pop-up book, visit the number mines of Digitopolis, or learn to speak the high language of Tolkien's elves! Our workshops, events, and performances are listed on the Special Events Page.
No fee, registration may be required. 
Ages vary 

Annual Writing Contest

350 for 50 
Ready writers? We challenge you to write a short, 350-word story that includes a sentence of our choosing! Winning stories will be illustrated and published on our creative blog, and authors will receive a whirlwind $50 shopping spree at Labyrinth Books. The contest occurs in the spring and is announced on the Special Events page.
No fee, registration is required. 
Ages 9 - 14

Creative Blog

Pop Goes the Page 
Know a teacher, librarian, parent, or friend who is looking for some creative literacy connections? Look no further than Pop Goes the Page, our fantastic outreach blog full of projects, instructions, helpful hints, and new ideas galore!

School Programs

Time Travel 101
From Medieval manuscripts to a WWII soldier’s jacket, history has never been so close! Introducing Time Travel 101, a free program that allows teachers to bring resources directly to their 4-12 classrooms, complete with classroom guides created with brevity and flexibility in mind. The materials are also available digitally as downloadable and printable pdfs. For more information, visit the Time Travel 101 page of the Cotsen website.