Fall planning, you sneaky beast, you! The other week I was thinking about what to plan for the fall when school starts back up, so I asked my Twitter friends the following question:
And I have to say, ya’ll made it rain! There were so many ideas and blog posts thrown my way that I had to bring them all together in some way. But first, here’s why I think book character parties are a super awesome idea:
- They bring the focus back to the books. I’m completely over one-off craft programs that require no creativity or innovation.
- You can promote your collection – Read alikes, anyone? How about some non-fiction that would pair well with the book?
- You can include literacy based activities and the kids won’t even care because it is SO FUN.
- They draw on kid culture – What books are your kids interested in? What book won’t stay on your shelves? Start there.
So here is a round up of the amazing ideas everyone shared with me, plus some that I found on my own.
Alice in Wonderland
- Alice in Wonderland Party by What is Bridget Reading?
- Mad Hatter Tea Party by What is Bridget Reading?
American Girl
- An American Girl Afternoon by With Kiddos @ the Library
- American Girl Rebooted by Fat Girl Reading
- An American Girl Book Party by The (Mis) Adventures of a Midwestern Librarian
- Kitt Kittredge: An American Girl Event by What is Bridget Reading?
- Molly: An American Girl Event by What is Bridget Reading?
- Kirsten: An American Girl Event by What is Bridget Reading?
Babymouse
- Babymouse and Squish Program by Karen Choy at ALSC Blog
- I Love Babymouse Party by TweenStop
Captain Underpants
- Captain Underpants Program by Children’s Programming
- Captain Underpants Party by The BibliOBrien Blogs
- Captain Underpants Party by One Little Librarian
- Program in a Post: Captain Underpants Celebration by Heather Acerro at The ALSC Blog
Clifford
- Happy Birthday, Clifford by Libraryland
- Clifford and Amelia Bedelia Birthday Parties by Fat Girl Reading
- Happy Birthday, Clifford! by The Neighborhood Librarian
- Clifford the Big Red Dog Birthday Party by What is Bridget Reading?
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid Parties by Tiny Tips for Library Fun
- Get Wimpy @ Your Library by Literary Commentary
- Diary of Wimpy Kid Party by Bryce Don’t Play
- A DOAWK Book Launch Party by Bryce Don’t Play
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid Party by In the Children’s Room
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid Party by With Kiddos @ the Library
- Wimpy Station by Future Librarian Superhero
- My Diary of a Wimpy Kid Party is Over, but I’m Still Really Tired by The Magpie Librarian
- The Long Haul Wimpy Kid Party by In Short, I am Busy
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid Party by Read with Mich
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid Party: The Getaway by Sowing Seeds Librarian
Divergent
- Divergent Book Bash by The Loudmouth Librarian
- Divergent Movie Release Party by Wrapped Up in Books
- Divergent Program by Exploring the Dystopian Land
Dog Man
- Host a Supa Awesome Dog Man Party by Literary Commentary
- Dog Man Library Program Outline by Ontarian Librarian
- Dog Man Afternoon by Thomas Shalin on Jbrary
Dr. Seuss
- Seussapalooza!! by CarolSimonLevine – Program Palooza
- Dr. Seuss Celebration by In Short, I am Busy
- One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Storytime Katie
- Read Across America/Dr. Seuss Party by Intentional Storytime
- Kindergarteners Invade Again! A Dr. Seuss Celebration by The Neighborhood Librarian
- Dr. Seuss Celebration by So Tomorrow
- Seuss Celebration 2015 by So Tomorrow
- Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss! by Miss Julia’s Life in the Library
- Horton Hatches the Egg Program by The Neighborhood Librarian
- Seuss Celebration 2016 by So Tomorrow
- Dr. Seuss Party by What is Bridget Reading?
Fancy Nancy
- Fancy Nancy @ Your Library by Fat Girl Reading
- Fancy Nancy Science Party by Jane McManus
- Getting Fancy at the Library by Margo on the ALSC Blog
- Fancy Nancy Party by What is Bridget Reading?
- Fancy Nancy Christmas Party by What is Bridget Reading?
- Fancy Nancy Tea Party by CarolSimonLevine – Program Palooza
- Our Splendiferous, That Means Fabulous, Fancy Nancy Party by Reading with Red
- Fancy Nancy Soiree by The Neighborhood Librarian
- Fancy Nancy Party! by Library Lalaland
- Fancy Nancy Soiree by Read with Mich
Geronimo Stilton
- A Cheese-tastic Afternoon with Geronimo by Susan on the ALSC Blog
- Geronimo Stilton Series by Thrive After Three
- Book Club Activities by Born Librarian
- An Afternoon with Geronimo Stilton by Barb at Children’s Programming
Harry Potter
- Harry Potter Party! Library Program by The Unlikely Librarian
- Harry Potter Birthday Party by The Neighborhood Librarian
- Harry Potter Trivia Contest by Green Bean Teen Queen
- Harry Potter Party by What is Bridget Reading?
- ATLAS: Harry Potter Party by Miss Kelly at the Library
- Making Some Harry Potter Magic! by Literary Commentary
- Homeschool Hub: Wizards by Let the Wild Rumpus Start
- Harry Potter Day and Diagon Alley by Libraryland
- DIY Harry Potter Party by Pop Goes the Page
- Harry Potter Party 2017 by Miss Kelly at the Library
- Wand Works by Pop Goes the Page
- Harry Potter Party by Michelle on the ALSC Blog
The Hobbit
- A World Hobbit Day Birthday Party by Green Bean Teen Queen
- Homeschool Club: The Hobbit by Let the Wild Rumpus Start
The Hunger Games
- Feed Their Hunger for The Hunger Games by Teen Librarian Toolbox
- Hunger Games Teen Program by Creative Library Programs
- Teen Hunger Games Program by TeenSpace Blog
- Hunger Games Program Ideas by Jack Does Library School
- Hunger Games Party Ideas by Youth Services Corner
- Mockingjay Party by Tales From the Nerdy
- Hunger Games Day by The Loudmouth Librarian
I Survived
- I Survived the Library by Abby the Librarian
- I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916 by Bryce Don’t Play
- I Survived Program by Tween You & Me
- I Survived at the Library by The LibraryKart
Laura Numeroff
- Laura Numeroff Party by What is Bridget Reading?
- Mouse and Friends Party (Laura Numeroff) by What is Bridget Reading?
- If You Give…Numeroff Party for the School Age! by Thrive After Three
- If You Give a Cat a Cupcake by LibraryLaura
Lego
- Lego Chima and Pinewood Derby Party by Bryce Don’t Play
- Ninjago @ Your Library by Fat Girl Reading
- Lego Day at the Library by Abby the Librarian
- Lego Ninjago Party by The Neighborhood Librarian
Lunch Lady
- Lunch Lady Party by Literacious
- Lunch Lady Party by The Librarian is on the Loose
Magic Tree House
- Magic Treehouse @ Your Library by Fat Girl Reading
- Visit the Magic Tree House Library Program by Sara Truog
- Magic Tree House Adventures by Sturdy for Common Things
- Magic Tree House Library Party by Jennifer Johnson on Bryce Don’t Play
Mo Willems
- Elephant and Piggie Party by Tiny Tips for Library Fun
- Mo Willems Ideas by Thrive After Three
- Elephant and Piggie Day by Abby the Librarian
- Pigeon Celebrates 10 Years by Library Bonanza
- Elephant and Piggie Party (and Pigeon Too!) by What is Bridget Reading?
- Mo Willems Party by What is Bridget Reading?
- It’s a Pigeon Party! by Youth Services Shout-Out
- Kidding Around: Elephant and Piggie Party by Ms. Kelly at the Library
- Elephant and Piggie Party by Librarian vs. Storytime
- Don’t Let the Pigeon….Party by Literacious
- Mo Willems Party by Miss Meg’s Storytime
- Elephant and Piggie Party by The Librarian is on the Loose
- Elephant & Piggie Party by Intentional Storytime
- Elephant and Piggie Party by LibraryLaura
- Elephant and Piggie @ Your Library by Fat Girl Reading
- Elephant and Piggie Day! by The Fledgling Librarian
- The Pigeon Goes Back to School by The Buckeye Librarian
Percy Jackson
- Percy Jackson Party by The Show Me Librarian
- Percy Jackson Library Program Ideas by Chronicles of a Knaptime Knitter
- Percy Jackson Book Party by The (Mis) Adventures of a Midwestern Librarian
- Heroes of Olympus Party by Intentional Storytime
- A Percy Jackson Party by Skipping Through the Stacks
- The Sword of Summer Release Day Party by Getting Giggles
Pete the Cat
- Pete the Cat Party by Miss Meg’s Storytime
- Cause It’s All Gravy Baby with Pete the Cat by Library Bonanza
- Pete the Cat Party by What is Bridget Reading?
- Pete the Cat Play to Learn by Libraryland
- Pete the Cat and the Story Stones by Piper Loves the Library
- Pete the Cat Party by Libraryland
Pinkalicious
- Pinkalicious: The Pinkest Party of All by Abby the Librarian
- Pinkalicious and the Pinktastic Program by Library Bonanza
- Pinkalicious Party! by Library Lalaland
Rainbow Magic Fairies
- Rainbow Magic at the Library by Literary Commentary
- On Surviving a Rainbow Magic Fairy Party by erinisinire
- Rainbow Magic Book Club: Addison the April Fool’s Day Fairy by Storytime with Miss Tara and Friends
- Rainbow Magic Fairy Party by Playing the Hits
Stars Wars: Jedi Academy and Origami Yoda
- Star Wars: Jedi Academy and Star Wars Day by The Show Me Librarian
- Hosting a Star Wars Event at Your Library by Fat Girl Reading
- Star Wars Party by Kids Library Program Mojo
- An Origami Yoda Program by Z Before Y
- Star Wars @ Your Library by From the Liberry of…
- Star Wars Day by The Loudmouth Librarian
- Star Wars Origami by TweenStop
- Origami Yoda Program on ALSC Blog
- Star Wars Reads Day 2014 by Miss Colleen’s Corner
Winnie the Pooh
- Winnie the Pooh Party by What is Bridget Reading?
- Winnie the Pooh Party by The Neighborhood Librarian
- Winnie the Pooh Day Party by LibraryLaura
Other Awesome Ideas
- Big Nate at the Library by The Librarian is on the Loose
- Fairy Tale Bash by Green Bean Teen Queen
- Garfield Fans Unite by TweenStop
- Goosebumps Party! by The Neighborhood Librarian
- Happy 75th Anniversary Curious George by CarolSimonLevin
- Junie B. Jones Ideas by Jane McManus
- Mercy Watson Series by Thrive After Three
- My Little Pony @ Your Library by Fat Girl Reading
- -Ology Parties by Bryce Don’t Play
- Peter Rabbit Party by What is Bridget Reading?
- Princess in Black Party by In Short, I am Busy
- Thomas the Tank Engine by Library Bonanza
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Libraryland
- Warriors Program by Shellibrary’s Weblog
If I’ve missed a book character party you’ve written up somewhere, please leave a comment and I will add it in to this post. Or if you have any ideas for how to better organize the categories, let me know.
Happy fall planning!
Awesome post!! We’ve done:
Elephant & Piggie Day: http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2012/08/elephant-and-piggie-day/
Lego Day: http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2013/02/lego-day-at-the-library/
Pinkalicious: http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2012/01/the-pinkest-party-of-all/
Thanks, Abby! I’ll add them in now!
Wow! Amazing!! You have to link this to August’s Thrive Thursday blog hop. Amy (The Show Me Librarian) will be hosting! =)
Will do!
Great list! On top of the Pete the Cat program, I have also done Thomas the Tank Engine, Pinkalicious, and a Pigeon Party.
http://librarybonanza.com/big-character-programs/
Thanks, Kelsey, I’ll add them in!
American Girl
Kit Kittredge: http://whatisbridgetreading.blogspot.com/2014/06/kit-kittredge-american-girl-event.html
Molly McIntire: http://whatisbridgetreading.blogspot.com/2013/12/molly-american-girl-party.html
Kirsten Larson: http://whatisbridgetreading.blogspot.com/2013/07/kirsten-american-girl-event.html
Winnie-the-Pooh Party: http://whatisbridgetreading.blogspot.com/2014/02/winnie-pooh-party.html
Mouse & Friends Party (Laura Numeroff): http://whatisbridgetreading.blogspot.com/2013/11/mouse-friends-party.html
Peter Rabbit Party: http://whatisbridgetreading.blogspot.com/2013/07/peter-rabbit-party.html
Elephant & Piggie Party: http://whatisbridgetreading.blogspot.com/2013/04/elephant-piggie-party-and-pigeon-too.html
Alice in Wonderland Event: http://whatisbridgetreading.blogspot.com/2013/08/alice-in-wonderland-event.html
Mad Hatter Tea Party: http://whatisbridgetreading.blogspot.com/2013/07/mad-hatter-tea-party.html
Mo Willems Party: http://storytimebybridget.wikispaces.com/Mo+Willems+Party
Laura Numeroff Party: http://storytimebybridget.wikispaces.com/Laura+Numeroff+Party
Fancy Nancy
Regular Fancy Nancy: http://whatisbridgetreading.blogspot.com/2013/04/fancy-nancy-party.html
Fancy Nancy Christmas: http://whatisbridgetreading.blogspot.com/2013/12/fancy-nancy-christmas-party.html
Holy Moly, Bridget! I’ll add these in as soon as I get a chance!
Thanks for all these great links/ideas!
We’ve done Fancy Nancy, Dora and Diego, Elephant & Piggie, and have an upcoming “Picture Book Party” where my awesome colleague and I are going to celebrate the wonders of a variety of picture books/characters! Sadly, there are no blog posts to record these events, but I’m still hoping to start my own blog……now if I can just find that elusive 25th hour in the day!
Haha, I totally know what you mean Kary! Just let us know when you start your blog so we can add it to our blogroll. Your parties sound super amazing!
Thanks so much for linking to my blog! Looking forward to checking out all the other lovely resources! 😀
No problem – just found your Star Wars party when I was looking for links for our upcoming YAACing column. I added your Divergent party too – thanks for the heads up! As soon as I get two or more links for the same character I create a heading for it. Hopefully people keep sharing these posts so I can add and add 🙂
Pssst. We had a really great “Divergent” book party too: http://theloudmouthlibrarian.com/2014/03/18/divergent-book-bash/
Added it! Thanks for sharing such awesome programming.
Great resource — thanks for compiling! I look forward for using some of these ideas.
One’s I’ve done (and posted) are:
http://carolsimonlevin.blogspot.com/2014/06/fancy-nancy-tea-party.html
http://carolsimonlevin.blogspot.com/2014/03/seussapalooza-read-across-america.html
Thank you, Carol! I’ve added yours in!
awwww yeah. this list just made my day. And making the list just made my week! 😀
Can’t wait to read through all these, thanks for taking the time to gather them!! 🙂
Thanks for writing about your awesome programs!