Our Books Alive program features several visits per year by beloved children's book characters. At each event, there are stories read aloud, literacy activities, fun crafts and of course, periodic appearances by the characters. Kids are welcome to share a hug with each character and pose for photos.

All activities are included in standard paid admission. Online reservations and pre-paying admission is required.

Pete the Cat

Pete the Cat, that musical cat with four groovy buttons, will be visiting the Children's Museum of New Hampshire to greet young fans and help promote the love of reading!

Want to meet Pete the Cat? Simply reserve spots in the museum's morning (9am-Noon) or afternoon (1-4pm) play session that corresponds to the date of the Books Alive program you want to join - it's included with museum admission, and as always, free for Members

Friday, April 5, 10-10:30am >>

Friday, April 5, 2-2:30pm >>

Saturday, April 6, 10-10:30am >>

Saturday, April 6, 2-2:30pm >>

Special Members-Only Meet & Greet with Pete the Cat

Member-Only Meet & Greet: Saturday, April 6, 8:30-9am >>
Children's Museum of New Hampshire Members are invited to this special Meet & Greet with a costumed "Pete the Cat" character, one half hour before the museum even opens to the public. There will be one book reading during this member event at 8:45am. Available for free to all levels of CMNH Members, we just ask that you reserve your spots online, and present your ticket and Member Card when you arrive. Reserve online here >>

Recently, our beloved children's book characters couldn't visit the museum in person, so we recorded storytimes and museum staff lead us in crafts related to the books and characters. Those videos can be found here, on Facebook, or on our YouTube channel!

Thank you to our sponsors Eastern Bank Community Foundation, Piscataqua Savings Bank, Frisbie Memorial Hospital, Shaheen & Gordon, P.A., and Newburyport Bank Charitable Foundation.

Story Explorers

Story Explorers is a sponsored literacy program that the Children's Museum of New Hampshire brings virtually to Head Start centers in Strafford and Rockingham county. This free programs brings videos of storybook characters (same as Books Alive) to each center 3 times a year. Videos show Museum Educators reading stories alongside the characters and engaging children in book related activities. Each child receive a family of four free pass to visit the Children's Museum of New Hampshire, information about our EBT program and a free book at the end of the program. The program is a spin off of Books Alive and is sponsored by Eastern Bank, Newburyport Bank Charitable Foundation, and the Cambridge Trust Charitable Foundation.