Join us for Explore-a-Story!
Enjoy a fun-filled morning celebrating early literacy and the little things in life that bring us joy! Based on Monique Gray Smith’s book My Heart Fills with Happiness, this interactive event is designed for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers. Through stories, music, dancing, and hands-on activities, children will explore early literacy skills while reflecting on the things that make us happy.
Saturday, November 15, 2025
1:00 – 4:30 pm
Main Library – Community Learning Center
305 S Main St
South Bend, IN 46601
Schedule of Events
Immersive Storytelling
1:00 – 1:30 pm
Location: Ballroom A
Enjoy an immersive retelling of My Heart Fills With Happiness featuring the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi. Read, sing, and dance along with traditional indigenous music. Each child will receive a colorful scarf and shaker to use during the performance and take home (while supplies last).
Free Playtime
1:30 – 2:30 pm
Stations:
- Sensory Room Visit different sensory stations set-up around the room.
- Music Room Join Rhythm to you for a fun interactive drumming experience.
- Face Painter Rainbow expressions by Bianca joins us to offer free face painting to our guests!
- Imagination Playground Kids have the experience to build and play with the imagination playground big blue blocks. Create structures, free play, and more.
- Family Activity What fills your heart with happiness? Write down your favorite food, toy, memory, etc. and add it to our board.
- Reading Room Pick up your free copy of “My Heart Fills with Happiness” (while supplies last). Families will also have a relaxing area to settle down and read with their children.
Fischoff Musical Performance
2:30 – 3:30 pm
Location: Leighton Auditorium
Fischoff’s S.A.M. I Am, Stories & Music program, reinforces the joy of reading through the power of music. Enjoy an all-ages performance of A Bad Case of the Stripes by David Shannon, presented by Verona Quartet. The Quartet consists of violinists Jonathan Ong and Dorothy Ro, violist Abigail Rojansky, and cellist Jonathan Dormand. The ensemble’s performances flow from the spirit of storytelling.
Fischoff Activities and Book Signing
3:30 – 4:30 pm
Location: Ballroom
Enjoy hands-on activities inspired by A Bad Case of the Stripes, and take home a free copy of the book (while supplies last). Plus, don’t miss the chance to meet the talented musicians of the Verona Quartet!
