Storytime on the Side Porch: Small Wonders, Big World!

Join us this June for Storytime on the Side Porch at Eudora Welty House & Garden as we explore this summer’s theme: Small Wonders, Big World!
Each Thursday at 3 p.m., we will discover the little things that make a big difference through picture books, hands-on activities, crafts, and visits from special guests in our community.
Designed especially for kids in grades K–5 and their caregivers, this free program takes place on the Welty House Side Porch and in the Welty Garage, with plenty of time to read, create, and explore together. Attend one session or join us all month long—no registration required. Just bring your curiosity and a sense of wonder.
Weekly Themes & Books
June 4 – Backyard Treasures
The treasures we find in our backyards may not be silver or gold, but they play an important role in keeping gardens and ecosystems healthy. Together, we’ll discover how animals big and small help our natural world thrive.
Books may include My Awesome Summer by Paul Meisel, Quiet in the Garden by Aliki, and Outside My Window by Bernice Rappoport
Guest Reader: Katie Tupy, Education Coordinator at MS Museum of Natural Science
June 11 – Art All Around Us
Nature surrounds us with color, texture, and inspiration. Join us as we create art inspired by the world around us and explore the many ways creativity can grow from nature.
Books may include The Dot by Peter Reynolds, Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson, and more!
Guest Reader: Christi Doucet, Local Artist
June 18 – Nature’s Tiny Helpers
Some of nature’s most important work is done by its smallest helpers. Learn how bees and other pollinators help plants grow and why they are essential to healthy gardens and ecosystems.
Books may include Give Bees a Chance by Bethany Barton, The Bumblebee Queen by Pulley Sayre, The Bees of Notre Dame by Meghan P. Brownie & E.B. Goodale, and The Honeybee Man by Lela Naragi
Guest Reader: Brian Lamb, Bubba’s Bees
June 25 – Stories We Share
Stories connect us across generations and help us share memories, ideas, and imagination. In our final week, we’ll celebrate storytelling and the ways stories bring people together.
Books may include Rocket Writes a Story by Tad Hills, Also an Octopus by Maggie Tokuda-Hall, and How to Write a Poem by Kwame Alexander & Deanna Nickaido