This summer, Kidzu is prioritizing literacy and bridging the learning loss gap caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the summer slide by hosting twice daily story times, showcasing local authors, word makers and storytellers, and offering a range of multicultural and multilingual readings!

This literacy initiative will culminate in The Questioneers traveling exhibit, featuring some of our favorite characters' — Ada Twist, Scientist; Rosie Revere, Engineer; Iggy Peck, Architect; Sofia Valdez, Future Prez; Aaron Slater, Illustrator — arrival at Kidzu in September. Stay tuned for details!

Summer Story Times

Tuesdays

11 AM | Stories & Songs, Kidzu's Forest Theater

4 PM | Musical Tales, Kidzu's Forest Theater

Wednesdays

11 AM | M is for Mandarin, Kidzu's Forest Theater

4 PM | Sensory Friendly, Kidzu's Forest Theater

Thursdays

10 AM | Nature Narratives, Kidzu's Learning Garden

4 PM | Bookworm Buddies, Kidzu's Forest Theater

Fridays

11 AM | Stories & Songs, Kidzu's Forest Theater

4 PM | Black Voices, Kidzu's Forest Theater

Saturdays

11 AM | World Cafe, Kidzu's Learning Garden

4 PM | Bookworm Buddies, Kidzu's Forest Theater

Sundays

2 PM | Sensory-Friendly, Kidzu's Forest Theater

4 PM | M is for Mandarin, Kidzu's Forest Theater

Featured Special Guests

Pierce Freelon

Pierce Freelon is a GRAMMY® nominated musician, author, and educator from Durham, North Carolina. Pierce has traveled the world teaching Hip Hop and music production as co-creator of Beat Making Lab, an Emmy Award-winning PBS web-series. He is the writer, composer and co-director of the animated series History of White People in America, an official selection of the Tribeca Film Festival. Pierce is also the founder of Blackspace, an Afrofuturism digital maker space for Durham youth. Pierce joined Kidzu at our June garden party and read his new book, "Daddy Daughter Day."

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Shanté Adams

Shanté Adams is an ASCP-Certified Scientist with a background in Molecular Biology testing. She became a mother later in her scientific career and was inspired by motherhood to become a children's book author to share funny stories about my family. She aims to share positive, family-oriented stories that teach life values in a fun way. Her books provide little ones stories to follow and give representation to children that look like her daughter. Shanté is hosting readings at various Black Voices story times offered at the museum as well as at our July and August garden parties.

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Rodney Hill

Rodney Hill is the Company Manager and Director of Rennie Harris Puremovement and Rennie Harris R.H.A.W. Born and raised in the tough streets of North Philadelphia, he entered the hip hop scene in 1988. For over a decade, Rodney has performed on stages nationally and abroad. He has been featured in many videos for such artists as Boyz II Men, Will Smith, and Music Soul Child, just to name a few. Rodney has also performed on TV shows such as L.A. R&B Divas, NBC’s Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Soul Train, NBC’S NFL Under The Helmet, and BET Teen Summit. Rodney provided storytelling through dance, leading a hip hop workshop at Kidzu in July.

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Baba McDaniel Roberts

Baba McDaniel Roberts, is a native of Durham, NC. Currently, Baba McDaniel is the Dance Teacher @ Community School of Digital and Visual Arts in Durham, NC, Artistic Director of the The Harambee Collective, Co-Director of Baba's Rising Sons, and Assistant Artistic Director of the African American Dance Ensemble. Baba McDaniel is also the 2016 recipient of the Durham Arts Council's Emerging Artist Grant in Dance. Baba McDaniel pays homage to his Dance Father, the late Baba Chuck Davis and all the ancestors of greatness. His mantra: “Believe in Yourself, Keep the Faith, and Don't Give Up". Baba will be offering storytelling through dance as he leads an African dance session at the museum in August.

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Dalia Marquez

Dalia is a sophomore double majoring in music and psychology at UNC. She hopes to become a music therapist in the future with a specific interest in working with kids with developmental disabilities. Dalia is an intern at Kidzu through APPLES, a student-led service-learning program at UNC that seeks to bridge academic learning and public service. She is excited to be working with kids and developing relationships with them as she learns to how to further integrate her career interests with giving back to her community. Dalia provides beautiful music at a variety of Kidzu's programs, including our monthly garden parties this summer.

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