ART

LITTLE LIT An exhibit at the Brooklyn Public Library’s central branch features illustrations from the Hunt Collection of Children’s Literature. The display includes approximately 7,000 juvenile books, pamphlets, and periodicals dating to the 1720s. Included are rare children’s texts written and illustrated by people affiliated with Brooklyn. The collection includes a selection of unusual international fairy and folk tales. Through January 30, Tuesday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Brooklyn Public Library, Central Library, grand lobby and youth wing, Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, 718-230-2100, free.

GROWING GROWLERS “Hear Me Roar!” is an art program for children ages 2 to 4 that helps them learn about the animal kingdom. Participants listen to a story book, make silly animal noises, and create their own imaginary creatures. The event is part of ArtSmart Adventures’ “Speak See Do” programs, designed to help children build visual, verbal, and social skills through art and stories. Today, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. 2-year-olds, noon and 3 p.m. 3-year-olds, 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. 4-year-olds, American Museum of Natural History, 79th Street and Central Park West, 212-595-4444, $40 children with caretakers, $20 adults, registration required.

BOOKS

LITTLE BROTHER GROWS UP Mayor Ed Koch and his sister, Pat Koch Thaler, sign copies of their children’s book, “Eddie: Harold’s Little Brother” (Grosset & Dunlap). Saturday, 2 p.m., Bank Street Bookstore, 610 W. 112th St. at Broadway, 212-316-7026, free.

FESTIVALS

KING OF NEW YORK Borough boosters can 551 1792 688 1802492 1805 521 1815celebrate Brooklyn at a festival this weekend. Attendees can see colorful West Indian day parade costumes, hear stories about “the old days,” watch a double-dutch jump-roping troupe, and taste the best pizza around. Sunday, 1-5 p.m., Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. at St. Mark’s Avenue, 718-735-4400, $4 general, members free.

FILM

TREASURE AND WAR The Reel Moms film series, which welcomes children of all ages with their parents, screens “National Treasure” (tomorrow, 11 a.m. screening, Loews 34th Street, 316 W. 34th St., between Eighth and Ninth avenues, 212-244-8850) and “Alexander” (tomorrow, 11 a.m., 1538 Third Ave., between 86th and 87th streets, 212-876-2111). All screenings: $8.99 general, free for children under 2. See www.enjoytheshow.com/reelmoms for more information.

HOLIDAYS

HIGHLAND HOLIDAY The Christmas Revels features music, dance, and storytelling based on the Christmas and Winter Solstice traditions of 18th-century Scotland. The fully staged and costumed production includes fiddling and piping, the poetry of Robbie Burns, mysterious stories, dancing in the aisles, and a performance by the Goloshins Guisers mummers. Before the first Saturday performance, children ages 4 and older can come early to get a behind-the-scenes peek at the show (Saturday, 11 a.m., $10-$20 general, $7-$15 children). Friday, 8 p.m., Saturday, 2 and 8 p.m., Sunday, 2 and 6 p.m., Symphone Space, Peter Jay Sharp Theatre, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, 212-864-5400, $32-$42 general, $21-$31 children.

MUSEUMS

DEAR DORA An interactive exhibit featuring the popular Latina cartoon character Dora the Explorer opens this weekend at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan. Best known to preschool fans of the television show of the same name, Dora leads children through six stops in the exhibit. A rainforest maze includes the chance to play hide and seek, a number pyramid contains puzzles and hieroglyph games, and a bridge-building area provides handson fun. Dora’s monkey friend, Boots, gets his own tree house, and an animal rescue center teaches children about rainforest animals. Finally, Dora’s house – which she shares with her parents – helps visitors learn some basic Spanish. Opens Saturday, Wednesday-Sunday,10 a.m..-5 p.m., Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 W. 83rd St., between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue, 212-721-1223, $8 general, $5 seniors, free for children under 1.

MUSIC

SEUSS TUNES The “Great Performers” series at Lincoln Center launches the “Family Musik” series this weekend. The program, “Green Eggs and Hamadeus,” pairs a piece written by host Rob Kapilow’s piece based on a Dr. Seuss classic with Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.” Upcoming programs include “Peter and the Wolf” with the Pickle Shoes dancers (February 5) and another Seuss-inspired work, “Gertrude McFuzz,” paired with Stefan Wolpe’s “Lazy Andy Ant” (March 5). Saturday, 2 and 4 p.m., Lincoln Center, Alice Tully Hall, 65th Street and Broadway, 212-721-6500, $25.

MONKEY MEN The Funkey Monkeys are a children’s band created by “Dora the Explorer” composer Joshua Sitron who sing and act out silly stories for children ages 2 to 9. The simian singers perform at Makor this weekend. Sunday, 1 p.m., Makor, 35 W. 67th St., between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue, 212-415-5500, $12.

SHOPPING

BROWSE FOR A CAUSE The Children’s Art Carnival hosts a holiday shopping event featuring art, books, T-shirts, and home-made items. The organization funds art programs for needy children. Friday, 4-8 p.m., Children’s Art Carnival, 62 Hamilton Terrace, West 144th Street and Convent Avenue, 212-234-4093, free.

THEATER

TEN-DOLLAR DRAMA A one-act multimedia play brings founding father Alexander Hamilton to life at the New-York Historical Society. Don Winslow’s play, “In Worlds Unknown,” is intended for children ages 10 and above. It serves as a complement to the museum’s current exhibit about Hamilton, “The Man Who Made Modern America.” Play: Through February 28, Tuesday and Wednesday, noon; Saturday, noon, 2, and 4 p.m.; Sunday, 2 and 4 p.m., 212-817-8215, free with museum admission. Exhibit: Through February 28, Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West at 77th Street, 212-873-3400, $10 general, $5 seniors and students, free for members and children under 12.

WORKSHOPS

WRITING FOR CHILDREN The former editor in chief of Golden Books, Eric Suben, leads a workshop in how to write an entertaining children’s book. Participants should bring a paper and pen (and a few ideas) with them to the Gotham Writers’ Workshop event. Thursday, 6-7 p.m., Coliseum Books, 11 W. 42nd St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-974-8377, free.

To submit an event for consideration for the Calendar, please wire the particulars to calendar@nysun.com, placing the date of the event in the subject line.