BENEFIT

DANCE WITH THE DANCERS
American Ballet Theatre offers a day of ballet workshops for children and parents. In the morning, the ABT dancers will perform an hour-long program, accompanied by a narrator. During a luncheon party afterward on the Grand Promenade at Avery Fischer Hall, children will have the chance to meet the dancers, try on costumes, and learn basic dance movements. Saturday, 11:30 a.m., Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Center, Columbus Avenue and 64th Street, 212-477-3030 ext. 3239, $250 general, $150 children, $500 benefit committee.

BOOKS

SOPHIE’S SAND
Heather Levine reads her picture book “Sophie’s Castle” (Barnes & Noble Books), the story of an afternoon at the beach written in verse. Wednesday, 4 p.m., Barnes & Noble Upper West Side, 2289 Broadway at 82nd Street, 212-362-8835, free.

RUBBER DUCKIES
Eric Carle reads from his latest book, “10 Little Rubber Ducks” (HarperCollins), about a group of ducks that fall overboard at sea. Mr. Carle is also the author of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” Wednesday, 6 p.m., Barnes & Noble Upper East Side, 240 E. 86th St. at Second Avenue, 212-794-1962, free. Also: Thursday, 5-6:30 p.m., Books of Wonder, 18 W. 18th St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-989-3270, free. Note: Only copies of “10 Little Rubber Ducks” purchased in the store will be signed at the Books of Wonder event. There is a limit of five books to be signed for each attendee.

PRETTY IN PINK
Brian Sloane reads from “A Really Nice Prom Mess” (Simon & Schuster), a young-adult book about a gay teenager who finds himself with an unwanted prom date. Friday, 6:30 p.m., Barnes & Noble Park Slope, 267 Seventh Ave. at 6th Street, 718-832-9066, free.

FATHER ‘S DAY

FLAMENCO WITH FATHER Artist Elgin Bolling draws caricatures of father daughter and father-son dancing duos at a family-friendly disco party in Midtown. Saturday, 3 p.m., Babalu, 327 W. 44th St., between Eighth and Ninth avenues, 212-586-7425, $12.

FESTIVAL

THAI IT UP The Riverside Church celebrates Thai culture as part of its New York Family Arts Festival. The event features Thai drumming workshops, Thai folk-dance classes, and a plethora of other activities. Saturday, noon, the Theatre of the Riverside Church, 91 Claremont Ave., between W. 120th and 122nd streets, 212-870-6784, free.

FILM

KEEPING UP WITH THE SMITHS
The Reel Moms film series, which invites parents to bring their babies to the theater, screens “Mr. and Mrs. Smith.” Tomorrow, 11 a.m., Loews 34th Street, 316 W. 34th St., between Eighth and Ninth avenues, 212-244-8850, $8.99 general, free for children under 2.

RHUMBA 101
The “Rattle and Reel” program at Sunshine Theater welcomes caregivers and babies to a weekly screening of one of the theater’s arty first-run films. This week, parents can view “Mad Hot Ballroom,” a documentary about a group of 11-year-old New York City public schoolchildren whose classes in ballroom dancing transform them into “ladies and gentlemen.” Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. doors open, 11 a.m. show, Landmark Sunshine Theater, 143 E. Houston St., between Eldridge and Forsyth streets, 212-330-8182, $10.25 general, $6.75 members, free for babies.

MUSEUM

LOOK OUT FOR ABSTRACT ART
Each month, the Whitney Museum offers a tour of its collection for parents and children. This month’s tour is called “Look Out!” and its focus is on abstract art. Sketching materials are provided. Saturday, 2 p.m., Whitney Museum, 945 Madison Ave., between E. 74th and 75th streets, 212-570-7745, free with admission, $12 general, $9.50 seniors and students, free for members, NYC public school students, and children under 12. Note: Reservations are suggested. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

MUSIC

PETER AND BABAR
The Metropolitan Soloists perform two child-friendly classics: Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf” and Poulenc’s “Babar the Elephant.” The arrangements are by Gil Dejean. Tonight, 7 p.m., Isham Park, Isham Street and Broadway, call 311, free.

PARK TUNES
Allison DeSalvo and Friends present an interactive concert of traditional and original music – complete with singing, dancing, and puppetry – in celebration of summer at Madison Square Park (tomorrow, 10:30 a.m.). Later in the week, Dana Banana sings Bananappeal, a set of sing-along songs from a father’s perspective (Thursday, 10:30 a.m.). Both concerts: Madison Square Park, Oval Lawn, Fifth Avenue at 23rd Street, 212-538-5058, free.

NATURE

STUMP THE CURATOR Children can bring a natural object to the Staten Island Museum and have a curator identify it. Anyone who stumps the expert wins a trip to the museum’s attic, where specimens are studied. Wednesday, 4-5 p.m., Staten Island Museum, 75 Stuyvesant Pl., between Hamilton Avenue and Wall Street, Staten Island, 718-727-1135 ext. 16, free with admission.

PARENTING

SAFETY FIRST
Barbara Levinson of BabyBeSafe offers a primer course in how to treat children’s nosebleeds, seizures, poisoning, and other medical emergencies. Wednesday, 6-8 p.m., Jewish Community Center in Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave. at 76th Street, 646-545-4445, $40.

LABOR INTENSIVE
The director of obstetric anesthesia at the N.Y.U. Medical Center, Dr. Gilbert Grant, offers a course based on his new book, “Enjoy Your Labor” (Russell Hastings). He will discuss the latest methods of pain relief for expecting women. Thursday, 7 p.m., Babies “R” Us, 139-19 20th Ave., College Point, Queens, 718-321-8166, free, registration recommended.

STORIES

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HANS
As part of an ongoing celebration of the 200th anniversary of Hans Christian Andersen’s birth, the Park Department presents a reading of Andersen’s stories near his statue in Central Park. Kaye Lindauer reads “The Top and the Ball” and Diane Wolkstein reads “Happily Ever After.” Saturday, 11 a.m., Central Park, 74th Street and Fifth Avenue, call 311, free.

WORKSHOPS

RADIO DAYS
Children recreate radio drama from the days of yore, using stories from the tradition of Superman, the Lone Ranger, and the Shadow. After being taught the basics of radio production, they put on a “live broadcast.” Each participant is given an audiocassette recording of the production. Saturday, 10 a.m., Museum of Television and Radio, 25 W. 52nd St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-621-6600, $7, reservations required. Note: Ages 9 and up.

DYED IN THE WOOL
A workshop teaches children about how different animals blend in with their environments. Then, participants can make their own tie-dyed shirts. Saturday, 11 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m., Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 W. 83rd St., between Amsterdam Ave. and Broadway, 212-721-1223, free with admission.

To submit an event for consideration for the Calendar, please wire the particulars to calendar@nysun.com.