Free activities and events in New York City

In-Store: Storytime with Elisha Cooper “The Rare Bird”

Published: February 21, 2026; Aithor: Julia Sonrisa

“A gentle celebration of imagination that honors both the wildness of play and the creature comforts of home.” — Publishers Weekly.

Event guidelines:

• All attendees are encouraged to wear face masks at all times.
• RSVP is highly encouraged but not required.
• Additional copies of the event book will be available for purchase in-store.
• A book signing will follow the reading.
• As a reminder: If you are not feeling well, please do not come to the event, even if you have a ticket; email us and we’ll work it out.

If you have any questions regarding these guidelines or to request accessibility accommodations, please contact eventhelp@booksaremagic.net.

Caldecott Honoree Elisha Cooper returns with a unique and playful tale about an imaginative house cat who dreams of all the wild things it can be.

The imagination of one housecat takes him to unexpected adventures as he dreams of spreading his wings as a “rare bird.”

Because a Rare Bird can do anything!

Fly fast through the forest,

or splash in the bird baths,

or meet animals from faraway lands.

Readers will fall head over heels for this extraordinary tale of dreaming, the power of imagination, and the freedom of creativity by Caldecott Honoree Elisha Cooper.

Elisha Cooper is an author/illustrator who has received a Caldecott Honor for Big Cat, Little Cat, and his following book, River, won the 2020 Robin Smith Picture Book Prize. One of his earlier books, Dance!, was a New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book of the Year, and Beach won the Society of Illustrators Gold Medal. In 201,6 he was awarded a Sendak Fellowship. His essays and sketchbooks have appeared in the sports section of The New York Times. Cooper lives with his wife, daughters, and cats in New York City.

Time: 11:00 am EST

Free!

Registration

Detailed information and discussion of the event.