Meet and learn about amazing animals this summer with the Big Summer Read

Children and families will have the chance to get up close to an exciting range of animals this summer as Libraries NI brings live wildlife experiences, interactive workshops and animal-themed activities to libraries across Northern Ireland as part of the Big Summer Read.

From reptiles and birds to working dogs and donkeys, this year's programme gives young readers the opportunity to discover the natural world through hands-on experiences inspired by books and stories.

Key highlights include:

The Amazon Jungle Show (Live Reptile Showcase)

Expert zoologist Catherine Bennett is bringing the jungle straight to library bookshelves. Children and families will get a hands-on learning experience with slippery snakes, lively lizards, and terrific tortoises.

Holywood Arches Library: Thursday 9 July at 2:30pm (Booking essential)

Ardoyne Library: Thursday 23 July 2026 at 12:30pm (Booking not required)

Saintfield Library: Tuesday 11 August at 2:30pm (Booking essential)

Newtownbreda Library: Thursday 13 August at 1:30pm (Booking essential)

Kinedale Donkeys Come to Visit
 
Join us in Ballynahinch Library as we welcome Kinedale Donkeys to the library and find out how to care for them.

Ballynahinch Library: Wednesday 29 July at 2:00pm

Real-Life Canine Heroes and Detectives

Discover the incredible things our four-legged friends can do! Libraries are hosting both educational talks with real dogs and fun mystery-solving days.

Barn Dogs (Newtownards Library): Meet the team from The Barn, who will be bringing a dog along to talk about animal welfare and their vital community work on Friday 17 July at 2:00pm

Kristo the Hearing Dog (Comber Library): Meet Sue Benham and her specially trained hearing dog, Kristo, to discover how animals assist humans in daily life on Thursday 20 August at 11:00am

Paws and Pages: Dog Detectives (Ballyhackamore Library): Uncover quirky facts, guess breeds, and make paper dog ears on Thursday 16 July at 2:30pm

Author Draw-Along with Clive McFarland

Celebrated local author and illustrator Clive McFarland, creator of A Bed for Bear and The Fox and the Wild, will host interactive readings of his charming picture book, Standing On One Leg is Hard. Children can discover fun animal facts and learn step-by-step how to draw their very own heron chick!

Enniskillen Library: Monday 27 July at 11:00am

Omagh Library: Tuesday 28 July at 11:00am and 2:00pm

Lisnaskea Library: Wednesday 29 July at 11:00am

Fintona Library: Wednesday 5 August at 11:00am

Into the Wild with the RSPB

For the feathered-friend enthusiasts, special guests from the RSPB will introduce the wonderful world of garden birds and wildlife. Children will learn how to identify local birds and what they can do to protect the nature in their own back gardens.

Ballymoney Library: Wednesday 22 July at 2:00pm (Booking essential)

Ballymena Central Library: Friday 28 August at 3:00pm (Booking essential)

In addition to live animal visits, participating libraries will feature animal-mask making, puppet theatres (including tiger and jungle-book animal crafts), animal bingo and nature-themed scavenger hunts all summer long.

Check out the full list of events here.