Throughout the year, Barnes & Noble hosts more than 25,000 Storytimes — opportunities for children and their parents to hear new and old favorite picture books read by a bookseller, author or illustrator.

A key element of our store programming, Storytimes are a Barnes & Noble tradition that help promote reading and literacy and bring thousands of families together for laughs and smiles.

Additionally, our Costume Character Visits provide opportunities for children to meet their favorite characters from the world of books. Last year, almost 1,000 costumed characters visited our stores and also brought the adventure outside our walls to local schools and hospitals where they continued to delight children.

Curious George, Clifford, Madeline, Arthur, Biscuit, The Cat in the Hat, Corduroy, Froggy, Little Critter, Little Nut Brown Hare, Maisy, Miffy, Cookie Mouse, Peter Rabbit, Winnie the Pooh and Spot the Dog are just some of the popular characters that help spark children’s imaginations at Barnes & Noble.

Photos: (Top) Kim Vater, store manager for the Springfield, NJ, store, celebrates Read Across America with her Cat in the Hat fish bowl hat. (Bottom) Sheira, Loli and Miss Molly, from Sheira & Loli's Dittydoodle Works, perform at the Huntington, NY, store.