By Councilmember Jason Gibbs
Each year, communities across the country come together to celebrate a day that honors two of the most powerful forces in a child’s life: imagination and education. Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros is a celebration of culture, literacy and the limitless potential of our youth. In Santa Clarita, it’s a tradition that brings families together in a meaningful and memorable way. This special day recognizes something deeply important: when we invest in our children, we invest in our future. Día de los Niños reminds us that every child deserves access to books, opportunities to learn and spaces where creativity can thrive.
On Saturday, April 25, families are invited to experience this celebration firsthand at the Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library Branch (18601 Soledad Canyon Road) from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This year’s event promises a morning filled with hands-on activities, live entertainment and opportunities for families to connect through creativity and play. Children will be able to explore a variety of interactive craft stations designed to spark imagination and celebrate culture. From decorating cactus-themed art and making sombrero or explorer hats, each activity offers a chance to learn while having fun. Families can also create wax paper lanterns, decorate dinosaur river rocks and craft their own mini piñatas.
Beyond crafts, the event will feature engaging, live activities that highlight the richness of our community. Guests can enjoy balloon animals by Painted Monkeys, a Santa Clarita-based entertainment group that truly brings the magic to any occasion, along with theatrical, traditional Mexican dance performances from the Newhall Community Center’s Ballet Folklórico and Mariachi groups. These performances showcase the incredible talent of local youth and community members, while also celebrating traditions that have been passed down through generations. What makes Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros especially meaningful is its ability to bring people together. It creates a shared space where families from all backgrounds can celebrate culture, learning and community.
Last year’s celebration was especially memorable, as we unveiled the Library Express, a major step forward in expanding access to Library services across Santa Clarita. One year later, we are proud to see the impact it has already made. The Library Express has welcomed 4,617 visitors and made 58 stops throughout the City, bringing books, resources and programming directly to neighborhoods and families. The Library Express has become a valuable extension of the Library experience, creating more opportunities for families to connect with reading and learning in convenient, accessible ways. From neighborhood stops to community events, it continues to introduce new audiences to the wide array of Library programs and services. To book (pun intended) the Library Express for its next visit, you can go to Library.SantaClarita.gov/Library-Express.
Our Library Branches play a central role in making this celebration possible. They are more than just places to check out books; they are community hubs where ideas are explored, creativity is encouraged and lifelong learning begins. Programs like Día de los Niños highlight the important work our Libraries do every day to support children and families throughout Santa Clarita. I encourage all families to join us for this wonderful celebration. Whether your child is discovering a new craft, enjoying a live performance or simply picking out their next favorite book, there is something for everyone to enjoy. For more information about this event and other Library programs, please visit Library.SantaClarita.gov.
Councilmember Jason Gibbs is a member of the Santa Clarita City Council and can be reached at jgibbs@santaclarita.gov.
