Rainy Day

An inverse relationship appears to exist between the prices of children’s classes around the city and the state of the economy. It seems as if many of the programs are getting pricier just as your financials are getting dicier. But as New Yorkers - natives and transplants alike - we’re nothing if not resourceful. There are plenty of good-quality, free activities to keep you and Junior entertained. Seek and you shall find.

Chic downtown newcomer Bundle is hosting free monthly children’s book readings and signings. Former Wall Streeter and Bundle boutique owner Allison MacCullough is working with the Society of Illustrators to bring in well-known and talented New Yorkers to share their work. Here’s the line-up, starting with an event this Thursday:

Betsy Lewin - Thu. 9/24 at 4pm. Lewin has been on the New York Times Best-Seller List. She’s a Caldecott Honoree (for Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type) and recipient of numerous awards. Lewin will be reading from her book Thump, Quack, Moo, the latest in the Click, Clack, Moo series.

Edel Rodriguez - Thu. 10/15 at 4pm. Rodriguez will share Sergio Makes a Splash and Sergio Saves the Game. Then he’ll conduct a drawing workshop where he’ll show kids how to draw Sergio. Hey, it’s a chance for your bundle of joy to learn to draw from a guy whose work is held by the Smithsonian.

Randall and Peter de Seve - Thu. 11/12 at 4pm. Artist Peter de Seve has created covers for the New Yorker and been published in nearly every major American magazine. He has also designed characters for animated feature films, including A Bug’s Life and Ice Age. Randall de Seve is the author of the best-selling Toy Boat. The de Seves will read from The Duchess of Whimsy, which will be released later this fall. Stay tuned to see if the husband-wife team behind this book will have the Duchess of Whimsy and the Earl of Norm become an item.

A bonus - attendees will receive a 15% discount at Bundle on reading days. The clothing store carries stylish lines such as Splendid, the vintage-inspired Acoustic as well as Velvet & Tweet at recession-friendly prices.

Bundle, 128 Thompson St., bet. Prince and W. Houston Sts., 212-982-9465, bundlenyc.com.

Welcome to story time season. Lately several city venues have added free book readings for kids to the calendar, including Housing Works Bookstore, FAO Schwarz and Battery Park’s Action Center.

The Strand Book Store, a New York landmark, now joins the bunch with a weekly family hour where staff members read from their favorite children’s books. In addition to the Thursday get-togethers, stay tuned for special events with local writers (next month welcomes Harry Bliss, author of Luke on the Loose).

Those miles and miles of books are sounding better and better.

When: Thursdays, 3:30pm; All ages; Free.
Where: Strand Book Store, 828 Broadway at 12th St. (second floor children’s department), 212-473-1452, strandbooks.com.

The whimsical mural you painted in the nursery sure is pretty, but you’re certainly not the first. Fairies, princes and precious animals have made for great children’s decor since the 1870s.

Take a walk down memory lane at Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum’s new exhibition, “Wall Stories: Children’s Wallpaper and Books.” The exhibit explores the world where wallpaper and children’s books meet. Papers, primers and pop-up books starring Peter Rabbit, Cinderella, Winnie-the-Pooh and Peter Pan demonstrate how literature and popular culture have impacted design. Plus kids will love the show’s hands-on elements, including a reading room and short film screenings.

Maybe it’s time to redo the den.

When: Through 4/5/09, Mon.-Fri. 10am-5pm, Sat. 10am-6pm, Sun. 12-6pm; $15/Adults, Kids under 12 free.
Where: 2 East 91st St. at Fifth Ave., 212-849-8400, cooperhewitt.org.

It’s raining cats and dogs! Will April showers bring May flowers? For this week at least, it’s time to cover up. Classic kiddie raingear from Hatley is always a safe bet.

Oolong or Darjeeling, this is a city that takes its tea seriously (well, maybe not as seriously as London).

Discover all the hidden haunts to snack on scones and spicy blends in New York’s 50 Best Places to Take Tea. Author Bo Niles gives the rundown on teahouses in cafes, department stores and museums, whether lavish (Madeline kiddie tea parties at Bemelmans) or low-key (Podunk’s tea and tarts).

Sip accordingly.

Available at Rizzoli Bookstore, 31 West 57th St. (bet. 5th & 6th Ave.), 212-759-2424.