Sarah Shey

Five great children's rooms Bronx Library CenterThe award-grabbing design of the children's room uses natural light, insulated glass and recycled materials. Programming here is as creative as the engineering: For the potentially Broadway-bound, an expert in urban stages directs the BLC Theatre Group. Each Monday, kids ages seven to 12 gather to hone dramatic skills and to write an original play, which they'll perform later this spring. 310 E Kingsbridge Rd at Briggs Ave, Bronx (718-579-4244, nypl.org) Central Library, QueensWe're eagerly anticipating the opening of the new two-story, super-interactive Children's Library Discovery Center at this branch, expected late in 2010. In the meantime, the Discovery Teens—high-school and college students trained to engage youngsters in science and math—lead a Saturday lab for kids in grades three to seven. Projects have included hands-on weather experiments and building soda-bottle rockets. 89-11 Merrick Blvd between 89th and 90th Aves, Jamaica, Queens (718-990-0700, queenslibrary.org) New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman BuildingFamiliar to kids as the library guarded by lions Patience and Fortitude, this branch houses the city's largest circulating collection of children's books, movies, CDs and audiobooks. It's also home to the original Pooh Bear and other stuffed toys beloved by the real-life Christopher Robin. Programming includes the expected storytimes, plus presentations by well-known authors and illustrators, as well