• Dates: July 11, 2026
• Location: Mulberry Commons Park
• Time: 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Join artist Eirini Linardaki for Cosmic Story Time at the Constellation Bench, an interactive public sculpture at Mulberry Commons!

Join Newark Grounds presented by PES and artist Erini Linardaki for the final summer gathering of Cosmic Story Time at the Constellation Bench — an interactive public sculpture in Mulberry Commons. On July 11 at 1:00 PM, the series concludes with Astrophysics for Young People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson and Gregory Mone — an engaging exploration of the universe designed for curious young minds and readers of all ages. Through storytelling, conversation, and collective imagination, the event invites the community to reflect on wonder, discovery, and our shared place in the cosmos.

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Series Dates & Selection

May 30, 1:00 PM
My Two Blankets — Irena Kobald
A moving story of migration, friendship, and finding belonging in a new place. Through poetic text and expressive illustrations, it follows two children from different backgrounds who build connection across language and experience.

June 20, 1:00 PM
The Little Prince — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
A poetic tale of travel and encounter that explores love, loneliness, friendship, and the meaning beneath appearances—reminding us that what is essential is invisible to the eye.

July 11, 1:00 PM
Astrophysics for Young People in a Hurry — Neil deGrasse Tyson & Gregory Mone
A child-friendly introduction to the universe, from the Big Bang to black holes and dark matter, using clear explanations, visuals, and storytelling to make cosmic ideas accessible and engaging.

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About the Series

Constellations are stories humans created to connect distant points of light. In that same spirit, The Constellation Bench imagines the city as a network of people, memories, languages, and journeys—linked across difference.
Nebulae are places where stars are born from dust and fragments. This gathering extends that idea into public space, envisioning it as a site where encounters, stories, and communities emerge from many small pieces coming together.
Cosmic Story Time is an intergenerational reading and gathering series centered around The Constellation Bench. Families, seniors, neighbors, and visitors are invited to bring books, stories, or poems they wish to share. A selection of books chosen by the artist, aligned with the sculpture’s themes, will also be available.
Each session will include short readings, open conversation, imaginative exchange, reflections on cities, ecology, and belonging, and quiet collective moments under the “constellation” of the sculpture. The project encourages community exchange, informal learning, and public space as a welcoming environment for all ages.