SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The St. Joe County Public Library is putting on Explore-a-Story, a free interactive event for children up to age eight and their caregivers Saturday.

The event, inspired by Monique Gray Smith's My Heart Fills with Happiness, will take place from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Main Library's Community Learning Center at 305 S. Main Street in South Bend.

Designed for children up to age 8 and their caregivers, Explore-a-Story is a free event that brings stories to life and celebrates early literacy.

Explore-a-Story open with a live retelling of My Heart Fills with Happiness from 1 to 1:30 p.m., featuring the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi. Every participating family will receive a copy of the book, a colorful scarf, and a shaker to take home, while supplies last.

After the retelling, families can enjoy free playtime until 2:30 p.m., rotating between hands-on stations such as a sensory room, a drumming workshop by Rhythm to You, face painting from Rainbow Expressions by Bianca, imagination playground building, and a family "What Fills Your Heart" art board.

From 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. will be the Stories and Music (S.A.M.) I Am all-ages concert, featuring the Verona Quartet in A Bad Case of the Stripes by David Shannon.

Lastly, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., children can create hands-on crafts inspired by the book and meet the musicians, obtaining free signed copies of the book while supplies last.