By now you’ve heard that children’s TV pioneer Sesame Street turns 40 this month. Although the show is filmed at Kaufman-Astoria Studios in Queens, the folks at the Brooklyn Public Library are hosting a major exhibit showcasing Jim Henson’s beloved Muppets. Head to the Central Library at Grand Army Plaza this Saturday, November 14th for the kickoff party, where kids can partake in Sesame-inspired crafts, watch a screening of The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland and meet the little red guy himself.  Speaking of Elmo, he appears on a new, limited-edition BPL library card available at any borough branch. Get one while supplies last, or you’re sure to have a little grouch on your hands.

Even though our all-female staff doesn’t quite get this holiday tradition, we know that many families enjoy collecting Hess toy trucks. (Any of you dads care to explain?) The newest model hits the market this Friday, November 13, and it actually isn’t a truck; it’s a race car (the first car featured since Hess’s 1993 patrol car). For secret compartment fans, it features a door that opens to reveal a miniature race car inside. You can pick up the hot rod at any area Hess location for $25.

Because there can never be enough offbeat things to see in New York, today the Public Art Fund debuted a brand-new series of fantastical art at the MetroTech Center in Brooklyn. Dubbed Double Take (because that’s exactly what these works will make you and your kids do), the installations are surprising, illusory projects by six emerging artists. Among the oddities on display, you’ll see a ghost, a strange chain-link fence, a flameless bonfire and a very funny lamppost bending into the ground.

You and your brood can check out all the outdoor works from dawn until dusk every day though September of next year. MetroTech Center, Myrtle Ave between Jay St and Flatbush Ave, 718 488 8200.

Independent book shops can’t get enough attention as far as we’re concerned. Show them some love at the city’s first Indie Bookstore Week, which begins Sunday, November 15 and runs through Saturday, November 21. There are plenty of children’s events; highlights include: Brooklynites Randall and Peter de Sève present their picture-book collaboration The Duchess of Whimsy at Greenpoint’s Word (Sunday, November 15 at 2pm) and grilled cheese—a key plot point in the story—will be served; arts-and-crafts time at Dumbo’s powerHouse Arena with Alex Beard, author-illustrator of The Jungle Grapevine (Sunday, November 15th at 4pm); and a Bank Street Bookstore reading by Thad Krasnesky (Wednesday, November 18 at 4:30pm), author of a book about a power-tripping three-year-old called I Always, ALWAYS Get My Way. Bet that sentiment sounds familiar.

Head to the Tribeca Barnes & Noble today for a reading by the author of the Mo’s Nose series, Margaret Hyde. Her latest installation, Mo Smells the Holidays, focuses on the hard-to-learn lesson that giving is better than receiving, which can serve as a gentle reminder as the present-giving—and greed-inducing—season approaches.

Looking for more Veteran’s Day fun? Check out our roundup of events to celebrate the holiday with your family.

If you missed last week’s kid-friendly gallery openings, don’t fret. We just got word that Long Island City gallery Matted (46-36 Vernon Blvd between 46th and 47th Aves) will be hosting a child-friendly soiree on November 19 at 7pm. The shindig will celebrate a new exhibition of collages by pop artist Michael Albert. All the works featured are  examples of Albert’s signature “cerealism” technique, which he describes as a cross between Picasso’s Cubism and Warhol’s pop. Albert actually uses pieces of detergent and cereal boxes to create collages with historical, literary, musical and geographical themes. While your tykes browse the playful show, they can sip on beverages from Albert’s other business, Sir Real Juices, an organic juice company that’s headquartered here in New York. There’s also a (semi) educational reason to attend: At 7pm, Albert will honor the 146th anniversary of the Gettysburg address by reciting the famous speech at the exact time Lincoln delivered it back in 1863.  Maybe we’re nerds, but we think that’s pretty cool!

The holiday season has unofficially begun. In addition to decorations popping up all over town, classic seasonal shows are raising their curtains this week, including Radio City Christmas Spectacular, White Christmas and Wintuk. Today, catch a sneak peek at a handful of acts from Cirque du Soleil’s acrobatic spectacle, outdoors in the Madison Square Garden Mall. And although temperatures will be mild, falling “snow” will give the illusion of winter. Best of all: The first 200 spectators will win two free tickets to Wintuk’s first performance on Thursday, November 12 at 7:30pm. How’s that for some holiday magic?