Three beloved children’s books will come to life on the stage of Mississippi State University Riley Center this fall during two separate theatrical shows designed specifically for pre-K and elementary school audiences.

Theatre MSU will present “Charlotte’s Web” on Tuesday, Sept. 24, and Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia will delight audiences on Thursday, Nov. 7, with its touring show based on two classic books, “Goodnight Moon” and “The Runaway Bunny,” both by celebrated children’s author Margaret Wise Brown.

The “Charlotte’s Web” adaption is suggested for grades fourth through sixth, and the Mermaid Theatre’s production is geared toward pre-K through third-grade audiences.

On Sept. 24, Mississippi State University’s Theatre MSU will bring to life through puppetry and music the story of “Charlotte’s Web,” adapted by Joseph Robinette based on the E.B. White classic novel about the friendship between a little gray spider named Charlotte and a pig named Wilbur. Charlotte campaigns to save Wilbur from a terrible fate through messages she weaves into her web. A beloved classic, the story features endearing farm animals and explores the themes of love, bravery and the meaning of friendship.

On Nov. 7, two of the 20th Century’s best-known children’s books will be presented on the Riley Center stage by the Canada-based touring group, Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia. Brown, a former teacher, created stories that have delighted young children for several generations. “Goodnight Moon” and “The Runaway Bunny,” both featuring rabbits, are two such stories. “Goodnight Moon” celebrates nighttime rituals that get children ready for bed, while in the “The Runaway Bunny” a young rabbit tells tales of leaving home that evoke reassuring responses from his mom giving him a sense of security.

Those attending the “Goodnight Moon” and “The Runaway Bunny” performance at the Riley Center may also want to drop by Mississippi Children’s Museum-Meridian, just a few blocks from the MSU Riley Center, to see the nation’s only “Goodnight Moon” permanent exhibit. For more information about the exhibit, visit MSChildrensMuseum.org/meridian.

The two, separate hourlong events, crafted with youngsters’ attention spans in mind, offer start times at 9 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. for both performance dates. Tickets for all shows are $5 per person. Scholarship funds are available thanks to the generosity of the Phil Hardin Foundation.

To learn more about the shows and reserve tickets for a school group, visit msurileycenter.com/shows/school-shows. For more information, contact Jennifer Haught at jhaught@riley.msstate.edu or 601.696.2200.