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Monday, May 24, 2021   |   View in browser

Commemorating Memorial Day

(Our regrets. This bulletin was previously sent out with an erroneous link to a 2019 Memorial Day event at the Evanston American Legion post 42. Please ignore.)

This Memorial Day may your outdoor gatherings be happy and safe! The holiday's purpose is to remember those who lost their lives in US wars. (We celebrate current military service members on May 15, National Armed Forces Day, and all veterans on Veterans Day.) Ways to commemorate Memorial Day with kids:

• Reading a good book is an excellent way to start. Select some books from our Memorial, Armed Forces and Veterans Days Booklist!
• Watch some youth softball at the Evanston Express Memorial Day Classic, May 28-30. At least five games will be held, weather permitting.
• The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) will hold a Memorial Day Ceremony at Fountain Square, all are welcome. Monday, May 31, 10:30 am. 
• Do your kids know a service member, a veteran, an AmeriCorps or Peace Corps volunteer? It is a great time to interview them virtually, using some respectful question prompts
• Decorate for the holiday in red, white, and blue! Try this fun craft project for the younger set: Shaving Cream Fireworks, which uses  shaving cream, white paper, and red and blue food coloring. For older kids, create a Patriotic Suncatcher using paper plates, contact paper, and red, white, and blue construction paper and optional shiny paper.

Great Programs For Kids!

• Zoom Time for Twos: A virtual storytime filled with songs, picture books, puppets, and rhymes for children 24-36 months old along with a parent or caregiver. One session left. Tuesday, May 25, 10:30 am: Register.
• Family Reading Night with Legacy Award Winning Authors' Books!  Let's get together to enjoy great picture books and songs.  Geared to 3-5 year olds and their parents, but everyone in the family is welcome! Thursday, May 27, 6:30 pm: Register.
• Yoga en el Parque: Acompañe Rebeca Mendoza, una instructora de yoga, en una hora de yoga relajante. No es necesario registrarse! Regístrese si desea un recordatorio por correo electrónico para esta serie. Sábado, 5 de junio, 10 de la mañana: Más información.
• Mini Monday: Outdoor Storytime for Toddlers and Preschoolers: Let's tiptoe back into in-person storytime in a safe way! Join us in the courtyard of St. Luke's Church, 939 Hinman Avenue for a 25-minute, small-group outdoor event. Registration is required and limited. Register one person from your family unit, and let us know how many total to expect. Masks required for anyone over the age of 2. Monday, June 7, 8:30 am: Register.
• Kids' Drumming Circles at Robert Crown! Do you love to play the drums or just want to learn? Join us for a socially distanced drum circle at the Robert Crown Branch Library Reading Garden! For grades 3-5. The group will work together to develop their rhythmic and musical abilities through counting and mathematics related to music as well as music theory and appreciation. Monday, June 7, 1 pm: Register.
• Garden Party with the Girl Scouts!  Make a DIY Planter with recycled materials and have some fun. You will need your own scissors, recycled milk carton, paint and brushes. This program is for Rising K-5th graders. Monday, June 7, 6:30 pm: Register.
• Gather in the Garden: Drop in to the Robert Crown Branch Library Reading Garden for physically-distanced, masked, outdoor activities; best for families with kids ages 3-8 (but all are welcome). We plan to do this every week, weather permitting. Starting Thursday, June 10, 10:45 am: More information.
• Virtual Bad Guys Book Discussion Party: Register for this fun, interactive, virtual program that celebrates the first book in Aaron Blabey's Bad Guys series.  We'll play a game, listen to a reading from Mr. Brian, and talk about why we love these characters. Tuesday, June 15, 4 pm: Register.
• Visit with Caldecott-Winning Author Dan Santat! Meet the award-winning author/illustrator of over 100 books, Dan Santat! Dan received the 2015 Caldecott Medal, the 2020 Asian/Pacific American Picture Book Award, and he illustrated Dav Pilkey's Ricky Ricotta series! Want to prep for this incredible author visit? Check out our Essential Dan Santat Booklist. He will talk about his books, share an interactive art activity, and end with a brief Q&A session. Wednesday, August 4, 6 pm: Register.

Summer Reading Starts June 1!

We have a fun reading challenge for you this summer, and it starts whenever you do! Some of our ideas include: read a book by an Evanston author, read a book that's won an award, or find a great family movie to check out! Registration starts June 1, online or by calling 847-448-8610 during open hours.

• Pick out a brand new book from us anytime after you sign up, as a registration prize!
• Get a colorful new reading log that encourages "coloring your world" through the summer as well as keeping track of your reading. The online log is interactive and lets kids link directly to the cool reading challenges.
• Start reading! Check out the brand new 2021 District 65 Summer Reading List! Of course, Summer Reading is all about kids' choice and the joy of serendipity -- so come visit the library and enjoy browsing again, while masked, during our expanded hours.
• Once some progress is logged online, by parents, kids, or librarians at the library, kids can win weekly raffle prizes!
• When you finish the 30 days of challenge, we will post you on the wall of fame -- and you'll be entered into the Grand Prize Drawing at the end of the summer!
• Evanston Public Library On the Fly! We will be in a variety of parks all summer long, Monday to Thursday starting Monday, June 7th at Brummel Park!   After a long year, we can't wait to see you out in the community!
• Your District 65 School Librarians are in on the Library fun! To help us launch our park visits, they will come with Books & STEM on 2 dates: Monday, June 7, 10 am-12 pm at Brummel Park (a water project) and Tuesday, June 22, 2-4 pm at Fleetwood-Jourdain (a rocket project). 

Questions about summer reading? Give us a call at 847-448-8610. Parents: keep in mind that you can tailor this flexible summer reading challenge to your kids' ages and interests.

Bunny Days Are Here!

Have you noticed the number of baby bunnies around town? They are a sweet token of the end of Spring. To celebrate bunnies, join artist and author Tao Nyeu as she reads her cute and hilarious Bunny Days book! Or check out the story from the library. 

Enjoy this Family Storytime and Craft program about bunnies! You can transform yourself into a bunny with the paper bag bunny hat craft at the end.

Tape some colored bunny pictures to the floor and get your kids hopping to the right colors! This is a great indoor activity to get young children moving.

Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month which is especially important this pandemic year. 

• This NBC article provides some guidance for how best to check in regularly with your kids so they feel comfortable sharing with you.
• Mental Health Awareness Kit: Come by the Robert Crown Branch Library to pick up your kit. It includes materials to make origami cranes and a mental-health checklist. Starting Monday, May 24, while supplies last.
• Kids' Emotional Health booklist! Reading together can be the start of a good conversation about feelings and coping.
• Wind Down Storytime. Did you miss our Wind Down Storytime in May? We have another one in June! Join our gentle storytime for families, geared to kids 4-7, though everyone in the family is welcome. A trained librarian leads a brief meditation and then we share a few fun picture books and songs! Thursday, June 24, 7 pm: Register. 

2020: What A Year!