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Monday, June 7, 2021 | View in browser
 Summer reading is finally here! You can register online, by calling 847-448-8610 during open hours, or you can come to either the Main Library or to the Robert Crown Branch Library! Watch the brief slide show and promotional video your kids may have seen in school.
We have a fun 30-Day Reading Challenge for you this summer, and it starts whenever you are ready!
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Pick out a brand new book from us anytime after you sign up, as a registration prize!
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Pick up our colorful "gallery" reading log, that encourages coloring your world throughout 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. There are 20 challenges in all, that help add up to 30 days of reading and activities!
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Start Reading! First, check out District 65's Summer Reading List. Of course, kids can read whatever they want for the 30-Day Challenge. Kids choosing their own reading material leads to more reading and better comprehension.
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Log your progress! Once reading progress is logged online, kids are entered to win wonderful weekly raffle prizes from Blick Art Materials! When the 30-day challenge is completed, the child's name will be posted on the wall of fame in rainbow colors -- and will be entered to win the Grand Prize Drawing from Blick Art Materials at summer's end.
Evanston Public Library On the Fly! We will be in the parks Monday to Thursday all summer long, weather permitting, starting today! Register for summer reading and/or pick up a weekly Craft or STEAM kit and more. See you there! Our schedule is:
Mondays - Brummel Park;10 am-noon
Tuesdays - Fleetwood Jourdain; 2-4 pm
Wednesdays - Mason Park; 11 am-1 pm
Thursdays - Park Varies! 4-6pm (6/10 - Dobson Park; 6/17 - Leider Park)
Your District 65 School Librarians are in on our Library fun! District 65 librarians will read you Your Place in the Universe by Jason Chin and help you build a rocket launcher! No registration; materials provided. Tuesday, June 22, 2-4 pm, at Fleetwood-Jourdain.
Questions about summer reading? Give us a call at 847-448-8610. Parents, you can tailor this flexible summer reading challenge to your kids' ages and interests.
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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 14, 8:30 am: Register; OR Monday, June 28, 8:30 am: Register.
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Family Storytime and Craft: The Letter F: Join us for stories, songs and a fun craft. Books are appropriate for ages 3-7 but all are welcome. Craft materials available for pick up at the Main Library after registration. Wednesday, June 9, 6 pm: Register.
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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.
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Dedicated to the Dream: Working Toward awareness + celebration: EPL is piloting a monthly program designed for curious families to learn and grow through thoughtful, kid-friendly experiences and conversations around race and culture. If you have a rising 1st-4th grader, you can fill out an interest form and also can learn more at an information session. Thursday, June 10, 6 pm: more information.
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Make Your Own Bug Spray, a climate action program: Drop in to make your own bug spray using natural ingredients and learn more about how to make effective, cost-efficient homemade remedies that are good for your family and the planet. Please bring your own bottle (one bottle per family). Friday, June 11, 1 pm: more information; OR Monday, June 14, 3 pm.
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Drumming Circles at Robert Crown: Rising 3rd-5th grade drummers of all skill levels are invited to a series of socially distant drum circles. Kids will learn how to play bucket drums or Latin and African grooves and shuffles on various hand percussion instruments. Monday, June 14, 1 pm: Register; and/or Monday, June 21, 1 pm: Register
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Virtual Bad Guys Book Discussion Party: Register your rising 1st-4th grader for this fun and 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.
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Graphic Novel Book Club for Kids: This month we will be discussing Rebecca Sugar and Melanie Gillman's graphic novel, Steven Universe Vol. 1., for rising 3rd-5th graders! You can find an eBook copy available on Hoopla here. This event will be held virtually. Saturday, June 19, 1 pm: Register.
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Little Explorers: Dinosaurs! Young explorers ages 3-5, with an adult, are welcome to join us as we excavate dinosaurs from their eggs and more. A fun way for younger children to virtually explore STEAM! Thursday, June 24, 10:30 am: Register.
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Microwave Cooking Class: We'll try out some fun recipes over Zoom that you can do at home using an ingredient list we'll send out ahead of time! Designed for rising 1st-3rd graders. Thursday, June 24, 2 pm: Register.
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Virtual Wind Down Storytime: Join us for a calming storytime and brief meditation. Books aimed at kids 4-7 years old and up. Let's get peaceful together as a family before bed. Thursday, June 24, 7 pm: Register.
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Author Visit with Dan Santat! Meet the award-winning author/illustrator of over 100 books! Dan received the 2015 Caldecott Medal, the 2020 Asian/Pacific American Picture Book Award, and he illustrated Dav Pilkey's Ricky Ricotta series! 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. (and read from our Essential Dan Santat Booklist.)
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Grab and Go Kit: Make Your Own Marshmallow Beekle! Visit the Main Library or the Robert Crown Branch Library to pick up a vegan marshmallow kit inspired by Dan Santat's Caldecott winning book Adventures of Beekle! While supplies last. Starting Monday, June 21.
 First, what's Juneteenth? Also called Emancipation Day or Freedom Day, it is the celebration of the official end of slavery in America. The holiday started in Galveston Texas when General Granger of the Union Army on June 19, 1865 read General Order No. 3, proclaiming freedom from slavery in Texas, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was supposed to end slavery in the whole country.
Introduce Juneteenth to kids with a great book! We've created this Juneteenth booklist to help kids understand this important holiday.
Kids will also enjoy the traditional red foods and drinks of a Juneteenth celebration: BBQ, red rice and a red drink of some kind like Strawberry Lemonade or Strawberry Soda.
We're all invited to celebrate Juneteenth in Evanston this year! The schedule of events include a parade that starts at 11am at the Robert Crown parking lot, a 1 pm kickoff event at the Civic Center and 2:30 celebration at Twiggs Park. Evanston Public Library will be at Twiggs Park and we hope you come too!
Here's a fun flag craft to start the celebration at home!
 Happy Father's Day to all the dads, role models, and friends who've "fathered" us! Some great suggestions from Evanston Public Library Kids staff for a fun celebration:
- Just in time for Father's Day, we'll have a virtual visit from author Robert Broder. Inspired by his book, Our Shed, we will have kits available to make your own bird feeders. Kits will be available for pick up at both locations starting Monday, June 14. Saturday, June 19, 10 am: Register.
- You can't go wrong with a good book! Check out our Great Books starring Dads booklist. Also enjoy this Evanston Public Library Father Figures storytime!
- Looking for an active celebration? We've compiled a list of the 10 Best Hikes near Evanston for you! Little ones are usually thrilled to explore with their parent(s) but sometimes it takes a little ingenuity to coax the older ones away from their devices and out of the house. Here are some great suggestions to make it easier to do a family hike!
 June is Pride Month, when we celebrate LGBTQIA+ history and identity! Evanston Pride, Inc is planning a wonderful celebration on Saturday, June 26 by making the whole town a "parade." To join the celebration, decorate your house, porch, yard or window! Enjoy this Rainbow Heart decoration that's fun to make and share.
Let's also celebrate Pride with some good information:
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