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Monday, July 19, 2021 | View in browser
 Get ready to watch the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan this summer from July 23 through August 8! Check out our booklist called Going For The Gold: Books About Summer Olympic Sports.
Listen to this joyous reading of She's Got This, the story about Laurie Hernandez, an Olympic athlete!
Meet Miraitowa and Someity, the Olympic and Paralympic Mascots. You can also learn how to make an origami Olympic flame of your own.
Part of watching the Summer Olympics is learning about the host country. Start your child's exploration of Japanese culture:
- The Chicago Botanic Garden has a Japanese garden for you to visit!
- Create a miniature zen garden like the larger one at the Chicago Botanic Garden and then read the beautiful books, Zen Shorts (for younger kids) or The Stonecutter (for older kids) by Jon Muth who studied stone sculpture and shodō (書道), brush calligraphy, in Japan. Zen Buddhism was first introduced into Japan as early as 653-656 CE and people still follow its precepts today.
- Check out this wonderful blog by a Japanese American mom picking great kids books by Japanese, Japanese Canadian and Japanese American authors.
- Get a taste of Japan with your kids at these local Evanston restaurants!
 Over 1250 readers are registered for summer reading so far and have received their free book and "gallery" reading log that includes 20 reading challenges! It's a 30-day challenge, so register by July 25 to finish by the time school starts. Register online, call 847-448-8610 during open hours, or sign up at the Main Library or the Robert Crown Branch Library in person. After you register:
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Start Reading! Kids can read whatever they like for the 30 Day challenge. You may also want to check out the District 65's Summer Reading List or our great new Wilderness Survival booklist. Or prepare for our author visit with Caldecott award winner Dan Santat by reading his awesome books!
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Log your progress. Kids are entered to win weekly raffle prizes from Blick Art Materials as soon as some progress is logged online or by visiting the library. Don't miss out!
Join us for some great experiences in the parks this summer, Monday to Thursday, all summer long, weather permitting! You can register for summer reading, pick up a book, or grab a STEM or craft kit. 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! 4-6 pm (Thursday, July 22, Baker Park, and Thursday, July 29, Dawes School Playground)
Collective Art Project during On the Fly! Contribute to an evolving art piece created by our community. Angela Lyonsmith, local artist and Director of Kids Create Change, invites makers of all ages to add to this tangible symbol of our care for each other: Wednesday, July 21, 11 am, Mason Park.
District 65 Librarians visit On the Fly! Join your District 65 librarians for a Story & STEM project (no registration, materials provided, weather permitting). Listen to a selection of Green Lantern: Legacy by Minh Le then make a Green Lantern ring! Thursday, July 29, 4 pm, Dawes School Playground.
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Make Your Own Bug Spray: A climate action program! Stop by the Main Library Lobby and make your own insect repellent spray out of essential oils and other natural ingredients. This is a STEM program for kids in grades 3-5 and up, including adults. Bring your own 2-4 oz bottle; create one bottle per family. Tomorrow, Tuesday, July 20, 3 pm: More Information.
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Movies at Dusk: Head to the Robert Crown Reading Garden for an evening of family-friendly cinema. Four attendees per registration, including children. Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters tomorrow, Tuesday, July 20, 8:45 pm: Register. Raya and the Last Dragon on Monday, July 26, 8:45 pm: Register. Wonder on Thursday, August 12, 8:45 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. Drop ins allowed but registration preferred. Thursday, July 22, 10:45 am: Register and Thursday July 29, 10:45 am: Register.
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Family Reading Night: Get into your pajamas and join some of your favorite EPL librarians for a night of stories and songs. Books are geared toward kids ages 3-5, but all are welcome. Thursday, July 22, 6:30 pm: Register.
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Crown Adventures Dinosaur Storytime! Dinosaurs will take over the Reading Garden as we read and learn about these prehistoric animals! We will make a craft too. Register one person from your family and let us know how many to expect. This program is for the ages 3-6 but siblings welcome. Masks required over 2 years old. Tuesday, July 27, 1:30 pm: Register.
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Community Understanding Project: Three Keys by Kelly Yang! This quarterly book club brings together diverse middle grade fiction, youth readers, and library staff for great discussion. We will be reading Three Keys, a story about sixth grader Mia Tang and her family. Designed for rising 4th-6th graders. Either Tuesday, August 3, 6:30 pm: Register OR Saturday, August 7, 10 am: Register.
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Visit From Award Winning Author Dan Santat! Dan received the 2015 Caldecott Medal for The Adventures of Beekle and the 2020 Asian/Pacific American Picture Book Award for Drawn Together. He also illustrated Betsy Bird's hilarious The Great Santa Stakeout and Dav Pilkey's Ricky Ricotta series. Wednesday, August 4, 6 pm: Register.
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En Pantalla: México: Venga al Jardín de Lectura de Robert Crown para ver películas para toda la familia. Esta vez, vamos a ver Nikté. Jueves, el 5 de agosto, a las 8:50 de la noche: Registrarse.
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Friday Family Fun Night: Join the fun at Elks Park as we gather outdoors for summer reading, games, and activities. City staff will be offering a light meal. Friday, August 6, 6 pm: more information.
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Yoga en el Parque: Acompañe Rebecca Mendoza, una instructora de yoga, en una hora de yoga relajante para comenzar el día! No es necesario registrarse. Sábado, el 7 de agosto, a las 10 de la mañana: Más Información.
 If you are fancy, like Nancy, you'd call it Plein Air Painting, but painting outside is a joy, whatever you call it:
- Check out our incredible Art Bar at Robert Crown Branch Library where you can pick up art projects to create outside in the Robert Crown Reading Garden, in a park, or bring home to the backyard.
- Learn how to set up Squirt Gun Painting so kids can create and have a blast!
- Try your hand at making Sidewalk Paint too!
- To further inspire you and your kids, read our new Paint and Create Booklist which includes a staff favorite painting book, I Ain't Gonna Paint No More by Karen Beaumont!
Grab and Go Art Activities are available for pick up at the Main Library or the Robert Crown Library Branch, while supplies last:
 Eid al-Adha, a major Muslim holiday, starts tonight, the evening of July 19; blessed Eid to all who celebrate! Eid al-Adha, or Big Eid, is a celebration of Abraham's (Ibrahim's) faithfulness, but it is also a time for feasts, donations to those in need, and gifts.
Eid al-Adha Islamic Bookmark Craft Kit! Everyone is welcome to come get your choice of an Islamic art bookmark kit (Turkey, Morocco, Spain, and more!) at the Main or Robert Crown Branch libraries during open hours, while supplies last. Best for K-5 and up. More Information,
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