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Monday, September 27, 2021 | View in browser
Want to get kids more interested in reading? Have them meet authors and be motivated to write and illustrate a book themselves! We have an incredible line up of inspiring authors and illustrators to give your kids a literacy experience involving cultural knowledge, art, and humor! You can read these authors' books now by checking out this booklist from upcoming author visits.
Virtual Author Visit: Traci Sorell. Award-winning author, Traci Sorell, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, will visit the library to talk about her writing process, her inspiration, and works such as We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga, and We Are Still Here! Native American Truths Everyone Should Know. A Q&A will follow; all ages welcome. Prepare your kids to celebrate Indigenous People's Day with a better understanding of contemporary Native Americans! Wednesday, October 6, 6 pm: Register.
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Virtual Author Visit with Multi-Award Winner and Evanstonian, Cozbi A. Cabrera! Spend your Sunday afternoon with Evanston author/illustrator Cozbi A. Cabrera, who just received a 2021 Caldecott Honor and a 2021 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor for her book Me & Mama. Cozbi will share her books and her painting process! She's also a gifted fiber artist and will lead participants through an optional simple fabric craft that's perfect for the whole family, even little ones! All ages welcome. Sunday, October 24, 3 pm: Register. PLEASE NOTE: THIS EVENT HAS CHANGED ITS DATE and all previous registrants have been lost. Please sign up again and we apologize!
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Meet Illustrator Andrea Tsurumi and Author Jarrett Dapier - A Mr. Watson's Chickens Virtual Visit! Enjoy this online event with the creators of the hilarious new picture book Mr. Watson's Chickens! Jarrett Dapier, who also just published Jazz Lunch this year, was a teen librarian with the Evanston Public Library in the past, so you may recognize him. Enjoy learning about how authors and illustrators work together to make magic on the page! Sunday, November 7, 4 pm: Register.
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 Banned Books Week, September 26 to October 2, emphasizes the importance of free access to information and stories for everyone. Due to recent controversies around teaching about race, there has been a nationwide uptick in books being challenged for sharing information about racism or just for centering non-white characters.
Celebrate your freedom to read by checking out books in our new Banned or Challenged booklist for kids, or come see our display at the Main Library. We'll have a complete list of books for your reference, fun worksheets, and some homemade "Read Banned Books" buttons, too!
 Though modern biscotti are associated with the Tuscan region of Italy, the popular Italian cookie traces its origins to the Roman Empire. Biscotti were a staple of the diet of the Roman Legions; now your kids can make and enjoy them too! The word biscotto comes from bis (Latin for "twice") and cotto ("cooked" in Italian, updated from "cocta" in Latin.). Join Ms. Kim in this fun video and follow along as you make Cinnamon Sugar Biscotti! (Get in the mood for a tea party or coffee date with this new booklist.)
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Virtual Caldecott Club: Join this fun discussion group about picture books that might win the 2022 Caldecott Award (the award for most distinguished illustrations)! Kids in grades 1-8 will review, discuss, and vote on books presented at each of three meetings. Kids will choose their winner in January. A great opportunity to learn how to analyze books from an expert! Mr. Brian was on the 2017 National Caldecott Committee. First meeting on Tuesday, October 12, 6:45 pm: Register.
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Virtual Young Scientists Book Club: Masterminds! In the Young Scientist Book Club, kids in grades 3-5 will read fun, engaging, STEM-focused books from all genres and formats. This month we are reading Masterminds by Gordon Korman. You can find an e-book copy available on Hoopla here. (Or reserve a hard copy of the book!) Thursday, October 14, 4:30 pm: Register.
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Microwave Cooking Class: Gluten Free! We'll be trying out a few different recipes live on Zoom. An ingredient lists will be sent out ahead of time in case you'd like to cook along with Ms. Laura, who eats gluten free herself. All recipes will be emailed after the program. Designed for K-5th grade. Saturday, October 16, 11 am: Register.
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Family Storytime and Craft: Monsters! Join Ms. Kim for some fun monster stories, songs and a craft. Craft kits will be available at the Main Library starting October 1 for registered participants. Tuesday, October 19, 6 pm: Register.
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Kids' Staff Recommendations! Check out our October staff recommendations alongside picks from Evanston's kids in Squawker's Libr-Eyrie! Squawker is the male falcon that has often returned to the library to raise his family; an eyrie is a nest. Reserve one of Squawker's top picks or stop by the library to see our display. We also invite your kids to recommend books for November's list!
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Library Card Month Kids Giveaway: September is National Library Card month. Last chance to come to the library, show us your family's new or existing library card, and pick out a small prize from our treasure chest! Come to either the Main Library or the Robert Crown Branch Library. One prize per child, for kids ages 3-10. Through September 30, during open hours: More Information.
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Gather in the Garden: Drop by the Robert Crown Branch Library Reading Garden for physically-distanced, masked, outdoor activities. Best for families with kids ages 3 and up, but all are welcome. Thursday, September 30, 10:45 am, AND Thursday, October 7, 10:45 am. More Information.
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The Young and the Restless OUTSIDE (0-2 year olds). Join our sing-along storytime outdoors at our local park! We will gather safely outdoors, socially distanced 6 feet apart, with adults and 2 year olds masked! We will be in Cornelia Lunt Park, at the corner of Church and Judson, a block and a half from the Main Library. Thursdays, October 7, October 14 and October 28, 10 am: More Information.
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Kids' Book Character Pumpkin Decorating! Get into the fall spirit with the Evanston Public Library by decorating a pumpkin like your favorite book character and bringing it back to the library to display! This event will run until November 5. Pumpkins available at the Main Children's Desk starting Friday, October 1, while supplies last. You can use your own pumpkin if that's easier. More Information.
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Black Business Month Raffle Winners! Congratulations to Damita Craven and Hanna Seltzer, who won $50 gift certificates, announced at our Community Block Party September 11. Thanks to all who participated!
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Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month! This celebration, from September 15 to October 15, celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The library is so excited to present:
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"Celebrating Mi Gente" Display: Did you know that 8 out of 10 new businesses in the U.S. are formed by Hispanics? Check out our Mi Gente Display to learn more amazing facts about Hispanics in the U.S. Available for viewing during open hours at the Robert Crown Branch Library and the Main Library. September 15 through October 15: More information.
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Seek and Find: Hispanic Heritage Month: 12 posters celebrating Hispanic and Latino culture are displayed around the room at both the Main Library and Robert Crown Branch Library. Grab a clue sheet to start your learning adventure! Hay doce carteles que celebran la cultura Hispana y Latina en diferentes zonas de la sala. Toma una hoja de pistas para comenzar tu aventura de aprendizaje. More Information.
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Cuentacuentos en español: Venga a la biblioteca en Robert Crown para escuchar cuentos en español y celebrar el Mes de la Herencia Hispana haciendo una pequeña manualidad. Con la Sra. Bea el lunes, 11 de octubre, a las 4:30 pm: Registrarse.
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Do It Yourself Lotería! Lotería (the Spanish word for "lottery") is a traditional game of chance, similar to bingo. Boards will be available for pick-up at the Robert Crown Branch Library only. For kids age 8 and up. Through October 15 or while supplies last. More Information.
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Create a Mola Craft Kit! A Mola (pictured above) is a textile folk art form from Panama. They are traditionally made from layers of colored fabric combined with applique techniques. Molas often feature animals like birds, turtles, or fish. Pick up a kit containing a template for your animal of choice, craft supplies, and directions. Designed for 1st graders and up, the kit is available at the Main Library and the Robert Crown Branch Library. Through October 15 or while supplies last. More information.
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The Pura Belpré Award, established in 1996, is presented annually to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children. Check out these Pura Belpré booklists: Author Awards and Illustrator Awards!
 Robin Sindelar & Amanda Mitchell, staff at Robert Crown Branch Library, both live in small apartments. How do they fit books into their lives? E-books to the rescue!
Robin: I do think mindfully incorporating e-books into the reading life of a family can enhance the pleasures of reading and accessing information.
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For Travel: I have the Libby and Hoopla apps downloaded on my phone. I don’t have to use up space to carry a book; and no accidentally leaving a book behind!
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As a Placeholder for a Paper Copy on Hold: I can check out the e-book and begin the book, then return it when the paper copy comes in. The e-book is returned instantly. If you have kids waiting for sequels, this works great!
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While Transporting Your Kids: I highly recommend audiobooks for car trips, but also for driving to and from school and activities.
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For Some Reluctant Readers: Using a device to read might feel more comfortable or exciting to someone who is more interested in tech.
Amanda fell in love with e-books in college:
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For Reading in Bed at Night: I can read in bed without a lamp, and, if I fall asleep reading, I don't lose my page!
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For Support with Learning a New Language: Reading in a new language, it was enormously helpful to have a dictionary at my fingertips. Don’t know a word? Just tap the word to see the definition. Even better, my e-reader saved the words that I looked up, so I had a list of vocabulary to study.
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For Reading Graphics and Magazines: I can read a multitude of magazines on Libby through the library on my tablet without ever having to leave the couch.
Check out our information about different e-book and audiobooks, including Hoopla, Libby (Overdrive), Tumblebooks, and Bookflix! Watch our video tutorials to learn more. As Amanda says, Don't be intimidated; give it a try! We update these booklists of great e-books for kids every month:
 The Archaeopteryx is the earliest known bird...and it was a dinosaur! When paleontologists discovered it, the achaeopteryx fossil blew their minds. Here was proof of a transitional creature between dinosaurs and modern birds! We celebrate this discovery on September 30 every year, the day the news was first published. Do you have a dinosaur lover in your family?
- Check out some of the books in our amazing Dinosaur Booklist!
- Create a fossilized dinosaur egg with a baby dinosaur inside for your child to discover.
- Do you have a plastic dinosaur at home? Make Dinosaur Fossil Cookies! Or create a stegosaurus from a flat half moon-shaped watermelon slice. Use halved strawberries for the "stony plates" along the back, halved banana for the legs, a grape for his head, and an orange slice for the end of his tail! So dino-licious!
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