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Monday, January 17, 2022 | View in browser
The American Library Association announced its Youth Media Awards last Monday! Library professionals, students, publishers, and booklovers across the globe followed results via webstream.
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The Newbery Award goes to The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera. "Higuera spins a tale that crosses the depths of space, interweaving Mexican folklore with a mystical strand of science fiction.” Kirkus
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The Caldecott Award goes to Watercress illustrated by Jason Chin, written by Andrea Wang: "The daughter of immigrants relates an emotional childhood memory that opened the door to her Chinese roots." Shelf Awareness
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The Coretta Scott King Illustrator and Author Award are for the same book this year: Unspeakable by Carole Boston Weatherford illustrated by Floyd Cooper, about the Tulsa Race Massacre.
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The Pura Belpré Awards: ¡Vamos! Let's Cross the Bridge, illustrated by Raúl the Third and The Last Cuentista, written by Donna Barba Higuera, also the winner of the Newbery.
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The Asian/Pacific American Award: Watercress by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Jason Chin, which also won the Caldecott, and Amina's Song by Hena Khan.
- And so much more; there were 22 different awards given last Monday!
We've created a 2022 Awards Booklist for you to see all the winners and honor books in one place and to reserve these books for your kids. This list does not include the many young adult awards, also announced on January 24.
 Big News! Evanston Public Library Children's Librarian Brian E. Wilson headed up the national committee to select the Children's Literature Legacy Award Winner this year. We're real proud of Brian! The Legacy Award is the "lifetime achievement" award for Children's Literature.
The Legacy Award this year went to Grace Lin. Lin has written and/or illustrated more than 40 books for children! Her many awards include a 2010 Newbery Honor for Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, a 2011 Geisel Honor for Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same, and a 2019 Caldecott Honor for A Big Mooncake for Little Star. Here is a link to our list of great books by Grace Lin.
Want to learn more? Catch Grace Lin reading from her bestselling book, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. Or listen to this powerful independent Ted Talk in which she shares about writing books that she would have wanted to read as a child.
"With her exuberant art and storytelling, Lin creates unforgettable books that engage all children, while incorporating elements of her own life and heritage,” said Children’s Literature Legacy Award Committee Chair Brian E. Wilson. More from the selection committee here.
Time for Twos (24-36 months!) Come enjoy this four week storytime filled with songs, picture books and rhymes for two year olds with a parent or caregiver. Everyone should wear masks; we will be socially distanced from one another. Include your email when registering for this program just in case we have to cancel, as we monitor the COVID 19 conditions. Starting tomorrow, Tuesday, February 1, 10:30 am, Main Children's Room: Register.
All By Myself Storytime (Ages 3-5) A special four week storytime for children who are ready to attend a longer story program with a craft. We'll share stories, songs and crafts for these "big kids in training," though parents are currently requested to stay for the program. Include your email when registering for this program just in case we have to cancel, as we monitor the COVID 19 conditions. Thursday, February 3, 1:30 pm, Community Meeting Room: Register; or Monday, February 7, 11 am, Community Meeting Room: Register.
Short & Sweet: The Gunniwolf. A DIY story time take home craft kit! Scan the code to watch one of our librarians tell a short story. Then make some sweet props to act out the story on your own. Come into the Main Library and pick up a craft kit inspired by the story. Kits are available while supplies last through February 28. More information.
Hora de Aventuras (Hour of Adventures) Cuenta cuentos en español para niñas y niños de primaria: NEW VENUE-Robert Crown Center Lobby, in person. Hola! Ven a la biblioteca para escuchar cuentos en español. Algunos divertidos, otros tiernos, o de risa...o de miedo! Cada lunes a las 4 pm. Deja volar tu imaginación con nosotras! Próximo: Monday, February 7, 4 pm: Register. Monday, February 14, 4 pm: Register.
Virtual Ballad of Mulan Preview Party with NU's Imagine U Players! Northwestern theater artists will share a sneak peak of their new production and teach us some cool stage combat techniques. A unique treat: hear the beginning of the ancient Chinese poem, The Ballad of Mulan, in Old Chinese! Everyone that registers and attends gets a chance at Free Tickets to NU's show too! Enjoy this Ballad of Mulan booklist to prepare for the show! Saturday, February 19, 10:30 am: Register.
Virtual Graphic Novel Book Club: Earth Boy (Grades 3-5): You love graphic novels, now come talk about them! This month we will be discussing Paul Tobin's graphic novel, Earth Boy. You can find an ebook copy available on Hoopla here. Or if you prefer, feel free to place a hold on a physical copy of the title here. Be sure to include your email when registering so that you can be invited to the call! Saturday, February 19, 3 pm: Register.
 Some of our happiest memories include families watching the Olympics together! Some suggestions for enjoying the Winter Olympics as a family:
 Valentines Day is almost here! First, grab some books from our fabulous Love is All Around booklist. Then, get a Valentine's Day Card craft kit! We've got TWO different kits for your kids for Valentine's Day, based on their age.
1. I love you OODLES Craft Kit for kids 7 and under! Come to the Main Library OR Robert Crown Branch Library to pick up the craft kit starting January 31, while supplies last. This kit will result in a gorgeous mini-poster declaring your child's love! More Information.
2. Valentine's Day Circuit Card Kit for kids 8 and up! Learn about circuits by creating Valentine’s Day card that lights up. More Information.
Speaking of love letters, the staff of the EPL KIDS Newsletter is so grateful to YOU and the other 6000 Evanston patrons who read our newsletter, click on our links, and register for our programs: together, we are the library!
 Black History Month starts tomorrow and we can hardly wait! We've got so much great stuff planned:
Evanston Black History Scavenger Hunt! Walk through the Main Children's Room or the Robert Crown Branch Library to learn about Evanston's Black History! Twelve hidden pictures. One clue sheet in your hand. How many pictures can you find? How much of our history will you learn? Starting Tuesday, February 1, 10 am and continuing all month! More Information.
Make Your Own Basquiat-Inspired Crown! Well-known contemporary artist Jean-Michel Basquiat used lots of images of crowns in his colorful artwork; they represented power, strength, and respect for the people that influenced him. He also used the crown to portray Black people as saints or kings. The picture above is from a Basquiat exhibit. Kits will be available starting Tuesday, February 1, 10 am, at both locations, while supplies last: More Information.
Make Your Own Cartoon Glass Painting: Black History Month Craft Kit! (Age 10 through teens only) Calling all cartoon lovers! Learn to paint some of the most iconic Black cartoon characters in TV/Film, like Black Panther and Miles Morales! Instructions on how to trace and paint your own glass painting of these and other fun characters included in the kit. Kits available starting Tuesday, February 1, 10 am, at both locations, while supplies last: More Information.
Black History Game Night! Test your knowledge of Black History for the chance to win fun prizes-all from the comfort of your own home! The topics of this family friendly game will range from sports to science, leaders to poems, movies to food and everything in between. Only one family per registration; include the number of people attending. Friday, February 25, 6:30 pm: Register.
Great New Booklists:
 Happy Lunar New Year to all, celebrated tomorrow, February 1, this year.
新年好 and 心想事成 - China
새해 복 많이 받으세요 - Korea
Chúc Mừng Năm Mới or 祝𢜏𢆥𡤓 - Vietnam
Come pick up a book, your craft kit, and then enjoy our stories and songs in the accompanying Lunar New Year video!
Create a joyous Family Night (or afternoon!) this coming weekend with our books and craft suggestions:
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To say the pandemic has been exhausting is an understatement. We have a powerful vaccine, are continuing our mitigations, and are working together to keep each other safe, yet here we are nearing the start of year 3 with a surge in Covid cases due to the Omicron variant and much still is uncertain. We as adults find this very confusing, frustrating, and challenging to accept; so it is no wonder that kids are experiencing increased anxiety, sadness, and stress as they have their lives interrupted, once again.
Parents, guardians, and adults in kids’ lives—you are all doing a great job! Every day you navigate your own losses and big feelings while also providing stability and answers for kids. Here are some reminders we all need:
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Validate. It’s OK and normal for kids (and adults) to feel anxious during this time. Validate their feelings and talk about what is happening in age-appropriate ways.
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Identify. Help kids learn about their feelings and identify what they are feeling. They will experience a variety of feelings, not always happy ones, and that is OK. Naming a feeling helps reduce its power over our lives.
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Learn New Strategies. Practice coping strategies with kids to work through “big feelings” as they arise, such as deep breathing, The 54321 Grounding Technique, sensory tools (like a stress ball or fidget), and practicing gratitude and positive affirmations.
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Check out a good book. Check out our Emotions and Mental Health for Kids booklist. Also, come to the Main Library for a display of kids' books on mindfulness, meditation, and stress relief and to get printed worksheets for practicing emotional regulation and staying in the present moment.
Take a deep breath, you’ve got this and are doing a wonderful job! If you would like to talk with our Social Worker or for additional resources, please call Tabitha Ledbetter, LCSW at (847) 448-8659. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call the AMITA Health Behavioral Health Crisis Hotline at (708) 681-4357.
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