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All patrons are welcomed, and encouraged (but not required) to wear face masks. Other precautions will remain in effect around library facilities, including capacity limits and physical distancing.
Looking for a good book for kids? Check out our online collection of EPL Kids booklists!
Tis the season: Support the Library!
Tuesday, January 3, 2023 | View in browser
 Evanston Public Library has created fun programs to keep your kids happy and busy during Winter Break:
How I Wonder Winter Reading Challenge (Ages 5 and up)! Pick up your Winter Reading Challenge sheet now at the Main Library or the Robert Crown Branch Library. Then swing by the library again to submit your completed challenge sheet and get a free book of your kids' choice! More information.
Twinkle Twinkle Winter Reading Challenge (Ages 5 and under)! We're not leaving the little ones out, we've got a fun reading challenge for infants through preschoolers too! More information.
Winter Storywalk in the Main Dempster Mile! Swing by the Robert Crown Branch Library to pick up a raffle sheet and then visit the twelve participating stores, each with a part of the original Winter story. When finished, bring your raffle entry back to the library! You might win a $50 gift certificate to one of the stores. Running now through January 7: More information.
New Years Celebration Scavenger Hunt (Family Fun) Search around the Children's Room to learn more about how different countries celebrate the new year for the chance to win a prize! Main Library, Children's Room, Running now through January 31: More information.
Make Your Own Storyboard Kit (All ages) Share your story with us! Stop by the Robert Crown Library Branch and pick up a simple Storyboard packet. While supplies last. Kits available starting Tuesday, December 27: More information.
Get a Museum Pass! Winter Break is a great time to check out a new museum, garden, zoo, or other fun and local cultural venue with a pass from Museum Adventure or Explore More Illinois! For Evanston Public Library patrons. More information.
 TOMORROW! Family Storytime and Craft: Mittens (Ages 3-7) Join us for stories, songs and a fun craft. Books appropriate for ages 3-7 but all are welcome. Wednesday, January 4, 6:30 pm, Barbara Friedberg Storytelling Room, Main Library: Register
Short and Sweet: The Owl and The Rabbit (Ages 2-7) At home or in- person, you choose! Take home kits featuring a link to a storytelling video and supplies to make a sweet craft available at the Robert Crown Branch Library and Main Library beginning Tuesday, January 10, Live storytelling Saturday, January 14, 10 am, Art Garden, Main Library: More information.
Jammie Time: Drop In Evening Family Fun Storytime (Ages 2-6)! Let us do your bedtime reading for you: visit the library in your jammies and listen to stories, sing songs, and have fun. All family members welcome; books selected for children ages 2 to 6. No registration required. Thursday, January 12, 6:30 pm, Main Children's Room, Main Library. More Information.
Join one of our February Weekly Storytime Series with your child:
All By Myself (Ages 3-5) A special storytime for children who are ready to attend a story program without parents and younger siblings. We'll share stories, songs and crafts for these "big kids in training." We run two separate sessions, please register for only one. Monday, January 30, 11 am, Barbara Friedberg Storytelling Room, Main Library: Register; OR Thursday, February 2, 1:30 pm, Barbara Friedberg Storytelling Room, Main Library: Register
Time for Twos (Ages 24-36 months) A story time filled with songs, picture books, puppets and rhymes for 24 to 36 months with parent, grandparent or caregiver. Tuesday, January 31, 11 am, Barbara Friedberg Storytelling Room, Main Library: Register.
The Young and The Restless (Ages 0-2) Join our infant through two year old indoor sing-along storytime. Thursday, February 2, 10 am, Community Meeting Room, Main Library: Register.
Don't forget our Fun Storytelling Videos for young kids!
Graphic Novel Book Club for Kids! (Grades 3-5) This month we will be discussing Michael Rex's bizarre sci-fi graphic novel, Your Pal Fred. Stop by the children's desk to pick up a copy to read beforehand. Saturday, January 7, 11 am, Barbara Friedberg Storytelling Room, Main Library: Register.
Northwestern's Dolphin Show Presents Matilda (Grades K and up) Participants will get a chance to see a performance, play theater games, and do activities based on the book. Saturday, January 7, 1 pm, Community Meeting Room, Main Library: Register.
Microwave Cooking Class: Snacks (Grades K-5)! Bring EPL into your kitchen and cook with us! This month Ms. Kim will be leading us through making some great snacks using a mug and a microwave. Saturday, January 21, 11 am, Zoom: Register.
Saying Yes to Your Story: A Conversation with Award Winning Writer, Kwame Alexander (Grades 3 and up) Join us for an evening with Kwame Alexander, author of the Newbery Award winning book, The Crossover, Newbery Honor/Caldecott Medal winning book, The Undefeated, and most recently, An American Story, for an Illinois Libraries Present event for young people and their families. Wednesday, February 8, 7 pm, ZOOM: Register.
 Whether or not we talk about it, kids make their own meaning about race. Consider these family-friendly, hands-on workshops incorporating art and play to:
- Affirm all shades of skin
- Explore our cultural and racial identities
- Learn accurate history
- Talk about what we’re learning and how we’re feeling
Learn more or register for the "Getting Started" workshop in January or early February! Last year's families said this was an excellent program their kids enjoyed. Libraries across the U.S. learned about Evanston Public Library's Dedicated to the Dream program at a recent American Library Association meeting! Don't miss this.
 Join our Martin Luther King Day Celebration! We will honor and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, January 16 with movies, crafts and, of course, Evanston's own Rev. Eddie Reeves doing a beautiful rendition of a portion of the I Have A Dream speech. If you haven't attended this annual event, you are in for a moving experience.
Start with two short films based on best-selling children's books to get an elementary school overview of Dr. King and the American Civil Rights movement:
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1:30 pm OR 2:15 pm: Martin's Big Words
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1:45 pm OR 2:30 pm: March On!
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3 pm Reverend Reeves will perform a portion of the Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech that brings Dr. King to life!
Monday, January 16, 1:30-3:30 pm, Main Library, Children's Room: More information.
 "On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me - - Nine ladies dancing..." Today is the ninth Day of Christmastide; we're just 3 days away from January 6, the Feast of Epiphany or Día de Los Reyes, Three Kings Day (The 12th Day of Christmas)! Christians commemorate this as the day that the infant, Jesus, was visited by the "Magi" who may or may not have been scientist priests of Persia. Children in Latin America, Spain, and in some parts of the United States receive the majority of their gifts from the Three Kings rather than on Christmas Day.
During Día de Los Reyes, a popular treat is Rosca de Reyes, or literally 'the wreath of kings' cake. It is an oval shape to symbolize a crown and is adorned with dried and candied fruits to symbolize the jewels of the crown; there's a tiny baby doll inside, which represents the infant Jesus, hiding from King Herod’s troops. Celebrate with us:
- Treats! Make an easy Rosca de Reyes recipe that kids can help with: Rosca de Reyes buns made with store-bought crescent rolls.
- Crowns! Make a no glue paper crown with your kids, or have older kids make them for younger ones!
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Día de Los Reyes Celebration! Best of all, join us for our Three Kings Day party! Ven a celebrar el Día de los Reyes Magos con una rosca y chocolate caliente. Juntos haremos un juguete caleidoscopio que tú mismo creas. Friday, January 6, 4 pm, Robert Crown Multipurpose Room, Robert Crown Branch Library: Register.
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