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Wednesday, July 5, 2023 | View in browser
 July is Blueberry Month! It is of course a great month to eat blueberries in smoothies, pies and even as part of a delicious salad! But it is also the name of Evanston Public Library's award for the best nature books of the year for kids! Summer is the best time to be outdoors, enjoying and connecting with nature.
Pick your own blueberries! The picking season in the Chicago area is usually July 15-August 1, but with the extreme drought and cool weather we've been having, it might be different this year. Here is your guide to blueberry picking in the Chicago area, including where to call to check on the harvest.
Read a Blueberry! Check out the Blueberry Award Winners we announced in March!
New Nature Boardbook Booklist aka the Baby Blueberry! Even though board books are not reservable, we created a brand new list for parents and teachers who asked about great nature books for the youngest kids. Use the list when you are browsing for board books at the library or buying board books for your youngest kids. Check out our brand new Best Nature Board Books of 2021 and 2022 !
Nature Tots and Tunes! The Ecology Center and the Library are collaborating on free storytime, song, and live animal programs in various parks this summer. Thursday, July 13, 5-7 pm, James Park: More Information.
Get outside with a Museum Adventure Pass! Take the kids to all the zoos and gardens that they missed during the school year! Get a pass from Museum Adventure or Explore More Illinois! For Evanston Public Library patrons only. One Museum Adventure Pass per family, per week: More information.
Blueberry Recipes for Kids:
TONIGHT! Family Storytime and Craft (ages 3-7) Join us for stories, songs and a fun craft. Books appropriate for ages 3-7 but all are welcome. Wednesday, July 5, 6:30 pm, Barbara Friedberg Storytelling Room, Main Library: Register.
Summer Saturdays Join us for an outdoor storytime and water play! EPL staff will be at Lee Street Beach for 45 minutes every Saturday! Books and songs are aimed at ages 3-5. Saturdays, July 8-August 19, 10 am, Lee Street Beach: More Information.
The Young and the Restless-OUTSIDE (ages 0-2) The Young and the Restless will coming to Eiden Park this summer! Bring a blanket and join us for some fun! We'll be there two days a week this summer! This event is weather permitting. Wednesdays and Thursdays, July 12-August 3, 10:15 am, Eiden Park: More Information.
Jammie Time! (pre K-grade 2) Visit the library in your jammies and listen to stories, sing songs, and have fun. Families welcome. Books are for those in Pre K and up to Grade 2, but all ages welcome. Thursday, July 13 at 6:30 pm, Children's Room, Main Library. More Information.
Lyle, Lyle Crocodile Preview Party (preschool-grade 2 and up) Northwestern's Imagine U players will kick off their latest theater production, Lyle the Crocodile based on the children's classic! Join members of the cast for story time and theatre games! Bring home your own hand made Lyle, too! Saturday, July 22, 10:30 am, Children's Room, Main Library. More Information!
Time to register for July Storytimes!
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All By Myself (Ages 3-5) A special 4-week 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." Mondays, July 10, 11 am, Barbara Friedberg Storytelling Room, Main Library: Register; OR Thursdays, July 13, 1:30 pm: Register.
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Time for Twos A 4-week storytime filled with songs, picture books, puppets and rhymes for 24 to 36 months with parent, grandparent or caregiver. Tuesdays, July 11, 10:30 am, Barbara Friedberg Storytelling Room, Main Library: Register.
Today! Maker Kids: Making Music (grades 3-5) Learn chords, notes and how to strum on a stringed instrument! Kids will then create a cardboard representation of the Woodrow to practice their finger placement and strum technique. For Evanston residents only please. Thursday, July 6, 3 pm, Barbara Friedberg Storytelling Room, Main Library: Register.
Super Mario Brothers Scavenger Hunt! Find all the Super Mario Brothers images in the Children's Department at the Main Library to get entered into a raffle for the chance to win a fun prize! Available throughout the month of July. More Information.
Graphic Novel Book Club for Kids (grades 3-5) You love graphic novels, now come talk about them! This month we will be discussing Jeremy Tankard's graphic novel, Yorick and Bones. Stop by the children's desk to pick up a copy to read beforehand. Must be an Evanston resident or attend school in District 65 to participate. Sunday, July 9, 2 pm, Barbara Friedberg Storytelling Room, Main Library: Register.
Shark Week is July 11-18! Celebrate by reading a shark book, shelved under x597.3, and/or getting a shark bookmark kit. Available at Crown and Main while supplies last! More Information!
MakerKids: Simple Science and STEAM (grades K-2) Young, budding scientists and engineers are invited to join us. Kids get to do some short science experiments and STEAM challenges! Wednesday, July 12, 3 pm, Barbara Friedberg Storytelling Room, Main Library: Register.
Bad Art Night Create art in a completely judgment free space. Want a space to be creative but not feel forced to make a masterpiece? Join us for bad art! Bring the creativity, we'll supply the art supplies. Take your artwork home or leave it for us to display, your choice! Thursday, July 13, 5 pm, Multipurpose Room, Robert Crown Branch Library: More Information.
Maker Kids: Dog Man and Friends (rising grades 3-5 only)! Dog Man fans rejoice! Prolific, preposterous, and sometimes profound author-illustrator Dav Pilkey has been delivering laughter, creativity, and inspiration for over two decades! Enjoy a program full of trivia, games, a reading of a classic Pilkey picture book, and other activities! Thursday, July 20, 4:15 pm, Community Meeting Room, Main Library: Register.
Creative Change! Make Your Own T-Shirt with Artist William Estrada! We will have artist William Estrada at the library with all the tools needed to create a personalized t-shirt! First come, first serve until supplies run out! Friday, July 21, 6-7 pm, Robert Crown Multipurpose Room, Robert Crown Branch Library: More Information.
 This year, the summer reading program is easy. No registration! No waiting in line! And your child still gets the free paperback book and loads of motivation for continuing to read over the summer. Our theme is 150 years, in celebration of the library's anniversary. The Summer Reading Challenge is for kids, birth to rising 5th graders. Come to the Main Library, Robert Crown Branch Library, or meet us outdoors at parks and events around Evanston this summer and:
- Pick up an activity card.
- Complete 5 of the 6 activities on the sheet. One of the activities is watching our wonderful Little Book Video that kicks off our reading program!
- One of the challenges is to read a book from our 101 Great Books for Kids list. Books range from simple picture books to novels and nonfiction for young and older.
- Turn in your finished card at either Evanston Library location and receive a free book!
- Compete a second card and get a Treasure Chest prize, too.
All participants will be entered into weekly prize drawings and a Grand Prize drawing at the end of the Challenge!
Other ages?
- We have special activity cards for our very youngest patrons, infants through age 3.
- Rising 6th graders through seniors in High School have another program, just as easy. Visit the Loft at the Main Library or Robert Crown for more information.
EPL On the Fly @ Mason Park! Come visit Mason Park and find a cool librarian who can help you get started on summer reading or do a fun craft or STEM project or just get a free book to read! Wednesday, July 19
11:30 am-1:30 pm, Mason Park: More information.
 Are your kids going for BINGO this year with the District 65 summer reading list? We've got all the lists here so you can reserve whichever book is next in your child's quest. While many of these books at the library are checked out, you can reserve from 20+ libraries using the lists. Items should be ready on hold for you in 3-4 days.
Also, we have copies of the K-2 and 3-5 bingo cards if you need one!
What is Bastille Day? In France it is known as Fête nationale française, celebrating the French Revolution that brought democracy to France. Called Bastllle Day in English this holiday celebrates the start of the French Revolution on July 14, 1789 when a "impenetrable" French prison was breached by the people. Although America's revolution influenced the French Revolution, America could not have won the war for independence from England without the French navy. Viva La France!
What can you do to celebrate?
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