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Tuesday, August 15, 2023 | View in browser
 Evanston Public Library Children's Team (across both locations) wishes all students a happy return to classes, whether it be twice a week toddler class or starting 5th grade! The library is your resource for books and research materials for your child's reading, learning, and growing! We're here to help!
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READ: Check out our Back to School booklist for easing that transition!
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Research and Reading support! We've got three pages of great reference links for your kids, from finding a great picture for your research report to multiple online encyclopedias and fun online books! While we love seeing you all in person, you can also fill out this LitMatch form and within a few days we will create a short list of books custom selected for your child. We'll also reserve the books, if you like!
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Relax. Build in some breaks for the whole family with a Museum Adventure Pass! 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.
Star Wars Scavenger Hunt. May the Force be with you! Find all the Star Wars images in the Children's Department at the Main Library to be entered into a raffle for the chance to win a fun prize! Available throughout the month of August. More Information.
Nature Tots and Tunes (2-5 years and up)! The Ecology Center and the Library are collaborating on free storytime, song, and live animal programs in various parks this summer. Thursday, August 17, 5-7 pm, Brummel Park: More Information; AND Thursday, August 31, 5-7 pm, Lovelace Park: More Information.
Tween Anime Club Meetup! (ages 9-11) Calling all anime lovers! Come join us for an evening of all things anime! *Not a regular club meeting—regular meetings will resume in September.* Friday, August 18, 4:30 pm, Robert Crown Multipurpose Room, Robert Crown Branch Library: Register.
Summer Saturdays (ages 3-5) Join us for our final outdoor storytime and water play event! EPL staff will be at Lee Street Beach for 45 minutes this Saturday! Saturday, August 19, 10 am, Lee Street Beach: More Information.
 Time for Twos (age 2) A storytime filled with songs, picture books, puppets and rhymes for 24 to 36 months with parent, grandparent or caregiver. Tuesday, September 12, 10:30 am, Barbara Friedberg Storytelling Room, Main Library: Register.
The Young and the Restless OUTSIDE (ages 0-2)! Join our drop-in sing- a-long storytime outdoors at a local park! Bring a blanket and dress for the weather! Wednesday, September 13, 10:15 am, Eiden Park: More information.
The Young and the Restless INDOORS (ages 0-2) This is a registered multi-week storytime for our youngest patrons. Singing is one of the best ways for little ones to learn language -- and it is so fun to sing together! Thursday, September 14, 10:15, Community Meeting Room, Main Library: Register.
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." Thursday, September 14, 1:30 pm, Barbara Friedberg Storytelling Room, Main Library: Register.
Tween Anime Club! (ages 9-11) Calling all anime lovers! Come join us for an evening all-things-anime! Hang out and watch anime, talk about your favorites, have a snack, do some crafts, and play some games! Tween Anime club meets on the second Thursday of every month. Thursday, September 14, 4:30 pm, Robert Crown Multipurpose Room, Robert Crown Branch Library: Register.
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, September 14, 6:30 pm, Children's Room, Main Library. More Information.
Around the World Scavenger Hunt! In honor of Hispanic Heritage Heritage Month, Hada and Little Book took a trip around the world. Join us for this exciting scavenger hunt to find all their adventure locations for the chance to win some special prizes. Friday, September 15 through October 15, Main Library: More Information.
Graphic Novel Book Club for Kids! (grades 3-5) Do you love graphic novels? Come join us as we discuss this month's graphic novel, Hooky, by Míriam Bonastre. Stop by the children's desk to pick up a copy to read beforehand. Saturday, September 16, 11 am, Barbara Friedberg Storytelling Room, Main Library: Register.
 The Summer Reading Challenge runs through August 31. Don't forget to swing by the library and turn in your card for your prizes! If you have just a few items left on your first activity card, here are simple ways to complete it:
Grand Prize drawing winners will be announced in early September!
National Thrift Shop Day, Thursday, August 17, is important as climate change challenges us to reduce the number of products we buy. Introduce the kids to thrifting as a great way to be kind to the earth! If that goes well, celebrate Second Hand September when Oxfam asks us to take a month off from buying new clothes. Join us for some fun green events at the library:
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Upcycling Fair! Learn how to transform items that would normally be discarded into the landfill. Activities include how to patch clothing, mend and revamp clothes, rewire a lamp, a Tools 101 tutorial, and more! Sunday, August 27, 1-4 pm, Robert Crown Multipurpose Room, Robert Crown Branch Library: More Information.
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Puzzle Swap! Do you have a puzzle that your family no longer uses or has already put together? Even if you don't have something to swap, stop by and pick up something new to try out:
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Main Library: *A cookbook swap is also included at this location!* Saturday, September 2, 4-5:30 pm, Community Meeting Room, Main Library: More Information; AND Tuesday, September 5, 5-6:30 pm, Community Meeting Room, Main Library: More Information.
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Robert Crown Branch Library: Sunday, September 10, 1-4 pm, Robert Crown Multipurpose Room, Robert Crown Branch Library: More Information.
 World Honey Bee Day, Saturday, August 19, celebrates the benefits honey bees provide from pollinating our crops to sweetening our food. Critically, the day also raises awareness about recent honey bee losses to help us reduce the harm we do to all insects. In addition to honey bees, we are also concerned about the 500 local bee species in Chicagoland! Many people in Evanston have been planting natives to support the endangered Rusty Patch Bumble Bee. Here are a few tips on how to celebrate:
 Back-to-School Note from our former social worker, Tabitha Ledbetter:
It can be a challenge to shift out of a “summer-fun” mentality and back into early mornings, routines, homework, separating from parents, and perhaps increased worries about what returning to school may mean. Kids may be excited to see friends again, learn new things, and engage in new activities, and they also may be worried about bullying, school violence, community violence, academic performance, and separating from parents.
Adults can help kids feel prepared to encounter these worries and stressors:
- Identify Feelings and Role Play. Validate their feelings and talk through various scenarios and ways in which they can respond. Help kids find ways to express themselves through words, if possible, and role play at home how to respond to bullying, panic, and social fears that may come up in school or other activities.
- Look for Adult Support. Remind them that they can talk to you or other trusted adults about what is going on; sometimes just saying things aloud can make it feel less scary.
- Handle Big Emotions. Help kids find ways to manage big emotions through breathing exercises, carrying a grounding object in their pocket (such as a rock, photo, or other soothing-to-them item), writing or drawing out their feelings, and identifying a trusted adult at school to talk to if overwhelmed.
- Create Mindfulness Routines. Build daily routines which include mindfulness activities, such as breathing and grounding exercises, so that kids learn to utilize these early on and know to expect them each day. Check out books from the library on age-appropriate mindfulness activities and coping strategies for kids to learn more.
Communicate often with teachers, school counselors, and health care providers, especially if you are concerned about your child’s behavior, and to find additional support if needed.
Take good care of yourself too and remember to breathe, talk through your feelings, and ask for help for yourself as needed. Hug your loved ones tight and ground yourself to the here and now when things feel overwhelming.
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