Harry Potter’s World: In 1997, British author J.K. Rowling introduced the world to Harry Potter and a literary phenomenon was born. Although a fantasy story, the magic in the Harry Potter books is partially based on Renaissance traditions which played an important role in the development of Western science and medicine.
Step into Harry Potter’s world at the Zion-Benton Public Library, with an exhibit provided by the National Library of Medicine. Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic and Medicine explores the world of Harry Potter and its roots in Renaissance magic, science and medicine. The traveling exhibit will be on display at the library, May 7 through June 16. Click here for more information.
LIBRARY NEWS
Bookmark Contest Winners: Children in K-8th grades were invited to create a bookmark based on the summer reading club theme, “Reading is So Delicious.” The grand prize winner’s bookmark will be printed and distributed to all of the elementary school children in the ZB Library District. View the bookmarks here.
Visit the Library and Check Out a Museum: You can check out up to four passes for free admission to 17 Chicago-area museums and cultural attractions. The Museum Adventure Pass program is made possible with the generous support of Macy’s. For complete details, ask at the Circulation or Youth Reference Desks or visit the Museum Adventure Pass presented by Macy’s website.
FOR ALL KIDS
Family Movie: Everyone is invited to this exciting movie about a young wizard who is rescued from his horrible aunt and uncle to attend a magical school, thus beginning a series of battles and challenges while forging everlasting friendships. Saturday, May 26 at 1:30 p.m.
Rubber Ducky Reading Club: Readers in K-8th grades will earn a different duck every time they complete a category. Readers can collect up to eight different duckies! Register at the Youth Services Desk. The Rubber Ducky Reading Club runs through June 1.
Library Olympics: Kids, you don’t have to travel to London for the 2012 Summer Olympics. We’ll kick off the worldwide Games at the library on Saturday, June 2, at 1:00 p.m. Represent your town at our own Olympic Games and go for the gold!
Reading is So Delicious! The summer reading program officially begins Saturday, June 9. Join us at the Youth Services Food Court and find out how delicious reading can be! Kids from birth to 8th grade can pick up a weekly menu and complete the items on the menu to earn prizes!
The True Magic of Owls: In the wizarding world of Harry Potter, owls were used as pets and messengers. Some even performed heroically to deliver messages to or from their owners. On Saturday, June 9, at 1:30 p.m., naturalists from the Lake County Forest Preserve will talk about native owls and their natural history. We will learn their survival strategies, because being an owl isn’t easy, even if they don’t have to deliver wizard mail! Be sure to check out Harry Potter’s World! This special exhibit will only be at the library through June 16.
Marshmallow Challenge: Can your team build the tallest tower with a marshmallow on top in 18 minutes? Give it a try on Wednesday, June 13 at 1:30 p.m. We’ll provide all of the materials (even the marshmallows!) – you bring your building skills and teamwork will do the rest. Teams should consist of two to four members, which can include parents. If you don’t have a team, don’t worry! You can join one at the challenge. A new challenge starts every 20 minutes and you can compete as many times as you want!
Chess Night: Young and old are invited to play the world’s oldest war game and meet new people. Bring your own chess set or use one of ours. All skill levels are welcome.
- Wednesday, June 13 at 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 27 at 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 11 at 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 25 at 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, August 8 at 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, August 22 at 6:30 p.m.
Potions Class: Are you as good at potions as Neville Longbottom? All ages are invited to learn about the real plants that students at Hogwarts studied. On Saturday, June 16 at 1:30 p.m., members of the Illinois Dunesland Garden Club will teach you the magical qualities regular plants have! Be sure to check out Harry Potter’s World! This special exhibit will only be at the library through June 16.
Storytime with Cha Cha: Cha Cha the tree frog from Rainforest Café will be our special guest on Saturday, June 30 at 1:00 p.m. We’ll read a story then visit with Cha Cha. All ages are invited!
Reading is So Delicious: Mr. E and crew will make you laugh and help you celebrate summer reading! Join Shivers, Charlie, Maggie and Vern, for an afternoon full of magic, puppets and storytelling, on Saturday, July 14 at 1:00 p.m. We’ll talk about our favorite foods and candy and discover why Reading is So Delicious! This program is sponsored by a generous donation in memory of Janis Chalfant.
Outdoor Movie: Join us at dusk to enjoy a family movie on the library’s lawn on Thursday, July 19 at 8:30 p.m. Bring chairs, blankets, snacks and bug spray! All ages will enjoy this fun film about some shipwrecked chipmunks.
Teddy Bear Tea Party: Dress up and bring your favorite Teddy to tea! Kids are invited to a special Tea Party on Wednesday, August 8 at 2:00 p.m. You and your bear can splurge on special treats and enjoy games, books and a craft. Registration is recommended since we don’t want hungry bears in the library! To register, call 847.872.4680, ext. 5 or register online.
The Big Chill: Liquid (and solid) nitrogen has a temperature of -323 degrees Fahrenheit. It is cold–very cold! On Thursday, August 9 at 1:00 p.m., discover the extraordinary things that happen to ordinary materials when subjected to these super-cold temperatures. Watch as ordinary ingredients such as cream, sugar and vanilla flavoring turn into ice cream in less than 30 seconds, with the help of liquid nitrogen, and then taste the magic of science! Registration is recommended. Call 847.872.4680, ext. 5 or register online. This program is sponsored by a generous donation in memory of Lee Fischer.
Pets on the Prowl: A local veterinarian will explain to children and their parents how to care for cats and dogs, animal safety and how to choose the right pet on Monday, August 20 at 2:00 p.m. We’ll even have some four-legged friends join us! Registration is recommended. Call 847.872.4680, ext. 5 or register online.
PRESCHOOL
Dora & Thomas Preschool Picnic: Children up to age 6 are invited to bring their favorite stuffed animal friend & their grownups for a Dora & Thomas picnic under the trees at the library on Saturday, May 26, at 11:00 a.m. Feel free to bring a beach towel or blanket. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we’ll move the fun inside. Bring a lunch or snack; drinks will be provided. Registration is requested. Call 847.872.4680, ext. 5 or register online.
Preschool Programs: Help your child get ready to read in these half-hour sessions with stories, fingerplays and music. Caregivers are offered instruction and take-home sheets on child development and early literacy skills. Starts the week of June 4 and end the week of June 25.
- Infants and Toddlers Together is a fun-filled session for children up to 3 years of age. One caregiver per child is encouraged. Mondays at 6:00 p.m. Call 847.872.4680, ext. 5 or register online.
- Tiny Tyke Time is for children ages 18 months to 3 years. One caregiver per child is encouraged. Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. Call 847.872.4680, ext. 5 or register online.
- Stories and More sessions are for children ages 3 to 6 and are offered three times a week. Come to one session or all of them! Mondays at 10:30 a.m.; Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.
Stuffed Animal Sleepover: Kids, ages six and younger, can bring their stuffed animal to the library for an overnight sleepover. Bring your stuffed friend to the library on Monday, July 9 at 6:00 p.m. We’ll read a book and tuck our “stuffies” in for the night. Return the next afternoon to pick up your animal and see what silly things your animal did in the library when it should have been sleeping! Registration is recommend to make sure we have enough beds. Call 847.872.4680, ext. 5 or register online.
Preschool Programs: Help your child get ready to read in these half-hour sessions with stories, fingerplays and music. Caregivers are offered instruction and take-home sheets on child development and early literacy skills. Starts the week of July 16 and end the week of August 4.
- Infants and Toddlers Together is a fun-filled session for children up to 3 years of age. One caregiver per child is encouraged. Mondays at 6:00 p.m. Call 847.872.4680, ext. 5 or register online.
- Tiny Tyke Time is for children ages 18 months to 3 years. One caregiver per child is encouraged. Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. Call 847.872.4680, ext. 5 or register online.
- Stories and More sessions are for children ages 3 to 6 and are offered three times a week. Come to one session or all of them! Mondays at 10:30 a.m.; Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.
On Top of Spaghetti Preschool Dance: Kids, ages six and younger, bring your grownups to enjoy music, games, activities and refreshments on Saturday, July 21 at 12:30 p.m. Registration is requested. To register, call 847.872.4680, ext. 5 or register online.
KIDS ENTERING K-4TH GRADES
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs: How would YOU like it if rained and snowed food? Sounds good for a while, but what if the weather doesn’t match what you are hungry for? Kids are invited to read Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett on Tuesday, June 26 at 1:00 p.m. Afterwards we’ll do a delicious craft.
Animal Café: Kids are invited to bring a lunch to the Animal Café on Thursday, July 5, anytime between 1:00-2:30 p.m. We’ll supply dessert and drinks. If you want a lunch date, bring a stuffed animal guest.
Pickles to Pittsburgh: What would you do if your food grew so big that it had to be moved by helicopter? Kids are invited to make a picture collage out of paper, as we travel with the book Pickles to Pittsburgh by Judi Barrett on Tuesday, July 11 at 1:00 p.m.
The Greatest Potatoes: Was the potato chip invented by mistake, or was it on purpose? Kids are invited to enjoy some chips and soda as we hear one possible explanation from The Greatest Potatoes by Penelope Stowell, on Tuesday, July 18 at 1:00 p.m.
Stone Soup: What would you do if you were hungry and had nothing but an empty pot? Kids are invited to create items to add to the pot as we hear about this old folk story in which hungry strangers trick people into giving them food on Tuesday, July 25 at 1:00 p.m.
Food Art – Collage: Kids are invited to make a collage of their favorite foods out of paper on Wednesday, August 1 at 1:00 p.m.
