The Beauty of April

Time sure flies when you're having fun. We're enjoying the last week of April, the warmer weather, the rain showers, and looking back on all the fun we've had this month.

This past weekend we celebrated the 40th birthday of our friend The Very Hungry Caterpillar with a very special birthday party storytime. Margaret and Miss Ellen led us all in a celebration of caterpillar!
(and SPEAKING of caterpillars, have you seen ours yet? They're here in the children's room, eating and doing their caterpillar thing. Keep checking in on their progress, until our butterfly release picnic Wednesday, May 27 at noon and Saturday, May 30 at noon.

Earlier this month, we had the privilege of listening to stories from different cultures around the world, told by renowned storyteller Linda Gorham. Linda's way is to encourage lots of audience participation, so we really got into the performance with our minds, bodies, and voices!

And we loved seeing our regular storytime goers, including this little one who had a lot of fun at Miss Ellen's Wednesday "Quack-ternoon":

ALSO! We've been celebrating National Poetry Month. We hope you had a chance to read some poems, and maybe even write some poems. We've got many varied poetry books here in the library (all year round!). And you still have time to check out our community poetry display, featuring poems from many River Forest school children.

Our Trip to the Beach!

Yes, you heard right.

THE BEACH.
IN FEBRUARY!

Last Saturday, we created our very own beach at the library. We read stories, played games, had a dance party, then cooled down with some treats. Thanks for all who came and made our trip so great!

Teddy Bear Picnic!

We hope you can make it to the Teddy Bear Picnic, this Saturday, November 8 at 2 pm.

Bring your teddy bear or favorite stuffed friend and join us for stories, a craft, and teddy bear treats.

Ages 3 to 8. Please register by calling the children's desk at 708-366-5205, or email parry.rigney@riverforestlibrary.org

Fall is Falling!

Welcome Fall! In case you haven't checked in with us in a while, here's what's going on at your library:

Fall Storytimes are running the first three weeks of every month:

Mother Goose storytime - Tuesdays at 10 am (9/30, 10/7, 10/14)
Toddler Time - Thursdays at 10 am (10/2, 10/9, 10/16)
Preschool storytime - Wednesdays at 10 am (10/1, 10/8, 10/15)
Preschool crafternoon - Wednesdays at 1:30 pm (10/1, 10/8, 10/15)

Pajama storytime will be held on the third Monday of the month at 6:30 (10/20)

We'll also have a special spooky Trick or Treat Storytime on Friday, October 31st at 10AM. Join us in costume!

Also, for kids in middle school and up, join Margaret our Teen Librarian and Make Your Own Magnetic Poetry Set ! On Saturday, September 27th, 2 to 4 p.m. Get crafty and make your own poetry kit, with words that mean something to you! You can make a magnetic poetry set for yourself, to give to a friend, to decorate your locket and more! All materials will be provided.

Lastly, stay tuned for information about this year's Family Fireside Halloween gathering, taking place Friday October 24th.

Extra! Extra! More Storytimes and Fun

Next week is the last week of summer reading. There's a lot going on at your library, celebrating all of our great summer reads!

There will be regularly schedule storytimes, Wednesday Lunch on the Lawn, and Thursday afternoon craft.

Also, we've newly added two story times. We hope you can come!

• Monday July 21, 3 PM - Stories on the Lawn - our preteen volunteers will be reading stories for kids age 3 - 8


• Tuesday July 22, 7 PM - Pajama Storytime (feel free to come in your pj's, but you don't have to!)

Plus! Don't forget, next Friday July 25, at 7 PM, Dave Rudolf will be performing at the library. Dave is a musician, comedian, and self-described goofball! This will be an all-ages, highly interactive, FUN show.

butterfly, fly!

Today at your library, butterflies were released, stories were heard, lunches were munched in the sunshine, and fun was had by all.

If you missed out, or just can't get enough, we hope you will come on Tuesday for the second butterfly release picnic party. The picnic and storytime will be at 11:30, and the release at 12:00 noon. Bring your blanket and picnic lunch and join us on the library lawn!

Storytimes

Storytimes are fun times here at the library. With a combination

of dancing, songs, games, and of course stories.... storytimes are a great time had by all. Come by and see one of these great storytimes for yourself!