Children showing up Saturday morning at the Indian Prairie Public Library were there for more than checking out books or listening to stories. They were joining the construction trade.
About 45 first- through sixth-graders came to the Home Sweets Home program to build houses they could eat.
“They can use frosting if they want to make it completely edible,” said librarian Monica Dzierzbicki. “If they want to design something that’s a little sturdier, we do have some cool touch glue material they can use as well.”
The program is part of Rediscover Home, a collaboration of nine libraries this spring that took the place of The Big Read program, where the libraries all based programming around one book.
Throughout March and April, libraries from La Grange to Lisle have been hosting events such as cooking demonstrations, concerts, book discussions and bungalow history lessons.
Programs are categorized according to age level for adults, teens and children, as well as by an array of interests. Topics include decorating and design, cooking, pets, gardening, music, movies, health and safety, architecture and nontraditional homes.
Dzierzibicki said the edible homes program was part of the science, technology, engineering and math curriculum schools are using, only in this case having children use a collection of cookies and other materials to design their homes.
“When they’re building with material, they’re able to understand that structures need to have a firm foundation to be built upon,” Dzierzibicki said. “Many of the programs that we’re offering do include some type of STEM learnings.”
The difference, perhaps, is the outlet for creativity.
“It’s totally driven by their imagination,” she said.