The new Storybook Picassos program held Thursday afternoons at Ella Johnson Memorial Public Library, 109 S. State St. in Hampshire, recently finished its first six-week session by having children make decorative spiders and spiderwebs for Halloween.
Before they made glittery spiderwebs and clay spiders with pipe-cleaner legs Oct. 22, the children listened to Dawn Cummins, the library’s youth services manager, read “The Spider and the Fly,” which was written by Mary Howitt and illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi.
Other books featured during the inaugural session included ones by Maurice Sendak, Lois Ehlert and Ann Jonas.
After a book is read, the children complete an art project based on the book. Snacks are provided.
“We started Storybook Picassos to go with the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) program being taught in schools,” Cummins said. “Schools are putting an emphasis on STEAM learning because this is where future jobs are headed.”
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The children who attended the program are students at Hampshire Elementary School, Gary D. Wright Elementary School and St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School, all located in Hampshire. There were also some home-schooled children who signed up for the program.
According to Cummins, the next free session will begin at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12. Registration is required.
The library, which was started in 1936, serves approximately 16,000 residents of Hampshire, Burlington and Pingree Grove in addition to parts of neighboring areas of Elgin and Huntley. It covers a 100-square-mile area in Kane County, including Hampshire Township, plus areas of Burlington Township, Plato Township and Rutland Township.
The library is heading into its second fall session for children’s story time.
According to library officials, the second fall session of toddler time, from Nov. 12 to Dec. 17, for ages 6 months to 3 years, runs Thursdays at 10 a.m.
The second fall session of preschool story time for ages 3 to 5 is held Mondays from Nov. 9 to Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. and Thursdays from Nov. 12 to Dec. 17 at 11 a.m. The library asks patrons to register once for each session.
Pingree Grove story time is held at Cambridge Lakes Community Center, 1125 Wester Boulevard, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. the second Monday of every month. All ages are welcome, and no registration is required.
In addition to story times, the library has a number of events lined up for November.
To celebrate the release of the tenth “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” book, the library is holding a party at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3. There will be trivia, games, snacks and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” prizes. The party is for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Registration is required.
Adeena the Comfort Dog visits the library every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. for the Read to Rover program.
The film for family movie night at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, tells the tale of a military dog who is adopted by his late handler’s grieving family. The free showing of “Max” is rated PG. Free popcorn will be available.
Jane Austen, who wrote “Pride and Prejudice” and many other books, once lived in Hampshire County in the south of England. Historical impersonator Debra Ann Miller will come to Hampshire, Ill. to portray Austen at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Ella Johnson Library. Teens and adults are welcome to sign up for the free event.
For people who need help with Facebook, a session will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18. Participants are asked to bring their laptops or tablets.
The library is hosting AARP Smart Driver classes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Nov. 12 and 13. The classes will teach safe driving tips and may help attendees qualify for a discount on car insurance. The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for nonmembers. Registration is required. Attendees can pay at the event.
The free movie matinee at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 20, will present “October Sky.” No registration is needed, and there will be free popcorn.
The Monday Night Book Club will meet at 6 p.m. Nov. 16 to discuss “Everything I Never Told You” by Celeste Ng.
The genealogy clubs will meet Saturday, Nov. 21. “Tree Climbers” will meet at 10 a.m., and “Who Do You Think You Are” will meet at 11 a.m.
For information on library programs, call 847-683-4490 or email [email protected].
Denise Moran is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.