Summer Reading Challenge / June 15-August 9 

Anti-Racism Resources for Parents 

Find books, websites, videos and more on speaking with children about race on the library’s Anti-Racism Resources page. Our Resources for Parents section includes a Black Lives Matter Instructional Library with anti-racism books for kids read aloud, a social story about George Floyd, and a 20-minute podcast on talking about race with young children.  

Early Childhood 

Shake it on down during Baby Time with Miss Rebecca! 

Join Miss Christina for some Toddler Time fun. 

Wonder Time: Bugs - Children are naturally curious about the world.  Bring your budding scientist to Wonder Time, a STEM story time where we will read, ask questions and engage in hands-on learning.  Please register. Saturday, June 20, 1:30-2 p.m. 

Kids 

Countdown to Kindergarten Week 2: Math & Music: 5,4,3,2,1...Kindergarten! This four-week series of fun educational stories, songs and activities specially designed to help parents and kids get ready to attend Kindergarten this fall. This second session covers Math and Music.

Embrace Race Read Aloud with Miss Rebecca: Stories and songs for little ones to help families cope with recent events.

Let’s practice speaking English and learn through stories, songs, and rhymes with Miss Becky at English Learners Family Storytime.

A Kid’s Book About Racism, read by author Jelani Memory. 

Friday, June 19 is Juneteenth! Learn about this important holiday with this wakelet.

Tweens 

Tween Tuesdays: Game On! Hang out with other tweens and play different games together like Pictionary, charades, MadLibs and more. Please register. Tuesday, June 16, 4-5 p.m. 

Explore our new book and eBook lists that have information and stories on anti-racism and justice for tweens. 

Looking for something to do this summer? Visit our Tween Tuesdays page to access past projects and instructions. 

Friday, June 19 is Juneteenth! Learn about this important holiday with this wakelet. 

Teens 

Teen Advisory Board: TAB will be meeting on Sunday! Find more info on this high school volunteer group at ahml.info/teens/volunteer. Sunday, June 21, 1-2:30 p.m. 

Explore our new book and eBook lists that have information and stories on anti-racism and justice for teens. 

Early Childhood 

Shake it on down with Miss Amy during this week’s Baby Time! 

Get ready to STOMP like a dinosaur in this week’s Toddler Time with Miss Rebecca. 

Kids 

Countdown to Kindergarten: 5,4,3,2,1...Kindergarten! Join us for this four-week series of fun educational stories, songs and activities designed to help parents and kids get ready to attend Kindergarten this fall. This first session covers talking and listening.

Boredom Busters: Gardening Fun: Create different types of mini gardens with Miss Amy. 

Knuckleball Comedy Improv: Join us for a fun mix of interactive improv games along with performances by two professional improvisers working together and asking the audience to interact with them virtually. Kids will be laughing, acting and wanting more! Please register to receive the link to join the fun! Saturday, June 13, 10-11 a.m.  

Miss Amy welcomes everyone to this week’s Family Time with a fun, interactive dragon story and songs. 

Looking for free fun? Check out this early learning calendar full of things to try at home. 

Are you looking for ways to talk with your children who might be feeling anxious or confused about some of the turmoil in our world? We've compiled a list of children's eBooks and eAudiobooks about diversity, acceptance & friendship that may help.

Tween  

Transform a T-shirt into something new on Tuesday, June 9, 4 p.m. We will make a headband and a macrame plant hanger. This program is taking place on Zoom so be sure to register. 

Looking for more craft projects to try? Check out our new Tween DIY at Home series starting Friday, June 12. Miss Dana will show you how to make origami stars and an origami paper cup.  

Explore our new book and eBook lists that have information and stories on anti-racism and justice for tweens. 

Teens 

Teens Tinker: DIY Spa Night: Relax and prepare for a DIY spa night by making banana-honey face masks, coffee-sugar scrubs and fruit-infused spa water. Please register to receive the link to join and a list of supplies. Wednesday, June 10, 4-5:30 p.m. 

Teen Game Night: Ready your fighters! Join fellow teen gamers for a night of virtual Superfight. No prior experience necessary. Please register to receive the link to join. Friday, June 12, 7-8:30 p.m. 

Explore our new book and eBook lists that have information and stories on anti-racism and justice for teens. 

Early Childhood 

We’re bringing the library to you with Baby Time with Miss Maria. Enjoy songs, stories and rhymes from your home. 

Let’s get ready to learn and play together during Toddler Time with Miss Maria. 

Kids 

Help Miss Rebecca count those silly monkeys in this week’s Family Time. 

Kids can practice their English-speaking skills with songs and stories during English Learners Family Storytime with Miss Becky. 

Did you know AHML has online help for kids learning another language? Check out our online databases here!  

Come prepared to be amazed during the Amazing Animal Magic Show with Jaime Aponte on Saturday, June 6, 10:30-11:15 a.m. 

Tweens 

Read the first chapters of The Ickabog, a just-released fairy tale written by J.K. Rowling. Enter the illustration competition for a chance to have your illustrations published in The Ickabog book when it is published in November. 

Teens 

Turn scraps of paper from around your house into wearable art! Learn how to make a folded paper bracelet and paper beads at this week’s Teens Tinker: Wearable Paper on Wednesday, June 3, 4-5 p.m. 

Get your creative juices flowing and write with other teens at Inklings on Thursday, June 4, 4-6 p.m. We’ll talk about storyboarding and scripting for films and brainstorm story ideas for filmmakers submitting to this year's Teen Film Fest.   

Early Childhood 

Enjoy peek-a-boo fun in Baby Time with Miss Maria. 

Friends can clap, wave and sing hello in Toddler Time with Miss Maria. 

Hola amigo! Enjoy a bilingual, sing-a-long family concert with 123 Andrés. Andrés and Christina are a Latin Grammy-winning music duo whose catchy songs and lively concert will get the whole family dancing and learning in Spanish and English.  

Kids 

Guess who flutters into this week’s Family Time with Miss Rebecca and Dewey. 

We're going to practice English skills together through stories, songs and rhymes in English Learners Family Storytime with Miss Becky. 

DIY Storytime: May Flowers: Explore a fun list of stories, songs and more, compiled for you by Miss Kim! 

Reading is Fundamental now has a Virus & Germs pages with lots of helpful resources for caregivers to share with kids. 

Tweens 

Join our first online Book Club! Read or listen to award-winning graphic novel, New Kid by Jerry Craft and then join us for games, discussion and more on Tuesday, May 26, 3-4 p.m. 

Take your indoor fort building to the next level with these instructions from Ikea. Whether you try the castle, the cave, the camping tent, the fortress, or the house, they all make perfect spots for curling up with a good book. 

Teens 

Start a new campaign or continue a well-known journey at Dice Guild: Free Play on Tuesday, May 26, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Join teen Game Masters as they guide you through the story. Experienced and first-time gamers welcome. 

Cook some treats that pack a whole lot of deliciousness into a mug. Learn how to make three mug treats using a few ingredients and a microwave at Teens Tinker: Mug Cooking on Wednesday, May 27, 4-5 p.m. 

Early Childhood 

Missing your regular visits to storytime? Don't worry - we're bringing the library to you with Baby Time with Miss Maria. 

We're going to sing and read stories and rhymes during Toddler Time with Miss Maria. Let's get ready to learn and play together! 

Looking for a few simple recipes to try at home with your little one? This children’s museum has a few you might like! 

Kids 

Enjoy stories and songs about things that GO! in this week’s Family Time with Miss Rebecca! 

Looking to develop new cooking skills? Check out these fun resources - some of them are free and can guide you and your kids in the kitchen. 

Working on your English-speaking skills? All are invited to English Learners Family Storytime with Miss Becky!

Let’s Learn: International Museum Day: We’ve compiled a list resources for you to visit around the country, without leaving your home. 

Tweens 

Meet us in the kitchen on Tuesday, May 19, 3-3:15 p.m. for Tween Tuesdays: Mug Meals. We will be making mac and cheese and pizza (in a mug!). 

Looking for a magical distraction from the real world? Listen to Daniel Radcliffe read the first chapter of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. 

Don’t forget to register for our upcoming online Book Club! Read New Kid by Jerry Craft and then join us for games, discussion and more on Tuesday, May 26, 3-3:45 p.m. 

Teens 

Talk about the latest books you've read with other teens at Teen BYOBook Club on Wednesday, May 20, 4-5 p.m. Your challenge: Read an eBook or listen to an eAudiobook. Get recommendations for your next great read and maybe win a bookish prize. 

Come visit our Animal Crossing island for a meet-up! Join us and other teens for a runway fashion show, an item swap and more. Friday, May 22, 7-8:30 p.m.  

Early Childhood 

We’ve got songs, stories and rhymes for you to enjoy during Baby Time with Miss Maria. 

Join Miss Maria in her home for Toddler Time where we’ll learn and play together. 

Kids 

Miss Rebecca welcomes families to join her for Family Time - bring your toys and pets and get ready for fun. 

Practice English skills with Miss Becky during English Learners Family Storytime.

Join us live on YouTube for a Bedtime Story with Miss Rebecca on Friday, May 15, 7 p.m. 

Getting Excited About Science virtual show and workshop includes some larger experiments that have taken this show to 14 states. You will see some of the most popular stage experiments including human gyroscope, hovercraft, liquid nitrogen and more. After the show we will teach many experiments you can do at home. Join us on Saturday, May 16, 10-11 a.m. and enjoy the fun! Recommended for grades 2-3. 

Check out this list of children’s museums across the country that are now offering virtual content. Many offer new programs every day! 

Tweens 

Connect with your fellow tween comic enthusiasts to work on original narratives during Tween Tuesdays: Comic Creation on Tuesday, May 12, 5 p.m. Start or continue creating your own pages with inspirational templates, or from scratch, while imagining alongside your peers. Register here. 

Start reading or listening to New Kid by Jerry Craft and register now for our first ever virtual book club for tweens on Tuesday, May 26, 3-3:45 p.m. 

Grab your headphones and listen to The Story Seeds Podcast, where tweens and authors collaborate and grow original stories together. Visit the Tween Recommended page for more podcast recommendations. 

Teens 

Start a new campaign or continue a well-known journey at Dice Guild: Free Play on Tuesday, May 12, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Join teen Game Masters as they guide you through the story. Experienced and first-time gamers welcome! 

Use what you find outdoors to craft fun, nature-themed items at Teens Tinker: Crafting with Nature on Wednesday, May 13, 4-5:30 p.m. 

Test your creative thinking skills against other teens at Teen Game Night: Scattergories on Friday, May 15, 7-8 p.m.  

The Teen Advisory Board will be meeting on Sunday, May 17, 1-2:30 p.m. 

Talk about the latest books you've read with other teens at Teen BYOBook Club on Wednesday, May 20, 4-5 p.m. Your challenge: Read an eBook or listen to an eAudiobook. Get recommendations for your next read and maybe win a bookish prize. 

Early Childhood 

Sing, clap and enjoy stories with Miss Maria during Baby Time. 

Learn and play together during Toddler Time with Miss Maria. 

Daily Fun with Your Little One: Enjoy a month’s worth of early learning activities for you and your little one. 

Kids  

Read books, sing songs and spend time together as a family during Family Time with Miss Rebecca. 

Join Miss Becky and practice English skills during English Learners Storytime. 

Homeschool Hangout: Attention homeschool families! We’re hosting a virtual get together on Thursday, May 7, 1:30-2:45 p.m. 

DIY Storytime: Let’s Celebrate Moms! Stories, songs and easy crafts compiled for you by AHML staff. 

Tween 

Make paper flowers you can give your mom for Mother’s Day at this week’s Tween Tuesday: Fold a Flower. 

Start reading or listening to New Kid by Jerry Craft and register now for our first ever virtual book club for tweens on Tuesday, May 26, 3-3:45 p.m. 

Learn about lunar impacts from asteroids and comets using water balloons in this video. 

Try some of these mindfulness activities that can help manage anxiety. 

Teens 

Want to send some joy and smiles to family and friends? Learn how to make some extreme(ly fun) greeting cards in this week’s Teens Tinker: Extreme Card Making on Wednesday, May 6, 4-5 p.m. 

Get your creative juices flowing and write with other teens! Try your hand at journaling and create a zine to document your unique experiences at Inklings on Thursday, May 7, 4-6 p.m. 

Talk about the latest books you've read with other teens at Teen BYOBook Club on Wednesday, May 20, 4-5 p.m. Your challenge: Read an eBook or listen to an eAudiobook. Get recommendations for your next great read and maybe win a bookish prize. (If you want even more reading suggestions, fill out a BookMe form!) 

Below you will find a variety of resources for you to explore this week: storytimes on the library's YouTube channel, live online Tween and Teen programs, craft ideas, learning resources and more. 

Early Childhood 

Join us for Baby Time as we sing, clap and enjoy stories with Miss Maria. 

Get ready to learn and play together with Miss Maria during Toddler Time. 

AHML Presents: Miss Jamie's Road Trip: Sing along with Miss Jamie as she travels all through the town, then down on the farm, in this special musical and educational show brought to you by the Arlington Heights Memorial Library and singer/performer Miss Jamie from the Farm. This musical will only be available on YouTube for this week.

Kids 

See what the Naughty Little Monkeys are up to in this 

Family Storytime with Miss Rebecca!

Wrap up your week with a live Bedtime Story with Miss Rebecca on Friday, May 1 at 7 p.m. 

Tweens 

Register for this week’s Tween Tuesdays: Creative Writing Workshop. We will play group games to get your creative juices flowing, explore different types of poetry (concrete! haiku! blackout!) and then write a poem or two to share with the group. Tuesday, April 28, 3-4 p.m. 

Take a virtual lesson in art, science, social studies and language arts from bestselling and award-winning authors! Find more information about MacKids Streaming Schoolhouse and register here. 

Learn a magic trick or two from the New Victory Arts Break team. 

Teens 

Start a new campaign or continue a well-known journey at Dice Guild: Free Play on Tuesday, April 28, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Join teen Game Masters as they guide you through the story. Experienced and first-time gamers welcome. 

Create your own mini journal or sketchbook at Teens Tinker: Book Binding on Wednesday, April 29, 4-5 p.m. Fill the pages with whatever inspires you or document your experiences in style. 

See how well you can give and guess clues at Teen Game Night: Codenames on Friday, May 1, 7-8 p.m. Don’t tip off the other team of teen spies or alert the assassin. 

Studying for AP Exams? Find out how your library card can connect you to online tutors, eBooks for test prep, virtual practice tests and more on our AP Resources page. Contact the Hub’s staff at teens@ahml.info if you have any questions. 

Below you will find a variety of resources for you to explore this week: storytimes on the library's YouTube channel, live online Tween and Teen programs, craft ideas, learning resources and more. 

Early Childhood 

Baby Time is always a fun time with Miss Maria. 

Toddlers can clap and sing hello with Miss Maria in Toddler Time. 

Kids 

Time to get the wheels on your truck turning ‘round and round’ with Miss Rebecca in Family Time.

We’ve launched a new year-round reading program for grades K-3 called Read 500! Get started on ahml.beanstack.org. Click here for more information about all our reading programs for ages 0 through grade 8 and check out this video to get you started.

Rock ‘n roll for the whole family, every Friday, with singer-songwriter Ralph Covert! 

Join us for Desserts, Books and More on Monday, April 20 at 5:30 p.m. We’ll discuss the book A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold and then complete a craft activity. More details here.  

Enjoy a bedtime story and soothing lullabies with Miss Rebecca on Friday, April 24 at 7 p.m.  

Tweens 

Tween Tuesdays: Snack Attack! Tuesday, April 21 at 3 p.m. Tweens can get creative in the kitchen as we make peanut butter apple wraps and rainbow veggie pinwheels. This event will be streamed live on YouTube. 

Celebrate Earth Day by making Earth Day Cake Pops! 

For a hands-on science project, try making your own water filter. 

Teens 

Level up! Learn to be Game Master while you play RPGs at Dice Guild: How to GM on Tuesday, April 21 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. 

Gather ingredients from your kitchen to compete in a virtual sandwich cook-off against other teens at the Teens Tinker: Kitchen Scavenger Hunt on Wednesday, April 22 from 4-5:30 p.m. 

Play Animal Crossing? Come to our island and play games, swap items and explore with other teens at the Animal Crossing Island Meet-Up on Friday, April 24 from 7-8:30 p.m. 

Below you will find a variety of resources for you to explore this week: storytimes on the library's YouTube channel, live online Tween and Teen programs, craft ideas, learning resources and more. 

Early Childhood 

Babies can shake and clap in our fun Baby Time! Get ready to clap and sing hello with Miss Maria and her ukulele in Toddler Time. Fun activities and play ideas to support early learning for infants and toddlers at home.

Kids

Missing out on some birthday celebrations recently? Then you’ll love Happy Birthday Family Time with Miss Rebecca!

Say goodbye to boredom! Kids in grades K-3 and their families, join us Saturday, April 18 at 10:30 a.m. for Boredom Busters. We’ll be doing three activities using supplies you probably already have at home. Please register for the supply list and the YouTube link to join in.  

Coronavirus, A Book for Children  A free educational book to help kids age 5-9 years old understand what is happening in the world around them.

Our solar system is awesome! Learn more with this collection of stories, videos and crafts. 

A month’s worth of early learning to help keep everyone busy. How many can you check off?  

Wrap up your week with a soothing bedtime story with Miss Rebecca, live on YouTube, April 17 at 7 p.m.  

Tweens  

Peeps Science - Explore molecular diffusion, solubility and air resistance using Peeps. Then make some edible Peeps slime. This event will be streamed on YouTube on Tuesday, April 14, at 3 p.m. 

Check out Hour of Code to try a variety of coding projects and games.

Can’t get enough of our Tween Tuesdays cooking projects? Delish offers live cooking classes weekdays at noon on Instagram. Get more information and links to past recipes here. 

While you are honing your foodie skills, explore our A-Z World Food database. Try a new recipe from a different culture or country. 

Teens  

Meet up with other teens for an epic game of Dungeons and Dragons on Tuesday, April 14 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. with Dice Guild. Register here to receive an invitation to join online.

Young adult author Zoraida Córdova drops in to chat with teens about her book, Labyrinth Lost on Wednesday, April 15 from 4-5 p.m. Read the eBook on hoopla and register for the program to join in on this exclusive chat.

Put your drawing skills to the test while playing Pictionary with other teens at Teen Game Night on Friday, April 17 from 7-8 p.m. Register to play with us. 

The Teen Advisory Board will be meeting on Sunday, April 19 from 1-2:30 p.m.

Follow the Hub on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @hub500 for more fun and library updates for teens.