Sunday, April 14, 2013

Story Time

One of the great things about living in a big city is the crazy amount of free things to do with your kids. Below is a list of free story times throughout Chicago as shared by Red Tricycle.

Read All About It! Free Story Hours Every Weekday

Some days, you need a pinch hitter when being a parent gets too overwhelming. Scratch one more duty off your list; we found people who will take over story time — for free.
Every single weekday in Chicago, there’s a playful story hour to discover.
MondayNature-themed stories and hands-on activities get young explorers excited about the outdoors at Chicago Botanic Garden‘s weekly story time.
botanic
When the book closes, pick up an activity card at the Information Desk and take a walk through the garden and greenhouses. Tailored to ages 2-5, with caregiver. 1000 N. Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe, 847-835-5440. Held through May 20 at 10:00 am.
Tuesday
Earn points whenever you come to Pottery Barn Kids’ story hour. After you attend five, you get a coupon for $10 off a book. Reads like Pinkalicious by Victoria Kann are always a big hit with the preschool crowd. 2111 N. Clybourn Ave., 773-525-8349. 11:00 am.
Wednesday
Northsiders are known to make the trek to 57th Street Books, a cozy Hyde Park fave that holds story time in the back of the store. Little bookworms adore the booming voice of the yarn spinner who has a magical ability to speak louder than kids cry. You may hear gems like Karen Beumont’s Where’s My Truck or Roger Priddy’s B is for Bear. Since the bookstore is across from an elementary school, attendees tend to be tiny siblings of “graders.” 1301 E. 57th St., 773-684-1300. 10:30 am.
Lincoln Park Zoo’s look into books focuses on animals, naturally. But themes also include learning the alphabet, numbers and colors. After a few good cover-to-covers, kids get inspired to experience the real deal and check out the nearby animal exhibits.
zoo
The small barn where storytelling takes place fills up fast, so get there early. Main Barn, 2200 N. Cannon Dr., 312-742-2000. 9:15 am and 10:00 am (also held at those times on Fridays).
Thursday
After attending the gratis music show at Lincoln Park’s Whole Foods at 10:00 am, walk a few blocks over to The Land of Nod, where story time starts at 11:00 am. If your child liked listening to Oliver Jeffers’ The Incredible Book Eating Boy, you can buy it when the reading is over. 900 W. North Ave., 312-475-9903.
If you’re on the Southwest Side, register for free story time with Ms. Jenna at Roosevelt Library in University Village. She captures the attention of even the smallest readers (including babies) with songs, puppets and books.chicago-pub-lib-2Call for info on ongoing registration dates for these free sessions. 1101 W. Taylor St., 312-746-5656. 10:30 am.
FridayIf you haven’t heard Nili Yelin (aka: The Storybook Mom) yet, then push that stroller as fast as you can to The Book Cellar in Lincoln Square to meet one of the best storytellers this side of the Atlantic.
nili
Her voice morphs as different characters spring to life on the page, and interaction with the crowd is a given. Nili grabs books off the shelf, which means each week holds a new surprise. One of her favorites is Bedtime for Mommy by local scribe Amy Krouse Rosenthal.4736 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-293-2665. 11:00 am.

No comments:

Post a Comment