Music! Polar Exploration! Science!

Registration is underway for children, tweens, teens, and adult Summer Reading Programs at the Thomas Ford Library. To register in person, come to 800 Chestnut St., Western Springs throughout the summer. To register online, click fordlibrary.org

While on the Library’s website, check out the dazzling array of programs and events that comprise the Summer Reading Programs. The offerings for young readers will fall under the themes of “Every Hero Has a Story” and “One Heroic Summer;” those for adults are themed “Groundbreaking Reads: Ideas that Shook the World.” All age groups will read, earn prizes, and have a great time. Here are some of this week’s events:

Wednesday, June 24, 10:30-11:15 AM: Laura Doherty Concert: Heroes Big and Small Families welcome. Chicago-based Laura Doherty acoustically rocks your kids’ world with breezy folk-pop tunes from her Parent’s Choice award-winning CDs. This program explores all kinds of courageous heroes through song, including a few superheroes! Songs about astronauts, firefighters, athletes, and musical folk heroes feeling brave and helping others are included. Let’s not forget about the hero in each and every child! Thank you to the Western Springs Library Friends for sponsoring this event.

Wednesday, June 24, 7-8:30 PM: Polar Exploration with Keith Heger Cool off this summer by taking a journey to the inhospitable but magnificent North and South Poles with arctic explorer Keith Heger. Keith is an adventure guide and program director at The Northwest Passage, and was featured in the award-winning documentary Into the Cold.

Thursday, June 25, 6:30-7:30 PM: Heroes of Science Grades 3-5. Come learn about some superheroes whose only magic powers are their amazing curiosity, creativity, and imaginations. While none of them can leap tall buildings, see through walls, or turn invisible, they all changed the world in incredibly big ways and set the table for children around the world to build on their accomplishments. Local mathematician Jason Schwartz will teach these sessions that will feature a great scientist or inventor, include hands-on science experiments or learning activities, and point the students to books that help bring these great thinkers and their ideas to life.

June 25: Sir Isaac Newton, the laws of motion, and a chance to race your own rocket
July 9: Cecilia Payne, the secrets of the stars, and good times with a plasma globe
July 23: Neil Degrasse Tyson, the end of Pluto, and NASA’s New Horizon’s mission
August 6: Alhazen, rainbows, and a chance to make your own pinhole camera

Watch The Patch for more great events or visit fordlibrary.org