Winter Reading Adventure

Winter Reading Adventure 2023

How to participate

Log your activities on the Beanstack Tracker app. Download the app for easier access!

Pick up your prizes!

After you have logged your activity points into Beanstack or completed your log,  come into any of the 4 library locations to collect your prize!

Need help registering?

Special Programs and Events

Winter Reading Adventure Kick Off  
Friday, December 1 from 6-8 p.m.  
Santori Library - Atrium 
Sign up for our Winter Reading Adventure, meet and sing along with Anna & Elsa, take a photo in front of our greenscreen, decorate a luminaria bag, enjoy a snowball treat, and more! Activities and treats will be available while supplies last. 

Winter & Holiday Stories  
Tuesdays, December 5 & 12 at 10 a.m. 
West Branch - Meeting Room 
Warm up with winter and diverse holiday stories. For children of all ages and their caregivers. 
 
Winter Storytime  
Thursday, December 7 at 10 a.m.  
Thursday, December 14 at 10 a.m. 
Thursday, December 21 at 10 a.m. 
Santori Library—Hurrell Storytime Room  
Experience the magic of stories, songs, and more as we explore various aspects of the winter season. Ages 0-5. 
 
Holiday Wreath** 
Thursday, December 7 at 4 p.m.  
Eola Road Branch-Children's Program Room 
Let's make a wreath! Colors will be available for a Christmas wreath or a Kwanzaa wreath or use any colors to create your own special wreath. Ages 2-6 with caregiver.
 
Posada Celebration 
Saturday, December 9 at 1 p.m. 
West Branch – West Meeting Room  
Celebrate this traditional Mexican holiday at the library. We’ll enjoy stories, food and share a piñata! For children of all ages and their caregivers. 
 
Homeschool Huddle: Clay Creations   
Tuesday, December 12 at 2 PM 
Santori Library- Rm 125/126 
Create a holiday ornament with Air Dry Clay! All materials provided. Grade levels 1-5. Drop-in. 
 
Hanukkah Craft**  
Tuesday, December 12 at 4 p.m. 
Eola Road Branch-Children's Program Room 
Create a drinking straw dreidel. We will be using hot glue guns. Ages 7 and up. 
 
Winter Gnome Craft  
Wednesday, December 13 at 4 p.m. 
West Branch – Meeting Room 
With cardboard tubes, yarn, and paper we will create some fun winter friends. Ages 6-11. 
 
Snowman Name Craft**  
Thursday, December 14 at 6 p.m. 
Eola Road Branch – Children’s Program Room 
Don't want to get cold making a snowman outside? Join us to make a snowman craft that spells your own name! For ages 5+, a caregiver is required for children younger than 7 years old. 
 
Pretend & Play*  
Friday, December 15 at 11 a.m. 
Santori Library—Hurrell Storytime Room  
This month we will explore, play, and work at the North Pole! Books, crafts, and activities included. Ages 2-5. Registration required.
 
Ice Fairy Storytime  
Friday, December 15 at 10:30 a.m. 
Eola Road Branch – Large Meeting Room 
The Ice Fairy will visit our library for this magical winter storytime! We'll read stories, sing songs, and stay to take photos with the Ice Fairy. For all ages. 
 
Ugly Sweater Cookie Decorating Contest**
Saturday December 16 at 2 p.m. 
Santori Library – Hurrell Storytime Room 
Wear your ugly sweater and decorate an ugly sweater cookie. Vote for the ugliest cookie! All materials provided. Ages 6-11. 
 
Cartas de parte de Los Reyes Magos! 
Monday, December 18 all day  
Santori Branch- none 
¡Los Reyes Magos quieren mandar cartas a sus pequeños en casa! Registre a su hijo/hija para recibir una carta personalizada de parte de los Reyes Magos por correo. Haga un registro por niño/niña. 
 
Salt Painting for Littles** 
Tuesday, December 19 at 10 a.m. 
Eola Road Branch – Children's Program Room 
Toddlers and preschoolers, bring your grown up and paint a winter scene using salt and paints. For kids ages 2-5 with a caregiver. 
 
Watercolor Salt Painting ** 
Tuesday, December 19 at 1:30 p.m. 
Eola Road Branch-Children's Program Room 
Paint a winter scene using salt and paints. Ages 6-11. 

Iron Snackers** 
Tuesday, December 19 at 7 p.m. 
Santori Library – Hurrell Storytime Room 
Master the art of snacking! We will make a fun, sweet or salty snack each month. In December, we will decorate wild gingerbread people. Ages 6-11. Ticketed Program. 
 
Winter Watercolor Painting**  
Wednesday, December 20 at 6 p.m. 
Eola Road Branch – Children’s Program Room 
Let's keep warm indoors and have some fun making our own watercolor painting! Keep it or give it to someone you love this holiday season! For ages 4+, a caregiver is required for kids younger than 7 years old.

Homeschool Huddle Award Winning Book Club- The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (1950)  
Thursday, December 21 at 2p.m. 
Santori Library- Hurrell Storytime Room 
Discover enduring classics, discuss with other readers and engage in fun comprehension activities. Pick up your own copy of the book at the KCC desk starting November 17, 2023. 

Winter Bingo  
Thursday, December 28 & Tuesday, January 2 at 11 a.m. 
Santori Library – Hurrell Storytime Room 
Play just 1 game or stay for an hour. Take a free book for every game you win. All families with children welcome. 
 
Paper Plate New Years Eve Noisemaker 
Thursday, December 28 from 1-3 p.m. 
Eola Road Branch – Children’s Program Room 
Want to make a craft to help celebrate the new year? Drop in from 1-3 p.m. to make your own paper plate noisemaker for New Years Eve!      
 
Noon Year’s Party  
Saturday, December 30 at 11:30 a.m. 
Santori Library – 125/126 
It's almost 2024! Countdown to "Noon Year's" with stories and balloon drop. Ages 0-5 with a caregiver. 
 
Snow Painting 
Wednesday, January 3 at 1 p.m. 
West Branch - Meeting Room 
Paint with snow without getting cold! For ages 4+. A caregiver is required for kids younger than 7 years old. 
 
Mr. Freeze: A Very Cool Show  
Wednesday, January 3 at 2 p.m. 
Santori Library – 125/126 
A very cool show with lots of surprises, loud noises and some fun facts about the extreme cold. Tickets will be available at the Children's Reference desk 30 minutes prior to the event.   
 
Snowperson Craft** 
Thursday, January 4 at 3:30 p.m. 
Eola Road Branch – Small Meeting Room 
What can you do with a hot glue gun, a Styrofoam ball and felt? Create a snowperson of course! Ages 10-13.  
 
¡Celebración del Día de los Reyes Magos! - Three Wise Men Celebration!  
Thursday, January 4 6-8 p.m. 
Santori- Atrium 
¡Ven a celebrar el día de los Reyes Magos con nosotros! Come and celebrate Three Wise Men Day with us!   
 
Friday Afternoon Movie: Frozen 2  
Friday, January 5 at 2 p.m. 
Eola Road Branch – Large Meeting Room 
Want a change of scenery? Come to the library this afternoon for a fun family movie! Bring your own packaged snacks & covered drinks. Movie: Frozen 2 (Rated PG, 2019). 
 
Winter Sensory Playtime 
Sunday, January 7 from 2-3 p.m. 
Santori Library—Storytime room 
We'll have "snow" much fun sharing a range of winter themed activities. Dress for mess!  Ages 3-6 with an adult. 
 

For Teens:

First Friday: Winter Reading Adventure Kick-Off 
Friday, December 1 from 6 – 8 p.m. 
Santori Library – Atrium 
Sign up for our Winter Reading Adventure, meet and sing along with Anna and Elsa, take a photo in front of our greenscreen, decorate a luminaria bag, enjoy a snowball treat, and more!    
 
Service Saturdays for Teens: No-Sew Fleece Blankets 
Saturday, December 2 at 1 p.m. 
West Branch, Meeting Room 
Make some cozy fleece blankets- without sewing! Blankets will be donated to Project Linus for children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need.   
 
Service Saturdays for Teens: No-Sew Fleece Blankets 
Saturday, December 9 at 3 p.m. 
Eola Road Branch - 166 
Make some cozy fleece blankets- without sewing! Blankets will be donated to Project Linus for children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need.   

Flavor Detectives: Candy Canes 
Wednesday, December 13 at 7 p.m. 
Eola Road Branch – 166 
Join us for an adventure in snacking! We'll be sampling different flavors of candy canes and voting on the best one. Allergen info will be posted. Drop-ins welcome, grades 6 - 12.   
 
DIY Touch Screen Gloves 
Monday, December 18 at 7 p.m. 
Santori Library – 224 
Cold weather making it hard to use a touch screen? Come make your own touch screen gloves! This fun and practical project involves some sewing, and all experience levels are welcome. 
 
Cocoa & Cram 
Tuesday, December 19 from 4 – 8 p.m. 
Eola Road Branch – 166 
For brave adventurers fighting their way through exams week, let this be an oasis where you can enjoy hot cocoa while you study! Grades 6 - 12.  

  
Flavor Detectives: Popcorn 
Tuesday, December 19 at 4 p.m. 
West Branch – Living Room 
Join us for an adventure in snacking! We'll be sampling different flavors of popcorn and voting on the best one. Allergen info will be posted. Drop-ins welcome, grades 6 - 12. 

  
Flavor Detectives: Hot Chocolate 
Friday, December 29 from 2 – 4 p.m. 
Santori Library - 224 
Join us for an adventure in snacking! We'll be sampling different flavors of hot chocolate and voting on the best one. Allergen info will be posted. Drop-ins welcome, grades 6 - 12.   

Snowperson Craft** 
Thursday, January 4 at 3:30 p.m. 
Eola Road Branch – 108 
What can you do with a hot glue gun, a styrofoam ball and felt? Create a snow person, of course! Ages 10-13. Ticketed program.  
 
DIY Vision Boards 
Thursday, January 4 at 4 p.m. 
Santori Library – 224 
A new year may bring new year's resolutions, which can be hard to keep. Join us to make your own vision board to help you keep track of your goals and stay motivated!   

Service Saturday for Teens: Seed Swap Prep 
Saturday, January 6 at 11:30 a.m. 
West Branch – Meeting Room 
Come help us prep for the Library's upcoming Seed Swap! We will be sorting, labeling, and compiling vegetable and flower seeds. No experience is required, and volunteer credit is available.    
 
Service Saturday for Teens: Seed Swap Prep 
Saturday, January 6 at 11:30 a.m. 
Eola Road Branch - 166 
Come help us prep for the Library's upcoming Seed Swap! We will be sorting, labeling, and compiling vegetable and flower seeds. No experience is required, and volunteer credit is available.   

Civil Rights Game Night 
Monday, January 15 at 6 p.m. 
Santori Library – 224 
What do Civio, Rise Up, and Freedom: The Underground Railroad all have in common? They're all new tabletop games in our Teen Space about civil rights! Grades 6 - 12.    

DIY Touch Screen Gloves 
Wednesday, January 17 at 7 p.m. 
Eola Road Branch - 166 
Cold weather making it hard to use a touch screen? Come make your own touch screen gloves! This fun and practical project involves some sewing, and all experience levels are welcome. 

Service Saturday for Teens: Seed Swap Prep 
Saturday, January 20 at 3 p.m. 
Santori Library - 224 
Come help us prep for the Library's upcoming Seed Swap! We will be sorting, labeling, and compiling vegetable and flower seeds. No experience is required, and volunteer credit is available.   

Civil Rights Trivia Night 
Monday, January 29 at 6 p.m. 
Santori Library – 224 
Test your knowledge of the civil rights movement and Martin Luther King Jr. at our Trivia Night! There will be snacks and a prize for the player with the most points. Grades 6 - 12.    

For Adults:

First Friday: Winter Reading Adventure Kick-Off 
Friday, December 1 from 6 – 8 p.m. 
Santori Library – Atrium 
Sign up for our Winter Reading Adventure, meet and sing along with Anna and Elsa, take a photo in front of our greenscreen, decorate a luminaria bag, enjoy a snowball treat, and more!    
 
Winter Spruce Tree Cone Craft* 
Saturday, December 2 at 2 p.m. 
Eola Road Branch – 166 
Make your own spruce tree for winter decoration! We'll turn simple craft cones and yarn into a cute table topper.  

Gift Wrapping Techniques* 
Tuesday, December 5 at 3 p.m. 
Santori Library – Makerspace 
Learn how to expertly wrap a gift! Boxes, wrapping paper, and ribbon will be provided for demonstration and practice, and you may bring a small gift of your own to wrap.    
 
Holiday Celebrations in Many Lands: Decorating Party* 
Tuesday, December 5 at 4 p.m. 
Santori Library – Atrium 
In its 48th year, this Library exhibit celebrates representations of holiday celebrations from around the world- from Mexico to Australia to Kwanzaa and the Winter Solstice and more!   

 
Surviving the Holidays with Lori Gottlieb* 
Wednesday, December 6 at 7 p.m. 
Virtual via Zoom 
Lori Gottlieb, New York Times bestselling author and podcast co-host joins us for a thought-provoking conversation about mental health in anticipation of the winter holiday season. This program is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present.  
 
Lotus Lantern Craft* 
Thursday, December 7 at 6 p.m. 
Eola Road Branch – 166 
Create a beautiful lotus lantern and learn more about Korean culture with Shin Younhee from the Korean Spirit and Culture Promotion Project.    

Coffee & Canvas* 
Saturday, December 9 at 10 a.m. 
Eola Road Branch – 166 
Enjoy a cup of coffee and a painting class with local artist Jen Hunger! We'll be creating Santa-hat-themed works of art, and all materials will be provided.   

Winter Cross Stitch* 
Tuesday, December 12 at 3 p.m. 
Santori Library – Makerspace 
This cross-stitching class is for beginners- If you are new to needlework, join us to learn some basic techniques and take home your own winter-themed project!   
 
Holiday Potluck Dishes with Chef Susan Maddox* 
Tuesday, December 12 at 7 p.m. 
West Branch – Meeting Room 
Chef Susan Maddox will make Turkey Tetrazzini, Creamed Corn with Red Peppers and Spinach, and Crock Pot Apple and Cranberry Cobbler. You'll get to sample all three dishes!    

Unique Aurora Ornaments* 
Wednesday, December 13 at 6 p.m. 
Santori Library – 224 
Create your own ornaments using historic photographs or newspaper clippings, or showcase your family history and bring and use your own photo. Tours of our Community History Center included.    

The Nutcracker Performed by the Royal Ballet* 
Saturday, December 16 All Day 
Virtual via YouTube 
Experience a virtual performance of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker with sumptuous period designs and spellbinding stage effects performed by the United Kingdom’s internationally renowned Royal Ballet. 

Making Miniatures: Gingerbread House* 
Saturday, December 16 at 1 p.m. 
Eola Road Branch – 166 
Everyday items made miniature! We'll make a teeny gingerbread house for your dollhouse or just for decoration with long-time miniatures maker and enthusiast Jo Cohrs.  

The Nutcracker Performed by the Royal Ballet* 
Sunday, December 17 All Day 
Virtual via YouTube 
Experience a virtual performance of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker with sumptuous period designs and spellbinding stage effects performed by the United Kingdom’s internationally renowned Royal Ballet. 

DIY Festive Nails* 
Tuesday, December 19 at 3 p.m. 
Santori Library – Makerspace 
Looking for some extra sparkle? Choose from a variety of colors and make your own festive nails! For the best results, participants should arrive with unpolished, clean nails.   
 
Painting Sleighs for the Holidays* 
Thursday, December 21 at 5 p.m. 
Santori Library – Makerspace 
Using acrylic paint and yarn, participants will decorate their own miniature, wooden sleigh just in time for the holidays!   

Building Popsicle-Stick Cabins* 
Thursday, January 11 at 3 p.m. 
Santori Library – Makerspace 
Create your own miniature log cabin that is perfect for display or play. We'll be using popsicle-sticks, paper, and hot glue.   
 
Service Saturday for Adults: Homemade Hand Warmers 
Saturday, January 13 at 1 p.m. 
Eola Road Branch – 166 
Want to give back to our community? We'll be creating DIY hand warmers to help keep our neighbors warm this winter.    

Laser-Engraved Winter Coasters* 
Thursday, January 25 at 3 p.m. 
Santori Library – Makerspace 
Learn how to transform plain, cork coasters into winter-themed works of art using our laser engraver.   

Seed Swap 
Saturday, January 27 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. 
All Library Locations 
What is a Seed Swap? It's like a potluck, but with seeds - great for both avid and aspiring gardeners. Bring seeds to share if you have them, and go home with new seeds to try. Master gardeners will be available to answer questions 
 

Programas en español:

Lámpara silueta* 
domingo, 3 de diciembre |  2 p.m. 
Biblioteca Santori – 224 
¿Buscas alegrarte esta temporada de invierno? ¡Únate a nosotros para crear una hermosa lámpara de silueta!   
  
Naranjas Aromáticas* 
lunes, 18 de diciembre | 6 p.m. 
Sucursal West  
Ven a compartir tu espíritu navideño y acompáñanos a crear unas naranjas aromáticas.   

¡Celebración del Día de los Reyes Magos!* 
jueves, 4 de enero | 6 – 8 p.m. 
Biblioteca Santori – Atrio 
¡Celebremos el Día de los Reyes Magos con un pedazo de rosca de Reyes de diferentes panaderías de Aurora! ¡Tendremos una manualidad, una visita sorpresa de los Reyes Magos y hasta podrás escribir tu carta aquí mismo! Registro requerido, registre a cada persona en su familia. 

Mapa de Sueños* 
miércoles, 10 de enero | 7 p.m. 
Sucursal West 
Estás listo/a para cumplir tus propósitos de Año Nuevo? Ven a construir tu propio “Mapa de Sueños” y asi poder visualizar y recordar tus ideas, sueños y metas para 2024!   
 
Intercambio de semillas 
sábado, 27 de enero | 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. 
Todas las sucursales APLD
¿Qué es un intercambio de semillas? Es como una comida compartida, pero con semillas, excelente tanto para los jardineros ávidos como para los aspirantes. ¡Traiga semillas para compartir con otros y lleve a casa nuevas semillas para probar! Los maestros jardineros estarán aquí para responder sus preguntas.