May

All of these events are in the Lewis Auditorium at The Urbana Free Library, 210 W. Green St., Urbana.

Negro League Baseball

Join Ernie Westfield for a look at the heroes of Negro League Baseball at this family program for all ages.

May 4 | Sunday | 2-3 pm

Elsenpeter Marionettes present Pinocchio

Come see our hero overcome his own selfishness, rescue his father, and become a real boy! For all ages.

May 18 | Sunday | 3:30-4:30 pm

April Events & Books

When God Looked the Other Way: Author Presentation and Book Signing

On September 1, 1939, Nazis fired the first shot against Polish troops and began World War II. Few people know that, at the same time, the Soviet Union issued an order to kill over 14,000 Polish Resistance fighters in the Katyn Forest, beginning the Soviet attack against Poland. Many Polish families were then deported to Siberia; few survived.

Come to The Urbana Free Library for an author presentation and book signing with Wesley Adamczyk, a Polish American whose family was deported to the Siberian camps. He recalls his experiences in his book When God Looked the Other Way: An Odyssey of War, Exile, and Redemption. He’ll be joined by UIC Assistant Professor of Polish Literature Alexander Kurczaba.

This event includes a pre-release screening of Children in Exile, the award-winning documentary based on the book (3pm), followed by a time for questions and a book signing (4pm).

“Adamczyk accounts the story of his own wartime childhood with exemplary precision and immense emotional sensitivity…” — From the foreword by Norman Davies, author of Europe: A History and Rising 44: The Battle for Warsaw

April 6 | Sunday | 2-4 pm

Other Heroes: Going Graphic @ The Urbana Free Library

We’re talking comics at the Urbana Free Library with Graphic Novelists John Jennings and Damian Duffy. They’ll be showing their own work and talking about how they do what they do. Bring your own comics, comments and questions. Open to teens and others interested in graphic novels.

John Jennings, a professor in the UI Graphic Design Department, and Damian Duffy have gained national attention for their collaborative work — creating comics, curating art exhibitions of comic art and researching issues in popular culture. Check out their online comics.

April 12 | Saturday | 1-3pm

The Immigrant Experience

Join Ayda Parra for a book discussion of Pam Munoz Ryan’s Esperanza Rising. Ryan wrote her historical novel based on her grandmothers experience as an immigrant to the United States. After a discussion of the book, participants will have an opportunity to share their own family stories through writing and art. No registration is required for this free program for school-age children and their families.

April 18 | Sunday | 2-4 pm

Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion Concert

Sarah Lee Guthrie, daughter of Arlo and granddaughter of Woody, will perform with her husband, Johnny Irion, in a free concert of folk/rock music. Their songs provide a contemporary take on the profound simplicity that distinguished the work of her legendary grandfather, with a sound that has been described as authentic, timeless, harmonious, and exhilarating.

April 28 | Monday | 7-8:30 pm

Dan Keding concert

Folksinger and storyteller Dan Keding will feature songs and stories about life in the 1930s during the Dust Bowl days.

April 30 | Wednesday | 6:30-7:15pm

March Events & Books

Brave Cinderellas with Betsy Hearne

Fairy tale lovers of all ages are invited to Brave Cinderellas. Betsy Hearne, storyteller and professor emerita from the U of I Graduate School of Library and Information Science, will explore versions of the Cinderella story from many cultures around the world. Come join us for a lively discussion with this master storyteller!

March 2 | Sunday | 2-3 pm

Once Upon a Time

Do you like to invent new endings to your favorite tales? School age children are invited to join storyteller, author, and dancer Patricia Hruby Powell for an interactive storytelling workshop. Participants will have the opportunity to create and dramatize a tale together.

March 20 | Thursday | 2-4 pm

Fairy Tale Ball

Come as your favorite fairy tale hero (or villain) for a costume contest judged by Queen Judy Fraser and enjoy Ginger Lozar’s Wolf Tales puppet show, the English Country Dancers with the Flatland Consort Band, CU Storytelling Guild, harpist Shirley Blankenship, caricaturist Dan Wild, magicians, jugglers, fairy tale trivia plus games, crafts and refreshments. All ages are welcome.

March 28 | Friday | 6-9 pm

February Events & Books

Listen to the Wisest of All

Authors Rita Blockman and Kimberly Morin interviewed local elderly residents for this 2007 book. Come hear the authors and a few of their interviewees. Then learn how to collect family memories in an intergenerational legacy workshop.

February 16 | Saturday | 1:30-3:30 pm

The Everlasting Stream

Walt Harrington, award-winning former journalist for the Washington Post Magazine, shares what he learned from his rural Kentucky father-in-law and his cronies. Adults are invited for an author presentation and book signing, plus a short clip from the PBS documentary.

February 24 | Sunday | 3-4:30 pm

Fire Prevention Rap & Puppet Show

The Urbana Fire and Rescue Service is our special guest at this week’s Family Funfare for preschoolers.

February 28 | Thursday | Groups: 9:45-10:15 am | Preschoolers & Parents 10:30-11 am

On the Wings of Heroes

World War II-era swing music and dancing, activities for children, and a book signing precede a book talk by author Richard Peck at 7:30 pm at this after-hours event. Peck’s 2007 book, On the Wings of Heroes, looks at the heroes of World War II, both on the front and at home, through the eyes of a Midwestern boy.

February 29 | Friday | 6-9 pm | Book talk: 7:30 pm