Sometimes it’s hard to remember that we’re standing on the outer surfaces of a tiny ball hurtling through space and time at about 67,000 miles per hour.

(Though I don’t know, sometimes during the chaotic school year shuffle, maybe it does feel like that a little. How can it be November?)

Lately, there have been so many awe-inspiring reminders of our tiny place in this vast universe. The solar eclipse last spring; rarely-seen Northern Lights in the Chicago area, not once, but twice this year; the comet; the mini-moon; plus all the beautiful “everyday” celestial sights. Wow.

And yet, dinner still needs to get on the table, and the laundry is piling up. I guess that’s something that we humans, and especially caregivers, have to deal with: the big picture and the little picture all at the same time.

Day-to-day life with a child can sometimes feel full of mundanity – and at the same time, all of those moments are helping to grow, guide, and shape a whole incredible human being.

It’s hard to hold both things at the same time.

We’re here for you.

This November, we have two programs that combine an everyday trip to the library with a chance to explore and dream big!

Moonwalking in the Milky Way

Tuesday, November 5 | 10:15-11:45 a.m. | 2:30-4 p.m.
Best for ages 4-11 with their families. | No registration needed.

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the activities:

• Use kid-friendly screwdrivers and screws to attach messages, pictures, or even control panels onto our “booster” rockets.
• Make your own mini lunar rover to take home – and decorate an astronaut to ride in it!
• Test your skills at our mini astronaut “training camp.”
• Work together to build a giant moon station (and explore it with your newly crafted lunar rover).
• Discover how stars have saved lives – then create your own constellations and star stories!
• A special space-themed scavenger hunt (of course!).

Make and Meet: Scribblebots with Jasmine Warga

Monday, November 18 | 5 p.m. | 6 p.m.
Best for ages 7-14. | Please register.

In this truly unique experience, kids will be able to both construct their own working “robot” that draws – and meet the award-winning author of A Rover’s Story, a tale of a brave robot’s adventures on Mars (and a perfect read-alike for The Wild Robot by Peter Brown). This program is sponsored by the Mount Prospect Public Library Foundation.

It’s an incredible opportunity.

A chance to tinker with cool materials, plus inspiring words and wisdom with a world-renowned author, all around the corner, for free, at your public library.

After all, that’s the purpose of the library: to provide information, experiences, and resources – so you can expand your horizons.

How far will you go?

We hope you shoot for the stars!