Registration for Dream Big—READ! begins on Monday, June 4 and the program continues through Saturday, July 28.   For more information, call the library at 515-283-4152 or visit our website, www.dmpl.org.   All programs are free of charge.

Cool Craft Activities for Kids.
Saturday, June 23, 11:00 AM, Central Library:  Stop by during the Art Festival to create your own art.
Saturday, June 30, 11:00 AM, Central Library:  Make an exploding book for July 4.
Saturday, June 30, 1:00 PM, Franklin Avenue Library:  Make your very own wise old owl.
Thursday, July 12, 2:30 PM, Central Library:  Dream Big creations with artist Concetta Morales.
 Monday, June 11 – Thursday, June 14, East Side Library:  Make ‘N Take Father’s Day Craft.

Calling All Dreamers! 
This summer, round up the kids and head to any of the six locations of the Des Moines Public Library to explore the night.   Beginning June 4, kids can sign up to “Dream Big—READ!”  as part of the library’s summer reading program.  In addition to earning great incentives for reaching their reading goals, children can also attend the many free programs. Enjoy the zany experiments presented by the educational entertainers at Mad Science of Iowa.  Join Keith West as he “dreams big” with his fun magic tricks. Watch as storyteller Daniel Poe brings his tales to life with balloon props.  Zookeepers from Blank Park Zoo will host interactive programs featuring real animals. Then gather the entire family, for old time western music, clogging, and yodeling with the Jackson Family Band.

Junior Garden Club
Thursdays, June 14, 21, 28 and July 10, 17, 24,  10:00 AM, Franklin Avenue Library:
Have fun in the dirt and learn how to garden.  Ages 6-10.

Mad Science of Iowa
Enjoy the zany experiments of Mad Science.  Once again, the mad scientists of Central Iowa will entertain kids and parents with some well-kept secrets from the nighttime world of science.
Monday, June 11, South Side Library, 1:00 PM
Tuesday, June 12, Central Library, 10:30 AM
Tuesday, June 12, Franklin Avenue Library, 3:30 and 6:30 PM
Thursday, June 14, East Side Library, 10:30 AM
Wednesday, June 20, Forest Avenue Library, 2:00 PM

Dream Big. . .Read with Magician Keith West
Discover the magic!  Dreams give us a destination, books give us direction.  Put them both together and voila! We can experience the magic that occurs when our dreams and hard work become reality.
Tuesday, June 19, Central Library, 10:30 AM
Tuesday, June 19, Franklin Avenue Library, 3:30 and 6:30 PM

Beyond My Wildest Dreams
Storyteller extraordinaire Daniel Poe, from Creations with a Twist, not only tells the tales but has the kids act out the scenes guaranteed to make you laugh.  The props for the stories are all made out of balloons and will amaze young and old alike. 
Thursday, June 21, East Side Library 10:30 AM
Monday, June 25, South Side Library, 1:00 PM

Up Close with Animals
Zookeepers will bring several animal ambassadors for an interactive program.  Learn all about each animal, ask questions, and pet the animals. You might see an alligator, a ferret or some other cool animals when the zoo visits, so come and be surprised!
Monday, June 18, South Side Library, 1:00 PM
Wednesday, June 20, North Side Library 10:30 AM
Wednesday, June 20, Forest Avenue Library, 2:00 PM
Tuesday, June 26, Franklin Avenue Library, 3:30 and 6:30 PM
Thursday, June 29, East Side Library 10:30 AM

Dan Wardell from Iowa Public Television will help us kick off a summer of fun during his annual Reading Road Trip with two shows at the Central Library on Tuesday, June 26 at 9:30  and 10:30 AM.
Mama’s Wranglers
Don’t miss the Jackson Family Band—an amazing family, comprised of Mom Toni and her six children! Bring the kids, the parents and the grandparents for old time western music, clogging, and the yodeling of ten-year-old Skyler. 
Monday, July 23, Franklin Avenue Library, 2:00 PM
Monday, July 23, South Side Library, 6:30 PM

Pella Wildlife Company Presents Urban Wildlife
Tuesday, July 17, 10:30 AM, Central Library:  Learn how raccoons, skunks, and bats have made a home for themselves in urban areas.  Ages 4 and up.

 CULTURALL Presents Gyotaku
Thursday, July 19, 2:00 PM, Central Library:  Learn the Japanese art of fish printing.

African American Museum of Iowa Presents Dr. Carver’s Lab
Thursday, July 26, 2:00 PM, Central Library:  Learn all about George Washington Carver’s early cook stove experiments!

Dream Big with the Belin Quartet
Friday, July 27, Central Library Lawn: 10:30 AM

Thank You
The 2012 Summer Reading Program is made possible thanks to funding from the Des Moines Public Library Foundation with generous support from The Bright Foundation, ITA Group, Prairie Meadows, and Principal Financial Group, Inc.