By Andrea Tiberi aka Mr. Bear
Hello, humans! It’s me—Mr. Bear (but my friends call me Teddy). Longtime bedtime snuggler, part-time scraped knee healer, and now… library adventurer! That’s right, me and your favorite plush pals are getting the VIP treatment at the Aurora Public Library District with two overnight events designed just for us: A Stuffed Animal Sleepover on the Bookmobile and the Stuffy Sleepover (PijamadaMuñecos de Peluche). I’m a little nervous to be away from home, but so excited to meet some new friends!
For each event, you’ll drop us off at the library, say your goodbyes, and then the real adventure begins! Throughout the night, we’ll explore books, sneak snacks (don’t tell), and maybe even start a pillow fight. Shawna, a human who works for the Outreach Services Department, got the idea for the Sleepover on the Bookmobile from her daughter. “At bedtime one night, my youngest daughter was holding her special stuffed sloth when she asked me ‘Where does the Bookmobile sleep?’” That got Shawna thinking about this fun idea to invite me and my friends to see for ourselves! At the Bookmobile event drop off, the tiny humans will enjoy a sleepover-themed storytime at Arrow Wood Park, as well as some sleepover-themed activities. For the Stuffy Sleepover at Santori Library, you’ll get to make me a cool name tag before giving a big hug and saying goodnight. Once the humans leave… it’s GO time. Ever see a teddy bear drive a bookmobile or ride a book cart? You might after this!
When you pick us up the next day, you’ll get photographic proof of all our hijinks. “I’m most looking forward to the reactions and conversations this program will start,” said Hannah, a human who works in the Kiwanis Children’s Center at the Santori Library. “I hope kids and parents will find the personification of their stuffed animals joyful and humorous.” Some important tips for you humans: make sure your schedule is clear for both drop off and pick up times and choose a stuffy that’s not essential to the bedtime routine (we don’t want any tears from our tiny humans because they miss us!).
I’m so excited for my own special adventure at APLD! Each time my tiny human comes home from the library, they bring new stories, songs, and games that are so much fun! Drop off for the Stuffed Animal Sleepover on the Bookmobile will be at Arrow Wood Park at 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 11. Pick up will be Tuesday, Aug. 12 between 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Phillips Park Zoo Visitors Center (during our Activities on the Go program). The Stuffy Sleepover is a bilingual (English/Spanish) program on Tuesday, Sept. 9, National Teddy Bear Day (hey, that’s me!). For that event, bring your stuffed animal to the Santori Library between 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and pickup is the following day.
For more information, ask a big human to visit www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/events or call the library at 630-264-4117.
Andrea Tiberi is the communications coordinator for the Aurora Public Library District.