2026 Fandom Fest Artists and Cosplayers
ARTISTS
Archangelo Crelencia https://www.instagram.com/thearchangelo/?hl=en
Artistic Dragon Studio https://www.artisticdragon.com/
Artemis @artemiscole on Instagram
Avina Comics https://www.avinacomics.com/
Byrd's Eye View Comics https://byrdseyeviewcomics.com/
Brianne Blossoms https://www.facebook.com/BrianneBlossoms/
The Comic Chest https://www.facebook.com/thecomicchest/
Creative Tene www.creativetene.com
Deinyzart https://www.instagram.com/deinyzart
Empathetic Elephant https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmpatheticElephant
Fiddledoo Friends https://www.facebook.com/fiddledoofriends
Galactic Crafters www.instagram.com/galacticcrafters
Gene Ha https://www.geneha.com/
Jessie Phan Art https://jessiephanart.com/
Justin Castaneda https://whenuwerelittle.art/
LaviHQ https://lavihq.carrd.co/
MylCreates https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ZNzc7dKsVdycuFSYr1Je6v6R9Pj3qfAiw3XPl77CyK0/edit
NimbleJingleCo https://nimblejingleco.etsy.com
Ryebread Creations https://ryebreadcreations.carrd.co/
SEM Illustrations https://www.etsy.com/shop/SEMillustrations
Skulls & Sketches https://skullsnsketches.com/
Space Gallery Online https://www.facebook.com/SpaceGalleryOnline/
Timber and Token https://store.timberandtokengaming.com/fandomfest2026
Winston Gambro https://winstongambro.com/
COSPLAYERS
Faeries of the Forest Inc.
Step into the faerie realm with the 3rd annual Faeries of the Forest Festival on July 25th. Come dance, eat, and be merry with our faerie friends as they celebrate the joy of life, happiness, and magic. Enjoy the music, the vendors, and the faeries of course!" https://linktr.ee/faeriesoftheforest.
The 501st Legion
The Midwest Garrison is the Illinois chapter of The 501st Legion, the world’s largest Star Wars Imperial costuming club. The 501st is dedicated to the movie-quality costumes of the “villains” of the Star Wars universe. The 501st Legion promotes interest in STAR WARS and facilitates the use of these costumes for STAR WARS-related events as well as contributes to the local community through costumed charity and volunteer work. We are “bad guys doing good!” https://midwestgarrison.com/
Windy City Ghostbusters
The Windy City Ghostbusters are a registered 501(c)3 charitable organization made up of Chicagoland Ghostbusters enthusiasts who make and build their own Ghostbusters Universe-inspired costumes and props. The proceeds from Windy City Ghostbusters events go to La Rabida Children's Hospital and other like organizations. We’re ready to believe you! https://www.facebook.com/WindyCityGB
League of Enchantment
The League of Enchantment is a 501(c)3 nonprofit with the mission to work together with local hospitals, community organizations, and events to bring hope and smiles to kids and kids at heart. Locally, we work in various capacities with Lurie Children’s Hospital, St. Alexius/Amita in Hoffman Estates, and the Tunnels to Towers charity in their fund-raising efforts. Whether it is a smile, hug, photo, or a simple conversation with a child, we are here to make a difference in their lives all through the power of cosplay. https://www.leagueofenchantment.org/
Movement Revolution Dance Crew
Join Movement Revolution Dance Crew and the Cosplay DJs for a high energy, jam packed performance that combines fandom, Hip Hop and cosplay to create a unique and epic experience! www.MovementRevolutionDanceCrew.com
Still Time for Summer Reading!
Summer Reading is almost done, but there is still time to log your reading and complete your Summer Reading! Log onto balibrary.org/summer, sign in (or even sign up), and you can log all of the reading you have done this summer already.
You do not need to put in specific dates or even titles. If you have read at least 20 minutes every day since May 28, you have read 1,400 minutes! That is amazing and we feel like that should be celebrated!
Once you complete your 500 minutes, you get a free book, a button, and a free ice cream cone coupon to be used at any Bear Family Restaurants McDonald's location.
We also have tons of activities for Pre-Readers and Readers that you can do as well on Beanstack to earn even more buttons. Here are some pictures that fellow Readers have drawn to earn the Book of the Summer badge!
FAQ’s
Do I need a library card to join?
No you do not! Anyone can do the program!
My child is only 5 months and can’t read, can they join?
Yes! The program is for everyone, even babies and toddlers. All books that are read to the baby count!
I am already using Beanstack for another library, do I use the same account?
You will need to create another account for Barrington, but with the app, you can easily toggle between the different libraries. You need to log the books for each site separately.
Do I have to log every title?
No. You can bulk log all of your reading starting from May 28. You can log up to 600 minutes at once.
Happy Reading everyone!
Youth Services Librarian MaryJo
Back-to-School Anxiety
Is your little one nervous about going back to school? It is quite common! Starting school, whether it is your first year or you’ve done it before, can be scary. There are a lot of changes and new things to learn. Here are some tips to help alleviate worry and anxiety about going back to school.
Talk and listen
Have an open conversation about what is worrying them about going back to school. Ask what makes this a nerve wracking time so you can help them problem solve or prepare for specific situations. If they are not able to express what is scary – that’s ok! Assure them that being nervous is a normal emotion and reaction.
Prepare
Walking through anxiety provoking situations can be extremely helpful. If they are nervous about something specific, role play what the situation might look like and how they can address it or ask for help. If you are able to, drive to the school and visit so they can become familiar with where they will be each day.
Involve them in decisions
Have them help pick out their going back to school supplies, backpack, lunchbox or whatever else they may need for school. Getting something in their favorite color or including their favorite superhero or TV character can help make this a fun and exciting time!
Start the routine
Help get them into the swing of going back to school by starting the routine early. Change is hard, so the more time kids have to adjust, the better! This could involve setting a bed time, wake up time, eating and getting dressed in the morning, or whatever your family decides to do to!
Friends
Help connect them to their school friends! Reach out to other families who will be attending the same school or will be in the same class so they can meet. It is much easier to do something new when you have a friendly, familiar face by your side.
Calming exercises
Try some calming exercises to help alleviate worry and anxiety. Calming exercises are great to practice when you are feeling calm so that when you are anxious you are already an expert in a technique to help! Some calming exercises include belly breathing, 54321 grounding, or doing a little stretch!
Read books
Check out our Back-to-School picture book section for stories about going to school that children can relate to. Need other book recommendations? Just ask a librarian; we are happy to help!
Youth Services Assistant Librarian Jessica
Move, Build, Create, and Connect at the DuPage Children's Museum!
Image by diana.grytsku on Freepik
Hi, cardholders! Summer is the perfect season to visit the amazing DuPage Children's Museum, where kids can flex their brain muscles, hone their fine motor skills, and -- of course -- have fun!
Located in Naperville, Illinois, the DuPage Children's Museum uses science and art to stimulate children's creativity and problem-solving skills. Here are just a few of the great exhibits families can visit:
- Play, build, and create with real wood and real tools at The Moser Construction House!
- Generate energy with a big waterwheel, create a current with circuits and conductors, and navigate a wind tunnel at AWEsome Energy!
- Work together to build a pyramid at Pyramid Bench!
There are so many cool things kids can do at the DuPage Children's Museum, all of which are designed to develop specific skills in children of all ages.
Barrington Area Library cardholders will receive one FREE museum admission with purchase of one regular admission. Maximum of three free admissions.
Advanced reservations are not required for Explore More Illinois users. Please go to the museum front desk and show your pass to receive your discount. Pass cannot be combined with any other offer. Not valid for parties, group visits, field trips, or Bubble Bash.
For more information, visit this page, accessible through the Barrington Area Library homepage. Please be sure to check offer availability prior to reservation. You can also contact us at exploremore@balibrary.org.
Youth Services Librarian Chris
Summer Mindfulness Activities
Mindfulness is an activity you can practice year-round, but here are some summer inspired activities to encourage mindful moments for your little ones.
- Gardening
Whether it is at home or participating in a gardening program at the BALibrary, gardening is a great way to connect to nature! What colors do you see? How does the dirt feel between your fingers? Notice how the flowers smell. - Cloud watching
Gaze up at the clouds and see what shapes you can see! Better yet, lay in the grass and notice how it feels beneath your body. - Blowing bubbles
Get out your bubbles and wand! Pay attention your breath as you inhale and exhale to make the bubbles. - Draw with sidewalk chalk
Get creative and draw something you love! What colors do you use? What shapes are within your drawings? What texture does the chalk have? - Nature walk
Put on those walking shoes and explore nature! What do you see? What colors do you notice? What does the ground feel like beneath your feet? Do you feel the sun on your face or the wind in your hair? What do you hear or smell? Name anything else you notice!
Interested in programs related to mindfulness? Check out Morning Garden Story Time, Loose Parts Nature Play, Nature Art, Nature I Spy, Meditation Story Time, and Little Kids, Big Feelings.
Youth Services Assistant Librarian Jessica
Setting
What’s in a story? Story Elements
Setting:
A story's setting can be best described as the location, time, or time period of the story. It’s the where and when of a story. Some stories have a simpler setting, such as one place or location in which the story is set. As your reader progresses in their reading ability, storylines become more complex. Settings and the time period can occur in different locations throughout the story.
The setting of the story is powerful because it has a direct impact on what the characters experience in the story.
Questions to ask while reading with your child:
- What is the weather like? (Is it sunny, hot, snowing, etc.)
- Is it dark or light when the story takes place?
- What year or season is it?
- What does the environment look like? (forest, house, farm)
Here are some great books that showcase settings.
Activity: Setting Match Up
Read (or listen to) the following passages. Use context clues to identify the setting of each passage. Match the labels to the correct passage.
Extend and Explore:
Write your own setting for the two remaining word cards you didn’t use. Be descriptive and use details about the sights and sounds of your story. Then draw an illustration to fit the story/setting.
Activity: Calling All Artists
Goldfish on Vacation is a true story that occurred during the summers of 1992 to 2005. Read the story aloud to your young reader. Have your young reader think about where the story takes place. After listening to the story, have your reader draw a picture of the setting of the story while maybe even enjoying goldfish crackers.
Explore and Extend:
*After creating the illustration, use craft sticks to make a frame. You can also glue the illustration onto a deli tray.
*Play I-Spy -“I spy with my little eye…” using the last two pages of Goldfish on Vacation. This is an excellent activity for your young reader to practice describing, listening, and searching.
*Discuss the setting of the story and how the story might be different if it had taken place in a rural area or in the autumn. How would the story be different?
Activity: Compare & Contrast
After listening to Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, compare and contrast the town of Chewandswallow with your hometown.
Compare & Contrast
Extend and Explore:
Where would you rather live; in your town or in the town of Chewandswallow? What is your reason for your choice?
I would rather live in _______________because ___________________________________
Understanding the setting of a story is a key aspect to reading comprehension. The setting impacts the characters and the story's mood. It also helps to connect story elements, such as the characters, problems, solutions, and conclusions.
Have fun and explore, with your reader, other pictures books, or novels. Remember to apply some of the fun techniques and questions shown above or create your own!
Have fun and keep reading.
Be sure to check out our story kit in the Early Reader Kits, available in the YS Department.
Youth Services Assistant Librarian Erin
Youth Services Assistant Librarian Karen
2023 Summer Reading Secret Code: DISCOVER IDEAS
Expressing Gratitude - Scavenger Hunt Edition
Gratitude can have a big impact on our lives. It has been proven to be effective in improving mood, increasing ability to cope with emotions, decreasing stress, and so many other positive benefits. Let’s practice showing our gratitude in a creative way - with a scavenger hunt! Use the list below to find what sparks your joy and makes you smile.
- Something you enjoy looking at
- Something that is useful to you
- Something that is your favorite color
- Something that makes you smile when you see it
- Something that smells good
- Something that makes you laugh
- Something you enjoy in the morning
- Something you enjoy at night
- Something that means a lot to you
- Something you love to spend time with
- Something that reminds you of the people you love
- Something you created
- Something you like to share with others
- Something that makes you feel calm
- Something you love
Looking for more fun activities?
Gratitude for Kids - 9 Ways to Practice Gratitude with Kids ⋆ Journal for Kids
Learn more about why gratitude is so important:
Why gratitude is important for kids? | WOW Parenting
8 Reasons Why Gratitude is Important for Kids — Peake Academy
The Positive Impact of Gratitude on Mental Health | Psychology Today
We’d love to hear about your experience with the scavenger hunt! Chat with us at the Youth Services Reference Desk, or email us at youthservices@balibrary.org.
Youth Services Assistant Librarian Jessica
Never Fear, Superhero Story Time Is Here!
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... two librarians wearing capes!
That's right -- to celebrate the beginning of Fandom Fest at the Barrington Area Library, Youth Services Librarians Chris and MaryJo have donned their capes and put together a great story time for your little superhero.
Be sure to check out all of the great Fandom Fest events this year!
Looking for more great programming? Visit balibrary.org. Don't forget to sign up for our free e-newsletter!
Youth Services Librarian Chris
Take a Trip to the Chicago Children’s Museum with Explore More Illinois!
Attention, cardholders: the Barrington Area Library is now participating in the Explore More Illinois program. This service, offered by RAILS (Reaching Across Illinois Library Systems), makes it easier for cardholders to visit various museums, historical sites, and other educational sites across Illinois (and part of Wisconsin).
Today we’ll look at the Chicago Children’s Museum, one of the many exciting locations you can visit!
At the Chicago Children’s Museum (located on Navy Pier) kids can climb 37 feet up in the Cloud Buster, dig for bones on the Dinosaur Expedition, solve engineering puzzles in the Tinkering Lab, produce cinematic mini-masterpieces at the Story Hub, and much more.
If you’re eager to take your little ones on a science adventure, be sure to check out our Explore More Illinois page. The Chicago Children’s Museum offers Barrington Area Library cardholders a special offer on passes: 4 for the price of 1! For only $20 a group of 4 can spend the day at the Museum. Limited to one reservation per cardholder. Be sure to click "Show first available offer" to check for available dates.
What are you waiting for? Check out Explore More Illinois, courtesy of RAILS!
For more information, visit this page, accessible through the Barrington Area Library homepage. Please be sure to check offer availability prior to reservation. You can also contact us at exploremore@balibrary.org.
Youth Services Librarian Chris
Teaching Garden Opening
The Library's new Teaching Garden is now officially open. To celebrate, we created a special kit that was given away at the grand opening. We still have plenty left, and can be picked up at the Youth Services desk as a first come first served basis. The kit is a build your own bird feeder, that includes instructions on how to make them. Adult Services will also have a kit available in the Atrium of the library for adults.
Allergy Warning: The Birdseed in this kit is manufactured in a facility that handles major allergens including peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, fish, and soy products. Therefore this product may contain such allergens. Wash hands after handling birdseed.
Video Instructions for the Cookie Cutter Bird Feeder:
Inspired to learn more about gardening? Check out these gardening books available to check out from the library.
Looking for more recommendations? Fill out our form to get a custom list of reads or a Book Bundle for pickup.
Youth Services Specialists MaryJo
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