It’s tough to be an outsider. That’s the problem faced by Wanda Petronski in “The Hundred Dresses” at the Children’s Theatre of Western Springs.
“Wanda is very shy in her new school because she just moved from Poland with her family,” said 16-year-old Erin Cook of LaGrange Park who plays Wanda. “She knows some English but is basically a fish out of water there. The other students bully her because she doesn’t fit in. With her family, her personality changes completely.”
Wanda uses drawing as an outlet. “Her hundred dresses are pictures she draws,” Erin said. “She gives people her pictures to try to fit in.”
The lesson of this show is, “Get to know people before you judge them,” Erin explained.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 7-9, at 4384 Hampton Ave., Western Springs. Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for students ages 18 and younger.
For details, call (708) 246-3380 or go to http://www.theatreofwesternsprings.com.
Don’t breathe a word!
Dads, you will be in charge of bringing your child to Family Science Saturday: Secret Project, 10-11 a.m. Saturday, May 9 at Hinsdale Public Library, 20 E. Maple St. Your child will make a Mother’s Day gift for you-know-who at this drop-in event.
For details, call (630) 986-1976 or go to http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info.
Belle of the ball
A real princess is coming to Belle’s Book Party, 10-10:45 a.m. Saturday, May 2 at Clarendon Hills Public Library, 7 N. Prospect. Children ages 3-7, with a caregiver, will hear Belle read a story and do a bookmark craft. Princess attire is encouraged. Registration is required.
For details, call (630) 323-8188 or go to clarendonhillslibrary.org.
Thinking caps required
Children will learn to nurture their ideas at a “What Do You Do With an Idea?” storytime, 11 a.m. Saturday, May 2 at the Oak Brook Barnes and Noble, 297 Oakbrook Center. The featured book is by Kobi Yamada. There will be related activities.
For details, call (630) 684-0586 or go to http://www.barnesandnoble.com.
They’ll make their mark
Young artists are invited to enter a Design a Bookmark Contest, May 3-23, at Oak Brook Public Library, 600 Oak Brook Road. Bring your preschooler-ninth-grader to the Youth Services Desk to pick up a registration form. This year’s summer reading theme is “Read to the Rhythm!”
For details, call (630) 368-7700 or go to http://www.oak-brook.org.
