I Hope They Understand Storytime

w/ Local Author JULEYA WOODSON!

Let's celebrate Black History Month with a story time, a craft, and fun for all!

Join the Evanston Public Library and local Evanston author, Juleya Woodson, as she reads her concept book, I Hope They Understand, and leads an interactive craft around various topics found in the book. This story time is geared towards ages 0 - 5 years old and will take place at the Evanston Public Library - Robert Crown Branch on Saturday, February 24, from 3pm - 4:30pm. Grown-ups will be able to learn more about Juleya's work and get a preview of her I Hope They Understand Activity Book and Let's Talk About Race Within a Box Art Kit. Currently, Juleya's book can be found in all District 65 kindergarten classes and she recently piloted a program at Oakton Elementary School. Below you can learn more about Juleya and her inspiration. 

Come ready to have a great time! 

All of the craft materials will be provided. 

Attendees will have the chance to purchase book and/or the activity book at the event. 

Juleya Woodson always had a passion for access, equity, diversity, and inclusion work. However, her passion grew deeper as she witnessed the George Floyd and Breonna Taylor incidents with the rest of the world. Her son was two years old at the time, and she could not help but feel insecure, worried, helpless, and inadequate as a mother, wife, sister, and daughter of black males. The Media’s message of what it meant to be beautiful, safe, adequate, and superior was frightening.

Consequently, it was even more frightening as Juleya realized how much the youngest minds internalize the world around them. As a Social Worker and Family Support Specialist she is able to witness child development for children between the ages of 0 and 5. That is when Juleya realized she had to do something to ensure all children were receiving the right messages as they are our future leaders. Her mission is to guarantee all children have healthy racial identities, acceptance, and a sense of cultural competence. Our future leaders will know how to work and build meaningful relationships with individuals from dissimilar cultures and races while showing high levels of compassion and empathy. 

Upcoming events