Birdie’s Bookmobile Returns to Bookfest for More Kids’ Activities and Book Donations
Birdie’s Bookmobile, a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating book deserts and getting books into the hands and homes of children and families in Detroit, will return to this year’s Detroit Festival of Books with programming for kid attendees.Birdie’s Bookmobile has distributed over 40,000 free books in partnership with local schools and community organizations with 20,000 books supporting adult literacy. This year’s Bookfest will be Sunday, July 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Detroit’s Eastern Market.
In addition to accepting donations of children’s and young adult books, Birdie’s Bookmobile will offer several fun activities for children including:
- Storytime and a pool-themed reading area chock full of children’s books where kids can kick back and relax.
- Once Upon a Time — a collective story written by children attendees. The finished story will be available to read on the Birdie’s Bookmobile website after Bookfest.
- Create Your Own Comic Strip
There is no general admission fee at Bookfest nor is there a charge for kids’ activities.
Book donations will increase the number of books children in Detroit can access at home, promote shared reading experiences, and improve literacy outcomes.
Birdie’s Bookmobile accepts new and gently used
- board books
- picture books
- early readers
- chapter books
- graphic novels
- middle-grade books
- young-adult books
“Community partners are the backbone of our organization. With their help, Birdie’s Bookmobile has distributed 40,000 free books to children and families in Detroit,” said Alyce Hartman, founder and executive director of Birdie’s Bookmobile.
“We are thrilled that Birdie’s Bookmobile is returning to Bookfest,” said Ryan M. Place, the book festival’s founder and chairman. “This organization does so much to ensure all Detroit children have an opportunity to build their own libraries and develop a life-long love of reading.”
The Detroit Festival of Books takes place Sunday, July 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Sheds 4 and 5 in Detroit’s Eastern Market. The event is free. Photos of the 2023 Bookfest are available for download and use via this link.
Michigan Science Center Detroit
STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) is one of the underappreciated interests of many Detroiters. This fun factoid does not get enough acknowledgement.
Originally coined by the NSF in 2001, STEM is a now-familiar acronym. However, one group has been keeping it on the map daily for decades.
Located in Detroit’s bustling Midtown cultural center district, the Michigan Science Center is a wonderful resource for all ages. It is a wellspring of creativity, innovation, and divergent thinking.
This 3-story, 110,000-square-foot hands-on science museum features a stunning variety of exhibits, theaters, galleries, programs, and a STEM-themed science store.
Michigan Science Center Detroit (photo courtesy of Mi-Sci)
The Michigan Science Center opened in 2012. Mi-Sci is a 501c3 non-profit organization, a Smithsonian Affiliate, and a hub for all things STEAM.
Visitors can immerse themselves in a world of 220+ interactive exhibits, live science demonstrations, the Toyota Engineering 4D Theater, IMAX, Planetarium, and more.
We are beyond thrilled to announce that the Michigan Science Center will be doing a STEM-themed pop-up at Detroit Bookfest.
Camera Stevens is kindly chatting with me on one of her short breaks from the hustle bustle. As the Outreach Programs Manager, Camera adheres to a busy schedule and spearheads several cool and important initiatives for Mi-Sci. Okay, enough Ryanbabble. Let’s hear the inside scoop from Camera.
Camera Stevens is the Outreach Programs Manager for Michigan Science Center in Detroit (photo courtesy of Mi-Sci)
Camera Stevens:
“I grew up in the Southern Ohio/ West Virginia area, graduated Alma College in the middle of the mitten (20 minutes south of Mount Pleasant), spent six years as a naturalist, one year as a National Park Ranger at Sleeping Bear Dunes, and now I’m doing outreach for Mi-Sci.”
“The two main traveling programs we offer are Aramco Traveling Science and ECHO Distance Learning. My role is to take these programs outside the building to all counties in Michigan, along with portions of Ohio and Indiana. Aramco is in-person hands-on, whereas ECHO is a multi-country online platform.”
Michigan Science Center STEM Store Detroit (photo courtesy of Mi-Sci)
“Mi-Sci’s STEM pop-up at Detroit Bookfest will have three main components: Invisible Ink, Six Bricks, and a variety of books from our Science Store.”
“Invisible Ink is a live science demonstration where we look at how oxygen reacts with vitamin C and lemon juice. When we add heat, it will oxidize, and their name or message will come through the paper. Six Bricks is a fun brain activity using LEGO’s Duplo blocks courtesy of our partners at the LEGO Playful Learning Museum Network. This activity incorporates learning through play and fosters community building because you and a partner must work together on it.”
“Some of the books from the Science Store will feature titles for all ages centering around STEM topics including Science Fiction, diverse characters in STEM fields, and authors from a variety of backgrounds. We also carry some titles in Spanish such as, Maybe I’ll Be An Architect/ Tal Vez Sere Una Arquitecta and Maybe I’ll Be An Engineer/ Tal Vez Sere Una Ingeniera.”
“I love working at Mi-Sci. Guests should definitely check out the Science Hall. Our current temporary exhibition, called Above and Beyond, highlights innovation and ideas around the aerodynamics of spaceflight and aviation. And our stage shows are always a fun time. We offer live interactive demonstrations daily (10:30am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm).”
Michigan Science Center Detroit rocket (photo courtesy of Mi-Sci)
“Fun fact about our museum. There is an easter egg (hidden feature) that a lot of people don’t realize we have. In our Space Gallery, one of the rockets was too tall, so it actually continues up above the ceiling. Look beyond the solar panels for the top of the rocket!”
“Mi-Sci is fun for all ages. We also have 21+ events. And we host lots of field trips across all grades from kindergarten to high school groups.”
“Memberships with Mi-Sci, on top of being amazing and worthwhile in general, can also get you discounted rates and free entry at many other museums across the country.”
Thank you, Camera! Come check out Mi-Sci’s STEM pop-up at Detroit Bookfest. And be sure to visit the museum while you’re in town.
Michigan Science Center Detroit (photo courtesy of Mi-Sci)
Michigan Science Center
5020 John R Street
Detroit, MI 48202
Homepage
https://www.mi-sci.org/
Become a Member
https://www.mi-sci.org/become-a-member/
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/MI.Science.Center/
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/mi_sci/
TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/place/Michigan-Science-Center-22535796499036506
Michigan Science Center Detroit hours and cost
Michigan Science Center Detroit (photo courtesy of Mi-Sci)
Michigan Science Center Detroit (photo courtesy of Mi-Sci)
Michigan Science Center Detroit (photo courtesy of Mi-Sci)
DETROIT – With just one month left, the all-volunteer Detroit Festival of Books is making final preparations for the seventh-annual Bookfest on Sunday, July 21.
Bookfest is expanding beyond its traditional venue in Shed 5. For the first time in its history, Bookfest will also be present inside portions of Shed 4, the Russell Street parking area adjoining Shed 4, and the plaza adjoining Shed 5.
“It’s becoming a much bigger event than it was when we started in 2017” said Ryan M. Place, founder and chairman of Bookfest. “We’ll have more booksellers, authors, and organizations with children’s programming. And we’ll have more volunteers to make sure Bookfest is a fun experience for everyone. Stay tuned!”
The Detroit Festival of Books will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 21. Admission is free. Photos of the 2023 Bookfest are available for download and use via this link.
*Big thank you to Bookfest Committee member Louie Meizlish for sourcing and arranging this!*
Arts & Scraps Detroit Scrapmobile (photo by Arts & Scraps)
Arts & Scraps has been an interactive institution on the Eastside for over thirty years.
Founded in 1989 by Peg Upmeyer, Arts & Scraps was originally started to help cash-strapped teachers obtain affordable, creative resources for their students.
Arts & Scraps is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and recycling store which collects donated recycled goods and turns them into art.
They recycle over 28 tons (ie: 56,000 pounds) of industrial materials annually!
Arts & Scraps Detroit (photo by Ryan M. Place)
Their East English Village location includes a 5,000-square foot combination store, offices, classroom, and donation intake. Located across Harper Avenue is their 13,000-square foot warehouse where the Scrapmobile is parked and where their creative ‘sticky kits’ are assembled.
Open to the general public, the store features a delightfully whimsical interior, which fondly reminds me of rummaging for treasures at Neisner’s and Jupiter’s on Vernor Hwy many moons ago.
Arts & Scraps community store manager, Stevie Baka, was kind enough to chat with me about their operation.
Arts & Scraps Detroit community store manager, Stevie Baka (photo by Ryan M. Place)
Let’s hear from Stevie directly:
“Arts & Scraps is thrilled to be coming to Detroit Bookfest! Our 26-foot-long bus, the Scrapmobile, will be there. The inside is filled with recycled creative materials, kids can get a bag and make something completely unique. Building their own book, for example.”
“Arts & Scraps is a creative re-use that focuses on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) education by reimagining teaching tools. Our programming is STEM, and the store is art-based.”
“Many businesses generate a ton of ‘waste’ which can easily be donated and used by someone else. You never know what somebody can use or re-use. We also encourage people to recycle what they can at home.”
“The store features things like fabric, yarn stock, rubber stamps, sewing materials, scrapbooking & collage-making materials, heritage crafts, old photos, postcards, magazines, bottles, paint, laces, etc.”
Arts & Scraps Detroit (photo by Ryan M. Place)
“Kids can make some amazing stuff! We encourage kids to focus on imagination, creativity, and open-ended experimentation. We’re experience-driven and encourage people to experiment with their innate creativity. We’re also a field trip program with a target age range of three to pre-teen.”
“If your company is looking for something unique to do, Arts & Scraps engages in corporate volunteering. Companies like Ford, Rocket, BCBS, Motown Mission, etc, have their employees volunteer here.”
“We often receive donations of the contents of entire houses when people’s relatives pass on. There is an energy transference when loved one’s pass away. People feel good knowing that their items are not going into the trash but being loved and re-used by the community.”
“In regard to book donations, we prefer anything kids, educational, old, weird, unusual, etc, because the books will be cup up and collaged, which we know is considered sacrilegious by many book collectors, but it’s still better than old books being pulped and completely destroyed.”
“When donating, we prefer that people please drop off their items to us. You can make an appointment to donate your items to us on our website or by phone.”
Thanks, Stevie!
St. Albertus Rectory (4231 St. Aubin @ Canfield, Detroit) photo by Google
Interesting historical sidenote about Stevie:
They live inside the old St. Albertus Rectory (4231 St. Aubin @ Canfield, Detroit). Open from 1891-1990, the rectory is now in the care of Stevie’s family.
“My family immigrated from Poland and lived near the Rectory in Poletown. My Grandpa went to school there, got married there and my brothers were able to move in and rehab it under the guidance of the Polish American Historical Site Association (PAHSA) who owns the property. We are always looking for volunteers there, as well.”
Arts & Scraps
16135 Harper Ave.
Detroit, MI 48244
Homepage
https://www.artsandscraps.org/
Contact
[email protected]
Donation form (donate your materials here)
https://www.artsandscraps.org/donate-1
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ArtsAndScrapsDetroit/
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/artsandscraps/
Arts & Scraps Detroit donations
Arts & Scraps Detroit (photo by Ryan M. Place)
Arts & Scraps Detroit (photo by Ryan M. Place)
Arts & Scraps Detroit (photo by Ryan M. Place)
Arts & Scraps Detroit (photo by Ryan M. Place)
Arts & Scraps Detroit (photo by Ryan M. Place)
Arts & Scraps Detroit (photo by Ryan M. Place)
Arts & Scraps Detroit (photo by Ryan M. Place)
Arts & Scraps Detroit (photo by Ryan M. Place)
Arts & Scraps Detroit (photo by Ryan M. Place)
Arts & Scraps Detroit (photo by Ryan M. Place)
Arts & Scraps Detroit (photo by Ryan M. Place)
Arts & Scraps Detroit (photo by Ryan M. Place)
Arts & Scraps Detroit (photo by Ryan M. Place)
Arts & Scraps Detroit (photo by Ryan M. Place)
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