Junie B. Jones bus stops in Oak Park

Young readers will meet one of their favorite characters when the Junie B. Jones Stupid Smelly Bus Tour stops at the Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St., from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 5.

“We are one of only 33 bookstores, libraries and military bases on the tour,” said Iris Yipp, co-owner of Magic Tree Bookstore, co-sponsor of the stop. “We’ve been trying to get the tour for a long time. We love anything that can bring books to life for children.”

Kids will meet actors playing the feisty first-grader and Mr. Woo from the book series.

“Junie B. will open her big pink trunk of junk, sharing instantly recognizable items from the series such as her stuffed elephant, Philip Johnny Bob,” Yipp said.

There will be an official book stamping and free souvenirs for every child in attendance.

Pick up tickets in advance at the library or Magic Tree Bookstore., 141 N. Oak Park Ave.

For details, call (708) 452-3420 or visit oppl.org or magictreebooks.com.

Bright night

A spectacular color display will fill the sky above Oak Park and River Forest High School, 201 N. Scoville Ave., Oak Park, for the Gala July 4th Fireworks Celebration at dusk Wednesday, July 4. There also will be music and activities.

For details, call (708) 660-1000 or visit oakparkparks.com.

Bells but no whistles

Kids ages 4 to 12, accompanied by an adult, will create a one-of-a-kind musical instrument at Summer Fun & Games: Festive Tambourines from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, at the Elmhurst Historical Museum, 120 E. Park Ave. They can personalize their instrument with bells, string and artwork. Cost is $2 for nonmembers, $1 for members.

For details, call (630) 833-1457 or visit elmhursthistory.org.

Go buggy

The author of Bugs and Us will lead kids on an exploration of the secret lives of bugs from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 30, at the Magic Tree Bookstore, 141 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park. Kids will make insect trading cards, larvae love letters and bug juice with Patricia J. Murphy. Call for reservations and to reserve a book.

For details, call (708) 848-0770 or visit magictreebooks.com.

A royal welcome

Oak Park’s children’s museum has two new exhibits thanks to Fantasy Kingdom. When that Lincoln Park children’s museum closed earlier this month, it donated a village and castle from its display to Wonder Works, 6445 W. North Ave., Oak Park. Over the summer, murals will be added to enhance the exhibits.

For details, call (708) 383-4815 or visit wonder-works.org.

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