Kapow! Wham! Bang!

Denver Comic Con a Smashing Success

By Tara Bannon Williamson

Park Hill Librarian

The Denver Public Library was proud to participate in the 2018 Denver Comic Con at the Denver Convention Center June 15-17. With more than 100.000 in attendance, library staff were thrilled to connect with over 11,000 avid readers, film buffs, gamers and pop culture aficionados of all ages. We even signed up some folks for their first library card.

Denver Comic Con (DCC) is a program of the Colorado nonprofit Pop Culture Classroom that is dedicated to inspiring a love of learning, increasing literacy, celebrating diversity and building community. The first day of DCC is Educator’s Day and dedicated to teachers, librarians, and students of all ages, most of them receiving free admission to attend.

The library has been participating in DCC since 2012 and built a following among attendees for the in-depth and educational panels offered by the library at DCC. The library offered nine panels this year ranging in topics from Calvin & Hobbes, Star Wars, Dungeons & Dragons, Black Panther and many others.

This year, DCC launched its first-ever award. The Excellence in Graphic Literature Awards! committees were comprised of booksellers, librarians, and teachers, selected the best from hundreds of submissions. This year’s winners were Real Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham (children’s category), As the Crow Flies by Melanie Gillman (middle grade category), Home Time by Campbell Whyte (young adult category), and The Hunting Accident by David L. Carlson and Landis Blair (adult category).

The Mosaic Award, which celebrates diversity in graphic literature, was presented by DMC from hip-hop group Run-DMC, and awarded to The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui. The Book of the Year award was presented by Len Vlahos, co-owner of the Tattered Cover bookstore and was awarded to Spill Zone by Scott Westerfeld and Alex Puvilland.

Denver Comic Con is a very different kind of Comic Con than any other in the country. There were more than 50 authors announced as guests, with many presenting panels and signing books. Local artists, much like DiNK, were also featured. While other Comic Cons are more commercial enterprises, money that Denver Comic Con raises goes to funding the Pop Culture Classroom events throughout the year, bringing their curriculum and enthusiasm for reading into schools and correctional facilities.

Park Hill born-and-raised Adam Cayton-Holland was a special guest of Denver Comic Con this year. Local stand-up comedian and star of TruTV’s Those Who Can’t, Cayton-Holland shared his wisdom with children in the Kids’ Lab area by sharing his personal story of turning his talent for being a class clown into a career. Cayton-Holland was also a featured guest for the opening night ceremonies with The Aquabats! and delighted audiences with his wry humor.

Denver Comic Con is a magical time where families dress in costume and share their passion for the books and media they love. The Denver Public Library is already putting together ideas for panels for 2019 celebrating all that the library has to offer. If you are curious about graphic novels, ask your local librarian for a suggestion.

Pauline Robinson Events

Tech Help Appointments | Mondays and Tuesdays, Noon – 1 p.m.

Get technology assistance from one of our in-house experts on your own device or a public computer. Learn the basics, such as email, social networking, word processing and eMedia. Call the library at 720-865-0290 to schedule an appointment for Monday or Tuesday.

*Note: No Class on July 23

Preschool Storytime | Wednesday, July 25, 10:30 a.m.

Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for 3-5 year olds and their parents or caregivers.

Dotted Mug | Tuesday, July 3, 2 p.m.

Participants will decorate a mug using oil based sharpies. Before drinking out of your mug, please put your mug in the oven at 250 degrees for two hours. After two hours, turn off your oven and leave the mug in the oven for at least 1 hour to cool. (Teens)

Embroidery Basics | Tuesday, July 10, 2 p.m.

This is a two-hour crash course in the basics of hand embroidery. We’ll create a fun sampler that will give you all the skills to embark on your own free hand embroidery journey. (Teens)

Read in a Box | Wednesday, July 11, 10:30 a.m.

Get your kids ready to read in fun creative ways in this program geared towards 3- to 5-year-olds. Families can make “story wands” and participate in a scavenger hunt around the library.

Glue Salt Painting | Wednesday, July 11, 3 p.m.

Be an artist. Create an art piece by experimenting with salt. Ideal for children in grades K-5.

Make a Terrarium | Tuesday, July 17, 2 p.m.

Participants will build a terrarium and learn about what different plants needs to thrive. (Teens)

Art Petting Zoo | Wednesday, July 18, 10:30 a.m.

Explore art with your child and help them develop fine motor skills and curiosity using a wide variety of materials. Geared towards 2-5 year olds who love to get messy with art.

Camera Discovery | Saturday, July 21, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Lights Camera Discover provides an all-day workshop to learn various components of performing/digital arts. Participants will learn acting, digital filmmaking, photography, screenwriting, editing and digital works. (Teens)

Ceramics in the City: Glass Fusing | Tuesday, July 24, 1 p.m.

Participants will create projects at the library. Glass will be returned to studio for firing. All items are food safe. Your projects will be returned to the library in 1-2 weeks. Limit 15 participants. (Teens)

Cloud Dough | Wednesday, July 25, 11 a.m.

This activity will pique the senses and provide loads of fun for kids while they stir, mix, scoop and pour their cloud dough. Ideal for children age 0-5. (Join us right after Storytime.)

Bleach Pen T-Shirts | Wednesday, July 25, 3 p.m.

Be a fashion designer. Design your own fashion-forward t-shirt using a bleach pen. Ideal for children in grades K-5.

The Pauline Robinson Book Club | Saturday, July 28, Noon

This month’s selection: Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult. Drop-ins are welcome.

Natural Dye Techniques | Tuesday, July 31, 1 p.m.

Learn the basics of hand dyeing textiles with natural materials, easily found in your kitchen. Beet, turmeric, and onion skins can yield beautiful and varied results. Practice tying and patterning methods while we learn about simple and effective dye processes. Wear clothes that can get dirty. (Teens)

Board Games | Mondays, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 1:30 p.m.

A board game is a tabletop game that involves counters or pieces moved or placed on a pre-marked surface or “board,” according to a set of rules.

Some games are based on pure strategy, but many contain an element of chance; and some are purely chance, with no element of skill.

Maker Thursdays | Thursdays, July 5, 12, 19, 26, 1:30 p.m.

Design, build, and tinker with lots of fun materials to create anything you can dream up. Engineer and build the best solution to a problem using simple materials.

Outside Fun | Thursdays July 12, 19, 26, 2:00 p.m.

Join us for outdoor games and adventures. Enter the Maker Challenge for a chance to win a prize. Visit http://denverlibraryadventures.org/ and click on “Share Your Project.”

Park Hill Library Events

All Ages Storytime | Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.

Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for children of all ages and their parents or caregivers. Craft activity immediately follows the program.

Baby Storytime | Thursdays and Fridays at 11:15 a.m.

Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for babies ages 0-18 months and their caregivers. Play and social time immediately follow the program.

Toddler Storytime | Fridays at 10:30 a.m.

Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for toddlers ages 18-36 months and their caregivers.

Glow in the Dark Bouncy Ball/Slime | Friday, July 6, 3 p.m.

Make a bouncy ball using fluorescent tempera paint. See how it reacts when exposed to a black light. Ideal for ages 5-12.

Magic Club | Monday, July 9 and Monday, July 23, 4:30 p.m.

Do you already play Magic: the Gathering, or are you interested in learning? Stop by two afternoons a month to play and meet other teens. Ideal for ages 10-17.

Teen Advisory Board (TAB) | Tuesday, July 10, 6 p.m.

Join the Park Hill TAB. Help plan events and projects, talk about your favorite books, music, movies and make your opinion count. Plus snacks. Ideal for ages 13 and up.

Church of Cupcakes for Teens | Tuesday, July 10, 6 p.m.

Learn the basics of professional-quality cupcake decorating. All materials provided. Ideal for ages 11-17.

*Up to 20 participants, so arrive early.

Music with Kera | Wednesday |July 11, 3 p.m.

Join us for an interactive music-making session where everyone is a performer.

Shelvis is in the Building! | Wednesday, July 11, 6:30 p.m.

Lori Muha “Shelvis” transforms into the rock and roll superstar Elvis. Her tribute performance of Elvis gets the audience dancing and singing, and you are guaranteed to leave with a smile.

Origami for Seniors | Thursday, July 12, 4 p.m.

Benefit from the tranquil art of paper folding and take away some beautiful items you’ve created from single sheets of paper.

Kids’ Craft: Hexbug Maze | Friday, July 13, 3 p.m.

Participants will build a maze and create obstacles for their Hexbug. Ideal for ages 5-12.

BINGO for Books with Breakfast | Saturday, July 14, 10 a.m.

Enjoy family fun as you play BINGO, eat breakfast snacks, and win books. Prize books for all age’s preschool through adults.

Bubble Wrap Dance Party | Monday, July 16, 10:30 a.m.

Dance on bubble wrap, blow bubbles, and dance to music.

Ideal for ages 1-4, accompanied by an adult.

Kids’ Book Club | Tuesday, July 17, 3:30 p.m.

The Haunted Library by Dori Hillestad Butler Activity: Create a ghostly candle. Ideal for ages 6-9.

Summer Fun with Magic Rob | Wednesday, July 18, 3 p.m.

In this hilarious show, Magic Rob decides to teach the kids an amazing magic trick. Rollicking laughter ensues as every trick he attempts unwittingly goofs up and the kids have to use their own magic to make things right! Full of amazing magic, kid appropriate humor, and real live pets, this show is a sure fire delight for family audiences.

Equity in Schools: We PHNEED to Talk | Wednesday, July 18, 6:30 p.m.

Park Hill Neighbors for Equity in Education (PHNEE) invites you to a discussion of how to use stakeholder power to improve equity in schools.

This is the first in a series of conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion in education.

Tween Book Club | Thursday, July 19, 3:30 p.m.

Land of Stories: the Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer Activity: Scratch art bookmark

Decorate a Mask | Friday, July 20, 3 p.m.

Choose from a pig, rabbit, or human mask and give it some bling to make it your own. Ideal for ages 5-12.

Tales from an Uncertain World: What Other Assorted Disasters Can Teach Us About Climate Change, with Author Lisa Gardiner | Saturday, July 21, 2:30 p.m.

Author L.S. Gardiner will share her quest to learn how people deal with disasters and how we can draw upon our experience as we attempt to quell the climate catastrophe and be resilient. Books available for sale and signing.

Choir for the Tone Deaf | Tuesdays, July 24 & 31, 4 p.m.

Open to all vocally challenged individuals who long to overcome inhibitions or shame in order to warble in public. Learn the basics on how to sing by understanding your instrument better, breathing and how to reconnect with the joy of singing.

Animal Expeditions | Wednesday, July 25, 3 p.m.

Learn about different habitats by exploring the world and learning about animals’ food, water, shelter, and space.

Key Chain and Jewelry Making | Friday, July 27, 3 p.m.

Make key chains, backpack buddies, and jewelry with beads and other materials. Ideal for ages 5-12.

Laughter Yoga | Wednesday, July 25, 6:30 p.m.

Enjoy playful laughter exercises interspersed with gentle breathing and stretching.

During this joyful practice, you’ll strengthen the immune system, increase tolerance to pain and combat the negative effects of stress. Simple, fun and accessible to people of all fitness levels.

No Strings Attached Book Chat | Saturday, July 28, 11 a.m.

Read whatever you want and attend whenever you can. Share a recent read, an old favorite, or anything in between.

Face Nectar: Venetian Masks for Teens | Tuesday, July 31, 6 p.m.

Learn techniques to create Venetian mask effects from professional makeup artist Emiko Martinez, owner of Face Nectar Colorado. Ideal for ages 11-17.

*Up to 15 participants, so arrive early.