Past Events

Dandelion Bookshop

Oct21

PastBook ClubLiterary FictionOak Park, IL

Dandelion Book Club

7:00 PM • Wednesday, October 21, 2026Dandelion BookshopFree

Join us as we discuss Rachel Hochhauser’s Lady Tremaine, a breathtaking reimagining of Cinderella, as told through the eyes of its iconic “evil” stepmother, revealing a propulsive love story about the lengths a mother will go to for her children. When twice-widowed Lady Tremaine discovers a sordid secret hidden in the depths of the royal family, she must choose between the security she craves and the wellbeing of the stepdaughter who has rebuffed her at every turn.

Oct17

PastCommunity EventOak Park, IL

Fall Family Fun in the Hemingway District

10:00 AM • Saturday, October 17, 2026Dandelion BookshopFree

Costumes, treats and plenty of fall fun are coming to the Hemingway District! Bring the whole family to Oak Park Avenue for a festive morning filled with activities for little ones, including a costume parade through Scoville Park and complimentary treats and special activities at participating Hemingway District businesses.

Oct14

PastBook ClubMiddle GradeOak Park, IL

SCBWI Book Club

7:00 PM • Wednesday, October 14, 2026Dandelion BookshopFree

Children’s author Mac Barnett sparked a lively debate about the current state of kidlit with his recent publication for adults, Make Believe. We invite you to compare this book with Katherine Rundell’s Why You Should Read Children's Books, Even Though You Are So Old and Wise, a celebration of the joys and vital importance of children’s literature. Both titles are slim, less than 200 pages in total, and are must-reads for those interested in writing for kids. Presented in collaboration with the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Membership is not required to attend--all are welcome!

Oct11

PastWritingOak Park, IL

Bookstore Write-In

4:00 PM • Sunday, October 11, 2026Dandelion BookshopFree

There’s something inspiring about writing among other writers--and while surrounded by books! Join us for an after-hours write-in at the bookshop. There will be time to chat for a bit at the start, followed by quiet writing with an optional prompt in case you need something to get your pen moving. Bring your laptop or notebook and we’ll make progress on our writing projects together.

Oct11

PastAuthor EventOak Park, IL

Halloween Story Time and Craft with Janet Nolan and Patricia Toht

2:00 PM • Sunday, October 11, 2026Dandelion BookshopFree

Halloween is almost here! Are you ready? Join us for a spooky and sweet story time with local authors Janet Nolan and Patricia Toht. Settle in for their stories, Get Ready for Halloween and Pick a Pumpkin, then make a festive pumpkin craft to take home.

Oct11

PastCommunity EventOak Park, IL

Sunday Morning Serenade

10:30 AM • Sunday, October 11, 2026Dandelion BookshopFree

Enjoy live harp music while you browse the bookshelves on a Sunday morning. Local harpist Avielle Ling will play a selection of music in preparation for an upcoming performance at Carnegie Hall.

Oct10

PastBook FairOak Park, IL

Local Authors Book Fair

10:30 AM • Saturday, October 10, 2026Oak Park Public Library, Main Branch, Veterans RoomFree

Discover your next great read and connect with the creative voices in our community. 30 local authors will gather to share their work across a wide variety of genres, including fantasy, history, elder studies, romance, memoir, and poetry. Chat directly with writers about their craft and inspiration while supporting local literary talent. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Presented in collaboration with Erie Street Press.

Oct4

PastBook ClubRomantasyOak Park, IL

The Romantasy Society Book Club

5:00 PM • Sunday, October 4, 2026Dandelion BookshopFree

Do you crave impossible worlds, morally gray characters, dangerous magic, and stories that ruin your sleep schedule? The Romantasy Society is a book club for readers who disappear into books and forget the real world exists. Join us as we discuss Alchemised by SenLinYu. A woman with missing memories fights to survive a war-torn world of necromancy and alchemy—and the man tasked with unearthing the deepest secrets of her past.

Oct4

PastAuthor EventOak Park, IL

J Is for Justice! Story Time

11:00 AM • Sunday, October 4, 2026Dandelion BookshopFree

Celebrate the freedom to read during Banned Books Week with a story time led by Chicago author Veronica I. Arreola. Veronica will read her book J Is for Justice!: An Activism Alphabet, which PEN America lists among the books most banned in school districts across the United States.

Oct2

PastYogaOak Park, IL

Storybook Yoga - Autumn Class 4

10:30 AM • Friday, October 2, 2026Dandelion Bookshop$22

Join us for a fall mini-session of storybook yoga. Flow through a sequence of fun and creative poses that embody the story, bringing literature to life. This class is designed for early childhood (0-5 years) and their grown ups to combine movement, play, and reading. $22 per class or $80 for four-class semester.

Sep30

PastAuthor EventPoetryOak Park, IL

Poetry Reading with Erika Meitner and P. Scott Cunningham

7:00 PM • Wednesday, September 30, 2026Dandelion BookshopFree

Join us as we celebrate the release of award-winning poet Erika Meitner's latest collection, Assembled Audience. This fervant, frank collection explores what it means to be human in an increasingly precarious world. The evening will also feature readings by acclaimed poet P. Scott Cunningham, author of Self-Portrait as the “I” in Florida. We invite you to stay after the readings to meet the authors and discuss their work.

Sep25

PastYogaOak Park, IL

Storybook Yoga - Autumn Class 3

10:30 AM • Friday, September 25, 2026Dandelion Bookshop$22

Join us for a fall mini-session of storybook yoga. Flow through a sequence of fun and creative poses that embody the story, bringing literature to life. This class is designed for early childhood (0-5 years) and their grown ups to combine movement, play, and reading. $22 per class or $80 for four-class semester.

Sep18

PastYogaOak Park, IL

Storybook Yoga - Autumn Class 2

10:30 AM • Friday, September 18, 2026Dandelion Bookshop$22

Join us for a fall mini-session of storybook yoga. Flow through a sequence of fun and creative poses that embody the story, bringing literature to life. This class is designed for early childhood (0-5 years) and their grown ups to combine movement, play, and reading. $22 per class or $80 for four-class semester.

Sep16

PastBook ClubOak Park, IL

Dandelion Book Club

7:00 PM • Wednesday, September 16, 2026Dandelion BookshopFree

Join us as we discuss Porcupines by Fran Fabriczki. Moving between Budapest before the fall of the Berlin Wall; Washington, DC, in the tense years of the Cold War; and the bright sunshine of early aughts Los Angeles, Porcupines is an irresistible novel about mothers and daughters, secrecy and loneliness, belonging and reinvention—and what happens when the truth can’t be held back any longer.

Sep13

PastWritingOak Park, IL

Bookstore Write-In

4:00 PM • Sunday, September 13, 2026Dandelion BookshopFree

There’s something inspiring about writing among other writers--and while surrounded by books! Join us for an after-hours write-in at the bookshop. There will be time to chat for a bit at the start, followed by quiet writing with an optional prompt in case you need something to get your pen moving. Bring your laptop or notebook and we’ll make progress on our writing projects together.

Sep12

PastCommunity EventOak Park, IL

A Day With Frog and Toad

12:00 PM • Saturday, September 12, 2026Dandelion BookshopFree

Join us for a cozy autumn afternoon as we welcome the changing leaves, crisp air, and cooler days with everyone’s favorite best friends, Frog and Toad! We’ll read classic Frog and Toad tales and enjoy activities and treats inspired by their stories.

Sep11

PastYogaOak Park, IL

Storybook Yoga - Autumn Class 1

Sep 11 – Sep 12Dandelion Bookshop$22

Join us for a fall mini-session of storybook yoga. Flow through a sequence of fun and creative poses that embody the story, bringing literature to life. This class is designed for early childhood (0-5 years) and their grown ups to combine movement, play, and reading. $22 per class or $80 for four-class semester.

Sep6

PastBook ClubRomantasyOak Park, IL

The Romantasy Society Book Club

5:00 PM • Sunday, September 6, 2026Dandelion BookshopFree

Introducing The Romantasy Society, a new book club for readers who disappear into books and forget the real world exists. Do you crave impossible worlds, morally gray characters, dangerous magic, and stories that ruin your sleep schedule? Join us as we kick off with our very first meeting, where we’ll get to know each other and select our first book.

Jun27

PastAuthor EventYoung AdultOak Park, IL

All's Fair in Love and Buried Feelings: A Conversation with YA Author Kit Rosewater

7:00 PM • Saturday, June 27, 2026Dandelion BookshopFree

Come celebrate Pride with award-winning, bestselling authors Kit Rosewater and Ann Zhao as they discuss Kit’s recent and upcoming queer YA novels–All’s Fair in Love and Field Hockey and Buried Feelings–and their role in larger canon of queer YA literature.

May31

PastSilent ReadingMemoirOak Park, IL

Bookstore Write-In

4:00 PM • Sunday, May 31, 2026Dandelion BookshopFree

There’s something inspiring about writing among other writers – and while surrounded by books! Join us for an after-hours write-in at the bookshop. There will be time to chat for a bit at the start, followed by quiet writing with an optional prompt in case you need something to get your pen moving. Bring your laptop or notebook and we’ll make progress on our writing projects together.

May20

PastBook ClubFictionOak Park, IL

Dandelion Book Club

7:00 PM • Wednesday, May 20, 2026Dandelion BookshopFree

Join us as we discuss More Than Enough by Anna Quindlen. A woman confronts the surprising results of an ancestry test and begins to question the meaning of family and friendship in this wise, tender novel teeming with life. Written with Anna Quindlen’s trademark warmth, humor, and insight into the power of love and hope, More Than Enough explores how we find ourselves again and again through the relationships that define us.

May13

PastArtNon-FictionOak Park, IL

Spring Writing Inspiration

7:00 PM • Wednesday, May 13, 2026Dandelion BookshopFree

Put some Spring energy into your stories with our generative writing workshop! We’ll seek inspiration and use story prompts in a variety of forms, designed to call to your imagination. Come with your notebook and pen prepared for some light-hearted experiments! You do not have to be a member of SCBWI to attend—all are welcome!

May7

PastWorkshopMemoirOak Park, IL

Dandelion Journaling Club

6:00 PM • Thursday, May 7, 2026Dandelion BookshopFree

Join us for a monthly journaling gathering inspired by The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad. This is a writing-forward experience. You’ll be guided through several journaling prompts, spend extended time writing quietly together, and have optional moments to share reflections. There’s no pressure to share and no expectation to be a “writer.” Suleika describes a journaling club as “a gathering that’s equal parts tender and mischievous… to write together. To share—or not share. To surprise yourself.