Posts by Ashley, Children's Librarian

July & August Tabletop Games

July & August Tabletop Games

Join librarians Ashley and Erik from the Trove and the Edge to play fun virtual table top games this summer! We use the platform boardgamearena.com to play the games while we have a conversation on Zoom. Kids and teens that haven’t come to the program before will need to create a free account on boardgamearena.com. Note: Boardgamearena.com does have a for-pay premium service. Please take care when creating your account to not incur any unwanted charges. On the day and time of each program, simply login to your boardgamesarena.com account and join us on Zoom using the links for the
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June 18, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: board games, children's events, edge events, event, summer programs, tabletop games, teen events, teen programs, The Edge, and trove events.

Great Graphic Novels for Kids

Great Graphic Novels for Kids

What’s not to love when it comes to graphic novels? They’re a ton of fun and I’ve noticed that the majority of kids absolutely adore reading them! From Dog Man by Dav Pilkey to Smile by Raina Telgemeier, I am constantly being asked if we have some of the most popular graphic novels currently in the library. The kids get this look of pure joy when they find out that we do! Our graphic novel section is a well loved area and I enjoy recommending various books to eager readers. Without further ado, enjoy some of these great graphic novel
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June 9, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: graphic novels, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Summer Virtual Book Bunch Programs

Summer Virtual Book Bunch Programs

We’re excited to announce some fun virtual book discussion programs for children throughout the summer. We’re psyched to discuss these books and get some insight about them as a few of their authors join our discussions! In June, we will be reading Our Only May Amelia by Jennifer L. Holm. Kids of any age who have read the book are welcome to join us but we recommend this title for those in 3rd through 7th grade. Unlimited eBook copies are available via Hoopla, but it's also available as an eBook on OverDrive and Libby. This program will take place on
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June 4, 2020 11:31 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books and Library News.
Tags: author visit, book bunch, book club, book discussion, kids book club, and virtual book bunch.

Pride Month: Chapter Books

Pride Month: Chapter Books

White Plains is a wonderfully diverse community! Parents, children and teens have expressed an interest in titles that reflect the diversity in the community, and Ashley, Kathlyn, and Raquel's “Dive Into Diversity” column will spotlight noteworthy children's and teen titles that are inclusive, diverse and multicultural to fulfill that interest. Ashley's portion is aimed at readers in grades 4-6. June is Pride Month! Here are some recommendations of chapter books to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community! The Best at It by Maulik Pancholy For children in grades 3-7. Hoopla: Audio OverDrive: Audio and eBook Rahul Kapoor and his best friend Chelsea
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May 28, 2020 12:58 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: chapter books, Observances and Celebrations, Pride Month, and staff recommendations.

Amazing Audiobooks for Kids

Amazing Audiobooks for Kids

I love audiobooks and I enjoy having the eBook or print version of the story in front of me while listening to the audio. It just works for me! I find that my mind occasionally wanders if I’m only listening to the audio and having the eBook or print version of it helps me to focus. I also have noticed that I tend to read too quickly if I’m just reading an eBook or print version. Whether you’re a fan of audiobooks or have never tried them before, I hope you’ll give a listen to my audiobook recommendations that you
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May 21, 2020 9:21 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: audiobooks, children's books, children's literature, digital audiobooks, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Chapter Books

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Chapter Books

White Plains is a wonderfully diverse community! Parents, children and teens have expressed an interest in titles that reflect the diversity in the community, and Ashley, Kathlyn, and Raquel's “Dive Into Diversity” column will spotlight noteworthy children's and teen titles that are inclusive, diverse and multicultural to fulfill that interest. Ashley's portion is aimed at readers in grades 4-6. Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month is celebrated during the month of May. I had been wanting to read Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly for a while now. It won the Newbery Medal in 2018! It was a potential pick
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May 13, 2020 1:10 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Observances and Celebrations, and staff recommendations.

Jewish American Heritage Month: Chapter Books

Jewish American Heritage Month: Chapter Books

White Plains is a wonderfully diverse community! Parents, children, and teens have expressed an interest in titles that reflect the diversity in the community, and Ashley, Kathlyn, and Raquel's “Dive Into Diversity” column will spotlight noteworthy children's and teen titles that are inclusive, diverse and multicultural to fulfill that interest. Ashley's portion is aimed at readers in grades 4-6. May is Jewish American Heritage Month and I enjoyed reading the delightful My Basmati Bat Mitzvah by Paula J. Freedman, which Kathlyn suggested I try. Read on to find out more about why your child may have fun reading it as
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May 11, 2020 3:22 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Jewish American Heritage Month, Observances and Celebrations, and staff recommendations.

May Virtual Book Bunch Events

May Virtual Book Bunch Events

Deb and I hope y’all had fun reading and discussing Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez during our last virtual Book Bunch program. We can’t wait for our next two virtual Book Bunch events! Please feel free to bring your own snack to each program. Wednesday, May 6th from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. we will discuss Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo. Unlimited eBook copies are available via Hoopla, but it's also available as an eBook and digital audiobook on OverDrive. Kids of any age who have read the book are welcome to join us but we
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April 23, 2020 3:25 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: book bunch, book discussion, and virtual book bunch.

Arab-American Heritage Month

Arab-American Heritage Month

April is Arab-American Heritage Month! To celebrate, I invite you to read or listen to some of the following picture and chapter books on either Hoopla or OverDrive! The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story by Aya Khalil and illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan For children in kindergarten to grade 2. Hoopla: Audio OverDrive: eBook “The story highlights the role of a supportive and creative teacher and the importance of instilling acceptance in children…The story ends with a powerful poem with a compelling message of taking pride in one’s mother tongue.” –School Library Journal Yo Soy Muslim: A Father's Letter to His
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April 22, 2020 3:41 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Arab-American Heritage Month, Observances and Celebrations, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Battle of the Books Announcement

Battle of the Books Announcement

By Ashley Bressingham, Kathlyn Carroll, Deb Gaffey, and Lauren Lichtenthal. – Youth Services staff. After all the reading that we did for the children’s and teen Battle of the Books book selection process, we’re pleased to announce the official titles for the next Battle of the Books competition. While we’re not sure whether the next competition will take place in October 2020 or 2021, we’re excited to get a head start on preparing for the tournament. Grades 4-6: New Kid by Jerry Craft The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan Bob by Wendy Mass and
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April 8, 2020 3:04 pm | by | 2 Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: battle of the books.

Battle of the Books Inspired Reading List

Battle of the Books Inspired Reading List

By Ashley Bressingham and Deb Gaffey, Trove staff. Your Westchester librarians are avidly working to pick amazing books for the Battle of the Books trivia competition for the fourth to sixth grade teams! Deb and I have picked some of our favorites from the nominations and these are all available in either audio or eBook format through the Westchester Library System. Save Me a Seat by Gita Varadarajan and Sarah Weeks Hoopla: Audio Overdrive: eBook Ravi has just moved to America from India and is entering the fifth grade in the town where Joe has lived all of his life.
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April 3, 2020 11:53 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: battle of the books and book recommendations.

Virtual Book Bunch with Author!

Virtual Book Bunch with Author!

Are you ecstatic about reading and discussing Carlos Hernandez’s absolutely wonderful book Sal and Gabi Break the Universe? Prepare to be even more psyched because the author will be joining us during our virtual Book Bunch! Perhaps he’ll even give us a sneak peek of the sequel Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe, which is expected to publish on May 5th!  Virtual Book Bunch will take place on Wednesday, April 15th from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. Kids of any age who have read the book are welcome to join us but we recommend this title for those in 4th through
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April 2, 2020 2:52 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: book bunch and Carlos Hernandez.

Dive Into Diversity: Girl Power for Grades 4-6

Dive Into Diversity: Girl Power for Grades 4-6

White Plains is a wonderfully diverse community! Parents, children and teens have expressed an interest in titles that reflect the diversity in the community, and Ashley, Kathlyn, and Raquel's “Dive Into Diversity” column will spotlight noteworthy children's and teen titles that are inclusive, diverse and multicultural to fulfill that interest. Ashley's portion is aimed at readers in grades 4-6. March is Women's History Month so I’ve put together a list of some books that feature diverse strong female characters that I’ve been wanting to read! Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee (Available in eBook format on Hoopla) For children in
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March 19, 2020 9:19 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Evergreen, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's books, Dive into Diversity, juvenile fiction, Observances and Celebrations, staff picks, staff recommendations, Women's History, and womens history month.

Dive Into Diversity: Black History Month for Grades 4-6

Dive Into Diversity: Black History Month for Grades 4-6

White Plains is a wonderfully diverse community! Parents, children and teens have expressed an interest in titles that reflect the diversity in the community, and Ashley, Kathlyn, and Raquel's “Dive Into Diversity” column will spotlight noteworthy children's and teen titles that are inclusive, diverse and multicultural to fulfill that interest. Ashley's portion is aimed at readers in grades 4-6. Author and educator Zetta Elliott put together this incredible list of middle grade and young adult books published in 2019 by black authors. Below are a bunch of them that I’m especially looking forward to reading! New Kid by Jerry Craft
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February 5, 2020 9:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, and Kids.
Tags: black history month, children's books, Dive into Diversity, juvenile fiction, Observances and Celebrations, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Fantastic Nonfiction for Fourth to Sixth Graders

Fantastic Nonfiction for Fourth to Sixth Graders

There are so many amazing books published for fourth to sixth graders. Each month in Ashley's column “So You Want Your Fourth to Sixth Grader to Read Fantastic Books,” recommendations of great stories will be given to caregivers that will have their kids begging to visit the library to check out more awesome books! If you'd like to place this book on hold, simply click on the title or cover. Freaking Fantastic Nonfiction: Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of “The Children's Ship” by Deborah Heiligman I’m surprised I picked a nonfiction book to start off
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January 23, 2020 9:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Evergreen, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: book review, Deborah Heiligman, SS City of Benares, and staff book review.