Posts by Joshua, Manager of Youth Services

Performance: Illusionist Leon Etienne

Performance: Illusionist Leon Etienne

The Library is excited to announce a performance by Illusionist Leon Etienne on July 22 at 6:30 p.m.! You’ve seen Leon Etienne on NBC’s America’s Got Talent, he fooled Penn & Teller on the CW’s Penn & Teller: Fool Us! and blew Jimmy Fallon’s mind on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and in the past few weeks on CW’s Masters of Illusion! Leon has performed at Radio City Music Hall, headlined in Las Vegas, and blown minds at dozens of legendary venues around the globe. Find out more about Illusionist Leon Etienne at www.magicrocks.com. Join us as Leon presents a
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July 13, 2020 10:02 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: children, children's events, edge events, events, families, family events, Foundation, Leon Etienne, performances, summer programs, teen events, The Trove, and trove events.

Family Fun Friday – July 17: Fiesta with Flor

Family Fun Friday – July 17: Fiesta with Flor

Family Fun Fridays continues this coming Friday, July 17, with a fantastic concert from Flor Bromley! Fiesta With Flor is an invitation to dance around the world. Come experience our Latin music fusion party as we travel (virtually this time) to the places where the rhythms were born. Children will learn about different types of music through interactive participation and an engaging performance. This is not your typical children’s concert, it’s a whole family fiesta! To attend the show at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 17, click here to get the Zoom link! Family Fun Fridays is supported by the
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July 13, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: Family Fun Fridays, Flor Bromley, trove events, and White Plains Library Foundation.

Peculiar Picks

Peculiar Picks

Peculiar Picks are a selection of odd, funny, interesting, curious, moving, irreverent, and otherwise wonderfully awesome, but perhaps not well known, reads. Peculiar Picks are books for younger readers and their grown-ups, handpicked by the Library's Youth Services Manager, Joshua Carlson. Baby Monkey, Private Eye by Brian Selznick and David Serlin Also available as an eBook on Overdrive. Brian Selznick is very well-known for The Invention of Hugo Cabret, which was a National Book Award Finalist and winner of the 2008 Caldecott Medal. Baby Monkey, Private Eye, however, is both an Amazon and Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year,
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July 2, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: book recommendations, Brian Selznick, children's books, Peculiar Picks, picture books, and staff picks.

Family Fun Friday – July 10: Turtle Dance Music

Family Fun Friday – July 10: Turtle Dance Music

The Library kicks off our Family Fun Fridays program series on July 10th at 11:00 a.m. with a virtual concert from Turtle Dance Music! Check out this awesome 10-minute mini-concert to prepare for next week's livestream performance: Everyone bring your golden ticket a.k.a. your library card! The Virtual Concert: Imagine Your Story is Turtle Dance Music’s signature music, bubble and comedy show featuring bubbles, flying books, dancing unicorns, and songs about autism awareness and acceptance! To attend the show at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 10th, click here to get the Zoom link!
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June 29, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's events, family events, Family Fun Fridays, performances, summer programs, The Trove, trove events, and Turtle Dance Music.

Summer Programs and Events for Kids, Teens, and Families

Summer Programs and Events for Kids, Teens, and Families

While we might not be able to hold them in the Library, that doesn’t mean we’re not offering a lot of great programs in July and August! For full details on each program, and to get Zoom links, visit our Online Calendar. Of course, we also have our annual Summer Reading Game to take part in, and tons of fantastic reading recommendations in our Reading Lists! Family Fun Fridays – Fridays, July 10-August 14, 11:00 a.m. A great performance for children and families every Friday. More information here. Illusionist Leon Etienne – Wednesday, July 22, 6:30 p.m. World-class magician Leon
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June 18, 2020 11:30 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Events, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: children's events, Edge, edge events, events, family events, Family Fun Fridays, kids, performances, STEAM, STEAM Camps, STEM, storytime, summer programs, summer reading, summer reading game, teen events, teens, trove, and trove events.

ConEd STEAM Camps: Gr. 4-6

ConEd STEAM Camps: Gr. 4-6

STEAM Camps for Grades 4-6 in August Thanks to the generous support of the White Plains Library Foundation and Con Edison, the Library is offering two free week-long virtual STEAM Camps in August. These camps will be taught by instructors from STEM Alliance Larchmont-Mamaroneck. Space is limited, and registration for the full week is required. Registration is on the first date of each camp in the Online Calendar starting July 6. To register, click the title of the camp(s) you're interested in. “STEM Superheroes” Camp – August 3-6, 1:00-2:30 p.m. Youth in grades 4-6 will learn about the historic inventors
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June 18, 2020 10:00 am | by | 2 Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Con Edison, edge events, STEAM, STEAM activities, STEAM at home, STEAM Camp, STEAM Camps, STEM, STEM Camp, summer programs, teen events, teen programs, and The Edge.

Let’s Dance! – Reading and Dance Party

Let’s Dance! – Reading and Dance Party

Join us on Thursday, June 11 at 2:00 p.m. for a fun music and dancing author program! For ages 2-7 and their families. Author Valerie Bolling virtually visits and reads from her musical, dance-filled, fun book for younger kids, Let’s Dance! Let’s Dance! is a rhythmic showcase of dances from around the world featuring children of diverse backgrounds and abilities tapping, spinning and boogying away! The reading will be followed by Q&A time, then a fun dance party! Valerie Bolling has been an educator for over 25 years and a writer since age 4. She is a graduate of Tufts
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June 4, 2020 11:35 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: author visit and events.

Storybook Dance Videos from Steffi Nossen

Storybook Dance Videos from Steffi Nossen

We’re very excited to announce that Steffi Nossen School of Dance, which has been offering the wonderful Storybook Dancing programs in the Trove for quite some time, is sharing a video program with the Library for our patrons each month! The first video features the story Mr. Tiger Goes Wild with Ms. Kristina.    
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May 26, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: dance, Steffi Nossen School of Dance, and videos.

May-June Family Wellness

May-June Family Wellness

In addition to our ongoing wellness programs for adults, the Library is happy to start offering some wellness programs for children, teens and families together. To attend a program, access Zoom with the link for the specific date you wish to attend below. Parent-Child Mindfulness and Meditation – Tuesday, May 26, 3:30 p.m. Learn to reduce stress, lessen anxiety and insomnia, stay calmer, focus better, and feel more resilient. Direct, practical and easy techniques and strategies that you can use anywhere presented by Daniel Lauter, a Wellness Educator, Mindfulness Instructor, and Integrative Sound Specialist. This program, supported by the White
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May 20, 2020 3:05 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Wellness and Wellness programs.

Author Event: Astronomer Dr. Julia Kregenow

Author Event: Astronomer Dr. Julia Kregenow

Dr. Julia Kregenow is an astronomer and Associate Teaching Professor at Penn State University. She will be presenting two programs in May for families related to children’s books she has written and her study of astronomy. You can borrow some of Dr. Kregenow’s books in eBook format from the Library through OverDrive/Libby and Hoopla. Thursday, May 21, 2:00 p.m. Register in advance here. Dr. Kregenow will read from her book Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, I Know Exactly What You Are and lead a family sing-a-long for mixed age groups, singing several different verses from her book and giving additional scientific
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May 15, 2020 9:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Events, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: astronomy, author event, and author visit.

Explore NYC from Home

Explore NYC from Home

One of the things I’ve been looking forward to, now that my daughter is older and doesn’t have a daytime nap, is exploring New York City with her. We were planning on starting this spring doing just that – taking the Metro North and having Big Apple Adventures. However, those plans are a bit on hold. Luckily, we live in a time where technology makes many things possible, and while it does not replace actually being somewhere, virtual tours and experiences are aplenty. NYC is filled with museums, art galleries and wonderful sites. Just because you’re safe at home, doesn’t
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May 13, 2020 2:42 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: NYC, staff recommendations, and virtual tour.

STEAM at Home: Trove Kinetic Sculpture

STEAM at Home: Trove Kinetic Sculpture

I know there are a lot of people out there who are big fans of the kinetic sculpture in the Trove. The sculpture was created by Jeffrey Zachmann, a kinetic sculptor from Minnesota. Interested in knowing more about the creator of the Trove’s kinetic sculpture? Watch this interview where Mr. Zachmann discusses his work. At the end of each week’s What’s the Story? Safe At Home newsletter, I’ve been sharing videos of a variety of really cool kinetic sculptures and marble runs as an homage to the kinetic sculpture in the Trove. Those videos I have shared so far have
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May 6, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Jeffrey Zachmann, STEAM, STEAM activities, STEAM at home, STEM, and Trove Kinetic Sculpture.

Free Comic Book Day

Free Comic Book Day

While Free Comic Book Day (usually celebrated on the first Saturday of May each year) has been postponed due to the virus, and the Library is unable to host our usual big celebration with fun activities and comics to give away thanks to Aw Yeah! Comics in Harrison, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy some comics at home! To get your comics fix, I do encourage you to check in with your local comic book shops (Find yours here!). Many are doing great virtual events, offering deals on comics to get physical books to you at home by pulling titles
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April 30, 2020 1:26 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: comics, Free Comic Book Day, graphic novels, and Observances and Celebrations.

Hoopla Staff Picks: Grown Up Comics

Hoopla Staff Picks: Grown Up Comics

Possibly our most dynamic digital resource, Hoopla includes a variety of different formats from books to movies and music. In order to highlight some of these, we've gathered staff recommendations of just a few formats you can stream and download with your library card. Below are some graphic novel recommendations from Manager of Youth Services, Josh Carlson. These titles are all phenomenal, but are definitely not for kids. Did you just binge watch The Boys, Locke and Key, The Witcher, or Watchmen? These comics are where those, and other great shows, came from: The Witcher Locke and Key The Umbrella
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April 30, 2020 12:54 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: comics, comics for adults, Free Comic Book Day, graphic novels, hoopla, Observances and Celebrations, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

May the Fourth Be With You!

May the Fourth Be With You!

May 4 is Star Wars Day! Youth Services librarians have a variety of great things to celebrate. Star Wars kids eBooks and music Star Wars YA eBooks May the Fourth Be With You – Josh’s Picks STEAM at Home: Origami Yoda STEAM at Home: Pool Noodle Lightsabers STEAM at Home: Toilet Paper Roll Star Wars Characters For more Star Wars fun, check out: Star Wars Uncut – Fans were given 15 second segments from the films and created their own remixed versions of Episode IV: A New Hope and Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back Star Wars Kids Activities from
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April 29, 2020 1:23 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: eBooks, May the 4th Be With You, May the Fourth Be With You, Observances and Celebrations, staff recommendations, Star Wars, and STEAM.

May the Fourth Be With You: Josh’s Picks

May the Fourth Be With You: Josh’s Picks

Here’s a list of interesting and different Star Wars related content to help you celebrate May the Fourth! Plastic Galaxy – The Story of Star Wars Toys (movie on Hoopla) Star Wars toys helped to redefine toys and merchandising forever. Learn more about their origins, collectability and more in this interesting documentary. Are You Scared, Darth Vader? By Adam Rex (available on Hoopla, Overdrive, and Libby) This hilarious picture book is fun for kids, but possibly even more fun for their Star Wars fan parents. Music Inspired by Star Wars and Other Galactic Funk by Mecco (music on Hoopla) A
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April 29, 2020 10:36 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: digital materials, eBooks, May the 4th Be With You, May the Fourth Be With You, Observances and Celebrations, staff recommendations, and Star Wars.

STEAM at Home: DIY Lightsabers

STEAM at Home: DIY Lightsabers

May the Fourth Be With You! In this fun project, we will make some DIY Lightsabers, safe for bopping each other with and having duels (of the fates)! Just don’t bop too hard. Materials Needed Pool noodles or long paper tubes (such as wrapping paper tubes or a few paper towel tubes taped together) Duct tape Sharpie/indelible markers Scissors or a utility knife For paper tube lightsabers, you may also want: paint, construction paper, scotch tape and glue in order to make your lightsaber blade have a color My daughter and I made our two lightsabers from one pool noodle
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April 29, 2020 9:36 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: May the 4th Be With You, May the Fourth Be With You, Observances and Celebrations, Star Wars, STEAM activities, and STEAM at home.

eBooks to Help Children Understand COVID-19

eBooks to Help Children Understand COVID-19

This crisis is difficult for everyone to comprehend. Children, especially, may be having a hard time understanding what is going on – what the virus is, why we are isolating at home, and how to deal with their anxieties and fears. Below are some free downloadable ebooks that talk about what the pandemic is and responses to it. Rainbows in Windows – A Book about Big Imaginations, Big Feelings, and Sheltering in Place During a Pandemic. Link also includes a video of Donald Sutherland reading the book. Coronavirus: A Book for Children St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Learn About Coronavirus
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April 28, 2020 10:29 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, COVID-19, eNewsletter, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's literature, coronavirus, covid-19, and eBooks.

Sora Access to Library eBooks

Sora Access to Library eBooks

Did you know that White Plains students can access White Plains Library ebooks via their school Sora account? They can thanks to a new partnership between the Westchester Library System and Southern Westchester BOCES. All your student needs to do this is enter their school ID/credentials in the Sora app they already have, and voila! You can borrow age appropriate content from the White Plains Public Library’s eBook collection. In order to search the Library’s collection of eBooks, you simply need to add the Library to your Sora account. Add Westchester Library System as a library, if it is not automatically
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April 23, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: eBooks, Sora, and white plains schools.

Celebrate Earth Day

Celebrate Earth Day

Today is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day! Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970 and it is now celebrated annually on April 22 in over 193 countries as a way to show support for environmental protection. You can celebrate at home with: A project for adults and kids learning how to sustainably grow your own vegetables from scraps. Checking out some of Trove Librarian Raquel’s awesome recommendations for Earth Day eBooks on Hoopla or Overdrive/Libby! Taking part in Which Craft? Wednesday: Earth Day edition. Join Edge Librarian Erik to learn how to upcycle used snack bags into a decorative
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April 22, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Earth Day, Observances and Celebrations, and STEAM activities.