Posts by Joshua, Manager of Youth Services

The Jester Jim Show – 8/3, 2pm (Kids, Families)

The Jester Jim Show – 8/3, 2pm (Kids, Families)

Wednesday, 2:00 p.m.: 8/2 Children, families. Library Plaza / Rain Location: Library Auditorium. “This is not your ordinary juggling show!” Juggling, spinning iPads, beat boxing, amazing tricks and lots of laughs. With a trunk full of props and a looping machine, Jester Jim takes the stage and starts his show. Young and old will be glued to his every sound as he performs his amazing beatbox intro. Kids and adults alike will be talking about Jester Jim's wild antics for weeks. This program is made possible through support from NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health Center.
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July 25, 2022 9:05 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: comedy show for kids, events for kids in White Plains, Jester Jim, summer events in White Plains, summer programs, and white plains.

Summer Programs 2022 – Kids, Teens, Families

Summer Programs 2022 – Kids, Teens, Families

We are looking forward to welcoming the White Plains community back to the Library for a summer filled with amazing programs and events! Note: any virtual/hybrid programs use Zoom and a free, registered Zoom account is required to participate. Create a free Zoom account here: http://zoom.us/signup. Summer Reading at White Plains Public Library: 6/27 – 8/19 Summer Reading at the Library kicks off Monday, June 27 and runs through Friday, August 19. Reading activity will be logged online with READSquared. Learn all about Summer Reading 2002 and sign up here. Storytime Saturdays, 2:00 p.m.: 7/2, 8/6 Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m.: 8/2/2022,
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July 24, 2022 11:15 am | by | 1 Comment
Categories: Library News.
Tags: book discussion, children's programs, dance, music, performing arts, STEAM, STEM, summer 2022, summer programs, summer reading, teen programs, The Edge, and The Trove.

Summer Reading 2022

Summer Reading 2022

Summer Reading at the White Plains Public Library starts Monday, June 27 and will run through Friday, August 19.  Logging reading over the summer will again be online this year via the READsquared platform through either the READsquared website or the READsquared app (available here: iOS and Android).           Lectura de Verano 2022 Find information on the great lineup of programs and events for kids, teens and families in July and August here. Get Started! Register and login to READsquared. Individual youth participants can register as themselves, or parents and caregivers can register all of their
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July 17, 2022 10:00 am | by | 2 Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: activities for children in White Plains, books, children, children's books, children's events, children's programs, families, library programs, Library programs for teens, programs for kids, Read Squared, reading, storytime, summer 2022, summer programs, summer reading, summer reading game, teen events, teens, The Edge, and The Trove.

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. The characters in these stories just want to get a good night’s sleep. It’s Only Stanley by Jon Agee Library Catalog / hoopla The Wimbledon family is trying to sleep… Noises, smells, and more keep waking them up. It’s only their dog Stanley, doing increasingly strange things… but why is he doing them? Good Night Owl by Greg Pizzoli
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July 14, 2022 11:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's books, children's literature, Peculiar Picks, picture books, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Great Podcasts for Kids 6

Great Podcasts for Kids 6

It’s summer time! Perhaps you have a long car trip coming up or want to keep your kids engaged in some fun and educational content, well, podcasts are great for that! Check out these recommendations below, but be sure to also peruse the podcasts previously recommended. All of these podcasts should be available on any service you use to listen to podcasts, such as Apple Podcasts, Apple Music, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, etc. Some, however, may be available only through the link provided. If you have some additional great podcast recommendations, leave them in the comments below! Podcast Potpourri The
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July 13, 2022 10:41 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Great Podcasts, Great Podcasts for Kids, podcasts, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Celebrate African Dance, Drumming, & Storytelling

Celebrate African Dance, Drumming, & Storytelling

Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.: 7/20 Children, Teens, Families, Adults Library Plaza / Rain Location: Library Auditorium. West African dance tells a story. Chiku Awali African Dance, Arts & Culture, Inc. performs and teaches African dances. In all African cultures, dances are participatory. Chiku Awali will share the beauty and magic of these types of dances, and the audience is encouraged to join in these celebratory dances. Alongside the dancing, the griot will enchant the audience with tales of Anansi the Spider. Chiku Awali is a combination of Swahili and Ibo that means charterer and joy. Thus, the name represents the joy
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July 2, 2022 9:30 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: African Dance, Chiku Awali, dance, dance in white plains, music, music in White Plains, storytelling, and summer programs.

Pirate School

Pirate School

Tuesday, 2:00 p.m.: 7/19 Grades K-6. Library Auditorium. Ahoy me hearties! America's premiere swashbuckling family variety act is a madcap school for ‘good pirates.' Featuring slapstick, magic, puppetry, bubble-play and cartoon-like sound effects, Pirate School allows kids to live out their dreams of seafaring adventure. Come in your best pirate garb!   This program is made possible through support from NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health Center.
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June 30, 2022 9:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: library programs, magic show, pirates, programs for grades 1-6, programs for kids, puppet show, and summer reading.

FIESTA! with Flor Bromley

FIESTA! with Flor Bromley

Thursday, 2:00 p.m.: 7/7 Children, Families Library Plaza / Rain Location: Library Auditorium. FIESTA! is a multicultural musical celebration! Kids and families will join in the fun as they learn about different musical genres through dance, storytelling and songs, traveling with Flor Bromley to the countries where the rhythms were born. This is not your typical children’s concert, it’s a whole family fiesta! This program is made possible through support from NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health Center.
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June 23, 2022 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Activities for children in Westchester, activities for children in White Plains, children, children's events, children's programs, dance, events in the Trove, Flor Bromley, music, and trove events.

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. No real theme today, just a selection of funny Peculiar Picks! What Animals Really Like by Fiona Robins Library Catalog / hoopla This zany picture book features a cacophonous animal chorus that fails to live up to its conductor’s expectations when the animals refuse to perform the parts expected of them, instead demonstrating what they really like to do.
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June 9, 2022 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's books, children's literature, dragons, Peculiar Picks, picture books, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Tiny Tales: I Love All of Me

Tiny Tales: I Love All of Me

Tiny Tales are short “bite-sized” song and story videos. Watch one for a short early literacy break, or a few for a whole storytime! You can find our entire collection of Tiny Tales videos right here! Today’s video features Trove librarian Caroline presenting I Love All of Me by Lorie Ann Grover, illustrated by Carolina Búzio. Tiny Tales are made possible with support from the White Plains Library Foundation.
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June 7, 2022 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: library storytime recording, library storytime video, online library storytime, storytime, The Trove, Tiny Tales, video, videos, virtual library storytime, westchester libraries, westchester library storytime, white plains library, and white plains new york.

Navigating by the Stars

Navigating by the Stars

From April 1st through June 30th, the Harriet Tubman – Journey to Freedom sculpture by Wesley Wofford will be on display in Renaissance Plaza in downtown White Plains. In conjunction with this historic visit by the sculpture, the Library and many other community partners organized events related to Harriet Tubman, the Underground Railroad, and more. Find the full listing of the community-wide programs and events here. Navigating by the Stars Tuesday, May 17th, 6:00 p.m. (virtual) Grades 4+, Teens, Adults Have you ever wondered how ancient people told time? Or traveled from point A to point B without a smartphone
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May 17, 2022 9:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events and Library News.
Tags: adults, all ages, Black History, children's events, edge events, events, events for families in White Plains, events for kids in White Plains, families, Harriet Tubman, Harriet Tubman sculpture, library events, live music, Observances and Celebrations, STEAM, STEAM activities, STEM, teens, trove events, White Plains events, and White Plains Harriet Tubman Events.

Roots of Black Music in America

Roots of Black Music in America

Wednesday, June 1st, 7:00 p.m. (virtual) Children, Teens, Families, Adults Note: All of our youth-focused virtual programs require a registered Zoom account to attend. Sign up for a free Zoom account here: http://zoom.us/signup. Music is a language that students of any age can understand and appreciate. It connects us, elevates our awareness, and deepens our learning beyond reading the words of a textbook. Audiences will sing, dance, use percussion, and practice call and response as they journey back in time to learn about and experience the music of the most influential Black musicians in American history. Join musician, producer, arts
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May 15, 2022 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: adults, all ages, Black History, children's events, edge events, events, events for families in White Plains, events for kids in White Plains, families, Harriet Tubman, Harriet Tubman sculpture, library events, live music, Observances and Celebrations, performances, teens, theater, trove events, White Plains events, and White Plains Harriet Tubman Events.

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. I loved The Addams Family as a kid, the original TV show and the 90s movies (ok, I admit, I still love them now). Just the mention of The Addams Family also immediately brings to mind the original show’s infectious theme song: “dada duh dum snap snap dada duh dum snap snap they’re creepy and they’re kooky, The Addams
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May 12, 2022 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Addams family, children's books, children's literature, Peculiar Picks, picture books, Spooktober, staff picks, staff recommendations, and the addams family.

Tiny Tales: Snappy Little Farmyard

Tiny Tales: Snappy Little Farmyard

Tiny Tales are short “bite-sized” song and story videos. Watch one for a short early literacy break, or a few for a whole storytime! You can find our entire collection of Tiny Tales videos right here! Today’s video features Trove librarian Tata presenting “Snappy Little Farmyard” Tiny Tales are made possible with support from the White Plains Library Foundation.
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May 3, 2022 9:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: library storytime recording, library storytime video, online library storytime, storytime, The Trove, Tiny Tales, video, videos, virtual library storytime, westchester libraries, westchester library storytime, white plains library, and white plains new york.

Chinese Culture & Language Classes

Chinese Culture & Language Classes

Thursdays, May 5th–June 2nd, 3:30 p.m. (virtual) Ages 5-15. Registration required. Space is limited. Registration is for all FIVE sessions Thursdays, 5/5-6/2. You must provide an email address when registering in order to receive the program link. Register here beginning April 14. Youth ages 5-15 are invited to take part in a five-part series of classes to explore Chinese culture in tandem with Chinese language learning. By cultivating enthusiasm for authentic Chinese culture, the programs teach them to: understand food culture, connect with Chinese history, appreciate Chinese traditions and holidays, and parse meaning from ever-important Chinese idioms. Through theme-based activities,
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May 2, 2022 8:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Classes, Events, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: children's programs, Chinese culture, chinese language, culture, language classes, language learning, mandarin, mandarin classes, and teen programs.

Earth Day 2022 Reads

Earth Day 2022 Reads

Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22nd. Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970 and it is now celebrated annually in over 193 countries as a way to show support for environmental protection. Below find an assortment of recently published books with stories, activities and information to celebrate and support our planet. You can find even more activities, books and resources for celebrating Earth Day from the Library here and pick up an Earth Day coloring sheet in the Trove at the Library starting April 22nd! Also, check out Lauren’s recent post on parenting titles for outdoor learning and
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April 20, 2022 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: book recommendations, books for children, children's books, Earth Day, Earth Day Books, nature books, Observances and Celebrations, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Let’s Draw Superheroes!

Let’s Draw Superheroes!

Thursdays, April 28th, 6:00 p.m. (virtual) Grades 3+, teens, families. Join the virtual program here. Note: a free, registered Zoom account is required to join our youth-focused virtual programs. Sign up for a Zoom account is free and easy at http://zoom.us/signup. April 28th is National Superhero Day! Celebrate by joining award-winning cartoonist Rick Stromoski virtually at 6:00 p.m. to learn how to draw some hilarious superheroes! Rick has offered some stellar cartooning workshops for the Library over the past year and all participants had a great time and produced some seriously amazing artwork! About Rick Stromoski Rick Stromoski's illustrations and
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April 20, 2022 9:30 am | by | 1 Comment
Categories: Events, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: art workshop, cartoons, children's programs, comics, drawing, drawing workshop for children, drawing workshop for kids in Westchester, drawing workshop for teens, learn to draw, programs for kids, Rick Stromoski, teen programs, and trove events.

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. While there are many books about dragons in the Library, can you imagine an actual dragon in the Library? So big. Stomping around. Eating things. Not to mention breathing fire around all the flammable books!  Here are two of my favorite books about dragons in libraries. Do Not Bring Your Dragon to the Library by Julie Gassman, illustrated by
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April 14, 2022 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's books, children's literature, dragons, Peculiar Picks, picture books, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Tiny Tales: Five Little Flowers

Tiny Tales: Five Little Flowers

Tiny Tales are short “bite-sized” song and story videos. Watch one for a short early literacy break, or a few for a whole storytime! You can find our entire collection of Tiny Tales videos right here! Today’s video features Trove librarian Raquel presenting “Five Little Flowers” Tiny Tales are made possible with support from the White Plains Library Foundation.
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April 5, 2022 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: library storytime recording, library storytime video, online library storytime, storytime, The Trove, Tiny Tales, video, videos, virtual library storytime, westchester libraries, westchester library storytime, white plains library, and white plains new york.

April Break Week Programs

April Break Week Programs

Some great events during the week of April school break, 4/11-4/14. Some of these programs require pre-registration, so be sure to check the “more info” or our online calendar. Note: The Library will be closed Friday, April 15 and Sunday, April 17. A free registered Zoom account is required to access the Library’s virtual youth programs. Get a Zoom account here. For Younger Kids and Families Move & Groove with Miss Jolie Monday, April 11th, 11:00 a.m. (virtual) Join the virtual program here. Children, Toddlers, PreK-Grade 2, Families Miss Jolie's Music & Movement Class infuses learning and movement with music,
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March 31, 2022 11:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: dance, dancing, digital technology, events for kids, events for teens, gaming, music, programs for kids, Spring Break, spring break 2022, STEAM, STEAM events, and STEAM learning.