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Native American Stories

Native American Stories

In November we honor the peoples who have lived here before European colonization. Their presence continues to be felt and seen everywhere. From teaching the pilgrims how to survive those first bitter Northeastern winters, to the underappreciated part they played on the Underground Railroad, to the Code Talkers who helped us win World War II, there is a lot about them we still do not know. As we continue to know their stories, to share their wisdom, and learn from each other, we can take a moment to enjoy the titles below. You can also visit the Smithsonian National Museum
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November 10, 2021 10:34 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's books, National Native American Heritage Month, Native American Heritage Month, November, Observances and Celebrations, picture books, and The Trove.

Introducing Our New and Improved Parenting Collection

Introducing Our New and Improved Parenting Collection

As parents, one of our most difficult responsibilities is talking to our children about certain challenging topics. Books are a fantastic way to stimulate these types of discussions and help teach our children valuable life lessons. We've recently reorganized and refreshed our parenting collection. Now, these books are even easier to find! Our parenting collection is now located near our non-fiction collection, behind our reference desk. It is divided into two sections: one with books meant for you to read as parents, and one with books for children and parents to read together. Books for parents are shelved as they
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November 9, 2021 3:39 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: books for parents, caregivers, library collection, parenting, parenting collection, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Diwali Virtual Exhibit

Diwali Virtual Exhibit

Diwali, or Dipawali, is India‘s biggest and most important holiday of the year. The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects us from spiritual darkness. This festival is as important to Hindus as the Christmas holiday is to Christians. Over the centuries, Diwali has become a national festival that's also enjoyed by non-Hindu communities. For instance, in Jainism, Diwali marks the nirvana, or spiritual awakening, of Lord Mahavira on October 15, 527 B.C.; in Sikhism, it honors the day that Guru Hargobind
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November 9, 2021 2:55 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: diwali, Observances and Celebrations, The Trove, and virtual exhibit.

Day of the Dead/Día de los Muertos Virtual Exhibit

Day of the Dead/Día de los Muertos Virtual Exhibit

The Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, is based on ancient Aztec traditions. Originally celebrated at the beginning of August, this tradition was later adopted by the Catholic Church and became el Día de los Muertos. The Day of the Dead is primarily celebrated in Mexico, Central America, and in the South West of the United States. Ever more frequently, it is celebrated in cities of the United States that have large Mexican and Central American populations. The Day of the Dead is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. These days are also known as Día de
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November 4, 2021 7:34 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Day of the Dead, Day of the Dead Virtual Exhibit, Dia de los Muertos, and Observances and Celebrations.

Tiny Tales: The Lion and the Mouse

Tiny Tales: The Lion and the Mouse

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 Ms. Tata presenting “The Lion and the Mouse” Tiny Tales are made possible with support from the White Plains Library Foundation.
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November 3, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, 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.

#BookTok Faves

#BookTok Faves

Whether you're on TikTok or not, #BookTok has undeniably influenced reading trends, especially for young adults. Between boosting sales of books by popular authors like Colleen Hoover, to increasing interest in Dark Academia, TikTok content creators have inspired many to expand both their reading tastes and TBR piles. Get a taste of what's trending on TikTok with this curated list by Marketing Librarian Kristen, and find our #BookTok Faves collection on here on OverDrive. The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake Libby & OverDrive: eBook / Audiobook A self-published TikTok sensation, Blake's The Atlas Six combines elements of classics like Donna
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November 1, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: book recommendations, books popular on TikTok, BookTok, staff picks, staff recommendations, and TikTok.

Free Online Tutoring & Homework Help

Free Online Tutoring & Homework Help

Parents, need a hand helping your child(ren) with homework? We have an amazing resource for you to use! All you need is Internet access and your library card and you have access to live, on-demand, tutors through tutor.com! You can get live help daily from 9 am to 10 pm in English or Spanish. Simply have a homework question? Ask a tutor. Need practice with your reading skills? Ask a tutor. Simply follow these directions to get started: 1. Find the Online Tutors option under the Youth section of our homepage. 2. Enter the resource using the link provided. Then
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October 27, 2021 2:20 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: homework help, library resources, online tutor, online tutoring, practice tests, tutor.com, and tutors.

Dive into Diversity: YA Fantasy

Dive into Diversity: YA Fantasy

In 2021, my Dive into Diversity posts about young adult books will focus on a different genre each month. I’ll highlight books with characters that represent a range of experiences and identities. I’ll also feature authors who share an aspect of their characters’ identity as much as possible. This month we have the last genre theme for the year: my favorite, YA fantasy. This month I read Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko, which had been on my list for quite a while–so long, in fact, that its sequel was recently published. I had high hopes, and Raybearer exceeded them. The story
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October 22, 2021 9:56 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Dive into Diversity, Fantasy, staff picks, staff recommendations, YA Fiction, and YA literature.

Dive Into Diversity: Food, Family, Friends

Dive Into Diversity: Food, Family, Friends

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. As we delve deeper into the fall and the weather gets chillier, I usually find myself reconnecting with friends and spending time with family around the holidays. I hope you enjoy reading these diverse recommendations that combine all three – food,
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October 21, 2021 2:03 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: books for children, books for kids, children's literature, and Dive into Diversity.

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

The Library is excited to join the free nationwide program, 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten. This program is designed to help caregivers connect and prepare their children for kindergarten by reading together.  Research has demonstrated that reading to children at a young age has a direct positive impact on their cognitive development and later academic success. For a quick, easy-to-read summary of the benefits of reading to babies, see here. Who is it for? Any child may participate from birth until he/she enters kindergarten. You may start the program at any time. The goal of 1,000 books seems daunting, but in
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October 21, 2021 10:00 am | by | 2 Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Evergreen, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: 1000 books before kindergarten and early literacy.

Dive into Diversity: National Diabetes Awareness Month

Dive into Diversity: National Diabetes Awareness Month

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), “Diagnosed cases of type 1 and type 2 diabetes are surging among youth in the United States. From 2001 to 2017, the number of people under age 20 living with type 1 diabetes increased by 45%, and the number living with type 2 diabetes grew by 95%.” According to the article, “New Research Uncovers Concerning Increases in Youth Living with Diabetes in the U.S.,” “The greatest increases in type 2 diabetes prevalence were seen in youth who are Black or Hispanic, and the
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October 21, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's books, children's literature, Dive into Diversity, National Diabetes Awareness Month, Observances and Celebrations, picture books, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

October 2021 LibraryReads

October 2021 LibraryReads

Here are the books published this month that librarians across the country love. All The Feels by Olivia Dade Library Catalog: Print “Alex is an actor on a Game of Thrones-type TV show entering its final season. Lauren’s job is to keep him out of trouble. Their relationship develops over forced proximity, a road trip, and tons of fanfic tropes (only one bed!). This steamy romance, with flawed, genuine characters and sensitive treatment of mental health and body issues, is a delight from start to finish. For fans of Spoiler Alert, Girl Gone Viral, and One To Watch.” —Lauren Mitchell,
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October 19, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, and Library News.
Tags: librarian recommendations, Library Reads, library staff picks, LibraryReads, October LibraryReads, and staff recommendations.

Turtle Dance Music

Turtle Dance Music

Turtle Dance Music presents: Spooky Halloween! A Virtual Music, Bubble and Comedy Show! Thursday, October 21, 11:00 a.m. Children, families, all ages welcome! Access the program here. Note: a free registered Zoom account is required to access the Library’s youth programs. Get a Zoom account here. The Spooky Halloween Show! engages children with comedy, singing, the itsy-bitsy spider, bats, goblins, ghouls, bubbles, music technology and a monster mash dance party for the kids! The show is crafted to be inclusive for children of all abilities and a great time for parents and caregivers. Each song in the 40-minute show is
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October 18, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's events, dance, music, performing arts, trove events, and Turtle Dance Music.

Grab & Go Craft Kits: Learn to Knit

Grab & Go Craft Kits: Learn to Knit

Teens in grades 7-12 can pick up a kit with project supplies at the Library, then follow along with the video below to make the project. Or, you can find the materials around your home and follow the video to make the project. Kits are first come, first served, and will become available on Monday, October 18th in the Library lobby. This month's kit contains everything you need to learn to knit. The kit contains knitting needles and yarn. The goal with this kit is to complete the garter stitch square swatch. I’ve already done the cast-on and the first
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October 18, 2021 9:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: crafting, crafts, Grab & Go kits, Grab&Go Kits, knitting, and teen volunteers.

NaNoWriMo: November Writing Time Reminder

NaNoWriMo: November Writing Time Reminder

Are you a middle schooler or teenager who loves to write? Is writing the best way you can express yourself? If so, then you should join our NaNoWrimo (National Novel Writing Month) program. In September and October we brainstormed ideas, learned about conflict and worked on character sketches and writing prompts. If you missed our writing sessions for the months of September and October you can still sign up for our November writing sessions. This program is for anyone in grades 4-12 who is looking for some quiet time to write. Each week we will set an hour to write
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October 15, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: creative writing, NaNoWriMo, and National Novel Writing Month.

Fall Stories & Stuff

Fall Stories & Stuff

We’re excited to announce that our popular program, Stories & Stuff, will be returning virtually in September and October! Stories & Stuff is geared towards kids from ages 4-8. During Stories & Stuff, stories are centered around a theme and children listen and discuss the topic. The children create a craft project that ties in with the theme. We ask that caregivers join the virtual program as well to assist their children during the craft portion of the storytime. Stories & Stuff will be held on Thursday, September 30th as well as Thursday, October 28th and the program begins at
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October 14, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's events in White Plains, crafts for children, crafts for kids, Stories & Stuff, Stories and Stuff, storytime for ages 4-8, storytime for children, storytime for kids, 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. My last Peculiar Picks featured two girls who befriended dragons, but that was just scratching the surface of the many wonderful picture books with dragons. In this Peculiar Picks, find some fantastic draconic reads, that all share a similar quality: absolutely amazing artwork. If you like dragons, perhaps you’d like to check out some other Monster-rific Reads – there’s
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October 14, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's books, dragons, Peculiar Picks, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Great Podcasts for Kids 5

Great Podcasts for Kids 5

Here are some more Great Podcasts for Kids on a variety of topics and themes selected by Josh Carlson, Manager of Youth Services. All of these should be available on any service you use to listen to podcasts, such as Apple Podcasts, Apple Music, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, etc. Be sure to also check out earlier entries in the series and if you have some great podcast recommendations of your own, leave them in the comments below! Podcast Potpourri Greeking Out From National Geographic Kids, Greeking Out is all about Greek mythology, told in a very funny, kid-friendly, style. My
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October 13, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Great Podcasts, Great Podcasts for Kids, podcasts, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Tiny Tales: Big Pumpkin

Tiny Tales: Big Pumpkin

Welcome to our new series of Tiny Tales videos! 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 all of our Tiny Tales videos, including the thirty six videos in the previous series, right here! Today’s video features Trove librarian Ms. Raquel presenting “Big Pumpkin.” Tiny Tales are made possible with support from the White Plains Library Foundation.
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October 5, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: halloween, library storytime recording, library storytime video, Observances and Celebrations, 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.

Books to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Books to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Check out these staff selected titles to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month this year: Children: Sonia Sotomayor: a judge grows in the Bronx = la juez que creció en el Bronx By Winter Jonah Library Collection OverDrive & Libby Before Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor took her seat in our nation's highest court, she was just a little girl in the South Bronx. Justice Sotomayor didn't have a lot growing up, but she had what she needed — her mother's love, a will to learn, and her own determination. With bravery she became the person she wanted to be. With hard
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October 4, 2021 2:45 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, and Library News.
Tags: hispanic authors, Hispanic Heritage Month, latino authors, Observances and Celebrations, staff picks, and staff recommendations.