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STEAM at Home: Beach Activities

STEAM at Home: Beach Activities

One of the great things about summer is spending time outdoors and getting some sun. This summer is different as we are restricted in our social interactions, traveling, and vacationing due to COVID-19. However, there are still a few fun activities that can be done safely. The beach is a wonderful place to relax, read a book, swim, and play in the sand. According to NBC news, “spending time by the ocean is pretty good for your wellbeing.” Also, did you know that “the smell of the ocean breeze contributes to your soothed state, which may have something to do
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July 29, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: STEAM, STEAM activities, STEAM at home, and STEM.

STEAM at Home: Cereal Box Maze

STEAM at Home: Cereal Box Maze

Today we are going to make a labyrinth or maze out of cereal boxes. “But I don’t eat cereal, Erik.” That’s ok, you can use any type of cardboard for this. Materials: 2 Cereal boxes (or any type of shallow cardboard box) equal in size Lots of straws Glue Tape Extra cardboard Toilet paper or paper towel rolls Something to punch holes with; an awl, drill bit Scissors and/or exacto knife Random stuff from around your home to use as obstacles Small marble or ball of some sort (nothing too light) Marker or colored pencils Decorations: stickers, colorful paper, wrapping
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July 28, 2020 12:20 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: STEAM, STEAM activities, STEAM at home, STEM, and videos.

Summer Reading Highlights: Chapter Books

Summer Reading Highlights: 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. Stella Díaz Has Something to Say by Angela Dominguez For children in grades 3-5. OverDrive: eBook Stella Díaz is in third grade and has been feeling a little lonely since her best friend Jenny is in a different class this year.
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July 28, 2020 11:15 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: books, children, children's literature, Dive into Diversity, staff picks, staff recommendations, summer reading, summer reading highlights, summer reading list, and The Trove.

2020 Summer Reading Game

2020 Summer Reading Game

The Library's 2020 Summer Reading Game kicks off Monday, July 6 and runs through Friday, August 14! With limited access to the library building this summer, we’re taking our Summer Reading Game completely online. Instead of visiting the Trove or the Edge, you’ll track your reading on the READsquared platform. Visit the READsquared website or download the app to create a free account and get started.  See below for more information on getting started with READsquared.  Note: You can register in READsquared now and sign up for the Summer Reading Game, however not all features will be live until July
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July 28, 2020 10:04 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: books, children, families, reading, reading program, summer programs, summer reading, summer reading game, and teens.

White Plains Summer Reading Lists

White Plains Summer Reading Lists

Around this time of year, we’re usually busy buying and unpacking boxes of books to support the summer reading lists from the White Plains Public Schools. This year, we’re not sure when we’ll be able to order or receive those boxes of books. Instead, we’re offering digital versions of this year’s summer reading recommendations. We ask that everyone be mindful of an important difference between physical books and digital books. Paperbacks and eBooks check out the same way: a book can only be checked out to one person at a time. But eBooks are often four–or even six–times more expensive
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July 28, 2020 10:03 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: children, children's literature, reading, school reading lists, summer reading, summer reading lists, and teens.

Family Fun Fridays

Family Fun Fridays

Starting on Friday, July 10, the Library will be offering a great program for children and families every Friday morning at 11:00 a.m.! These programs will take place in Zoom, links below. July 10: The Turtle Dance Music Virtual Concert: A Music, Bubble and Comedy Show Wonderful classic and original children’s songs and tales. The show engages children with songs, comedy, bubbles, and music technology. It is designed to be a fun, unique way to meet new friends that you might not have met before. Join us for this novel 40-minute performance which will be accompanied by visual and sensory
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July 28, 2020 10:01 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's events, edge events, family events, Family Fun Fridays, performances, summer programs, summer reading, teen events, The Trove, and trove events.

Summer Reading Highlights: YA Fiction

Summer Reading Highlights: YA Fiction

This summer, there is no single required title on the middle and high school reading lists. Instead, teachers and school librarians have collaborated to come up with several great book recommendations for each grade level. It’s clear that they prioritized titles written by a diverse group of authors and featuring a wide range of characters. With such a variety of titles, everyone will be able to find a book they’ll like. Below, I’ve highlighted my favorite book from the recommendations for each grade level. In addition to being available through the school system’s Sora app, these titles are also available
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July 28, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Dive into Diversity, Observances and Holidays, staff picks, staff recommendations, summer reading, summer reading highlights, teens, and YA Fiction.

Summer Reading Highlights: Pre-K to 6th Grade

Summer Reading Highlights: Pre-K to 6th Grade

White Plains is a wonderfully diverse community! With that in mind, the Trove’s suggested Summer Reading Lists strive to reflect and recognize all the young patrons of the community by highlighting noteworthy diverse titles and series. An excellent resource to explore even more great titles for kids and teens as well is We Need Diverse Books.Org whose vision is to promote “a world in which all children see themselves in the pages of a book.” The following titles are just a few from the recommended Summer Reading List books that showcase the many different experiences of young people: Pre-K/Kindergarten: Julián
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July 28, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Dive into Diversity, staff picks, staff recommendations, summer reading, summer reading highlights, and summer reading list.

Documenting COVID-19: Uplifting Rocks

Documenting COVID-19: Uplifting Rocks

Photo and text submitted by Ro Munns on May 30, 2020. An anonymous White Plains resident painted “uplifting rocks” and sprinkled them around WP neighborhoods. When people were out walking they could see and enjoy them. I saw this one on Mamaroneck Ave not far from my home. It certainly helped to put things back into perspective! Submit your own experience.
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July 24, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: community art, covid-19, COVID19, Documenting COVID-19, photo, and white plains.

Parenting in a Pandemic: Mom Rage

Parenting in a Pandemic: Mom Rage

Today’s column is one of the most real ones I will write. Why? Because I am writing out of extreme frustration. When my colleague sent me this New York Times article, before I even read it, I felt heard. Moms, read it! Share our mutual frustrations. So why the mom rage? Well, let’s see. So far, while I tried to work this morning, my son has made a mess eating in the family room that he knows is off limits for food. Fast forward another thirty minutes. In the middle of an online session with his special education teacher, he
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July 22, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: mom rage, parenting, parenting in a pandemic, and parents.

Great Graphic Novels for Kids: Part 2

Great Graphic Novels for Kids: Part 2

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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July 22, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: graphic novels, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

STEAM at Home: Paper Bridge Challenge

STEAM at Home: Paper Bridge Challenge

This week’s STEAM At Home project is the paper bridge challenge. You can use only 1 piece of paper, (printer paper not card stock or construction paper) to build a bridge that will hold 100 pennies. Materials: 1 sheet of paper 100 pennies (or more) 2 objects equal in height (books, tissue boxes, pieces of wood), that are at least 2” high Instructions: Set your 2 objects about 9” apart, you don’t want them too close, that would be cheating. Make a bridge that covers the expanse and start adding pennies. See how many pennies you can add before the
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July 20, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: STEAM, STEAM activities, STEAM at home, STEM, and videos.

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. It’s summer. It’s hot. The Sun is shining. But, what IS that big ball of gas and flame that makes the summer hot and bright? Having read both of the following books with my daughter, I can attest that they are hilarious, informative, and will hold both your child’s attention and yours, while you learn all about the Sun.
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July 16, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: book recommendations, children's books, Nick Seluk, Peculiar Picks, picture books, Stacy McAnulty, staff picks, and They Might Be Giants.

STEAM at Home: Origami Helicopters

STEAM at Home: Origami Helicopters

One STEAM activity that is easy and fun to do at home is creating an origami helicopter. Kids loved this activity, and all you need is origami paper (if you don’t have origami paper, try using regular paper.) Materials: Origami paper or regular paper Ruler (with centimeters) Scissors Pencil Paperclip To make an origami helicopter, gather your materials and follow along with this Youtube video. Cut the paper with these measurements as a guideline: three centimeters across and twenty-one centimeters down. You’ll make a series of folds and cuts in the paper, as outlined in the video. After you have
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July 15, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: STEAM, STEAM activities, STEAM at home, STEM, and videos.

Summer Read, Watch, & Listen List

Summer Read, Watch, & Listen List

We asked our staff to pick two books or films that they recently enjoyed or are looking forward to enjoying this summer. Below is a list of wide ranging recommendations for adults. Books American Assassin by Vince Flynn This is a fast paced book about American operatives in the Middle East and the training of a select few who become American Assassins. A great summer read because the story is intriguing while not being overly complicated. Flynn does a great job of bringing all of the characters to life. For those who like the theme of Read the Book, See
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July 15, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: staff picks, staff recommendations, and summer reading list.

STEAM at Home: Paper Airplanes

STEAM at Home: Paper Airplanes

Paper airplanes are fun to make, but have you ever tried to recreate the world record paper airplane for flying the farthest, 226’ 10”? You can follow the instructions by John Collins to fold this amazing paper airplane. This is a mix of origami and aeronautics. Follow the instructions in my video to fold the plane. You can also watch the record breaking flight here. Paper airplanes that fly far are fun, but have you ever made a paper airplane that boomerangs back to you? The second part of my video follows the instructions of YouTuber TriKdanG, who made a
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July 13, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: STEAM, STEAM activities, STEAM at home, STEM, and video.

Documenting COVID-19: PBA Volunteers

Documenting COVID-19: PBA Volunteers

Photo and text submitted by Paul Schwarz, MOWWP Board President. In March, at the beginning of the pandemic crisis, we had a knock at the door of our office at Meals on Wheels of White Plains. We were surprised to find two members of the White Plains police force. “Don't worry,” they said. “We're here as the PBA and we want to know if you need help.” Weeks later, as more and more of our volunteers declined to go out, we took them up on their offer. At the height of the crisis, for several weeks in May, members of
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July 10, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: covid-19, COVID19, Documenting COVID-19, Meals on Wheels, PBA, and white plains.

Amazing Audiobooks for Kids: Part 2

Amazing Audiobooks for Kids: Part 2

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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July 8, 2020 10:00 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.