Archives for Featured

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.

Summer Reading Game Kick Off

Summer Reading Game Kick Off

The Library’s annual Summer Reading game starts today, Monday, July 6 and will run through Friday, August 14! Due to the impact of COVID-19 on services, the Summer Reading Game will be completely online this year via the READsquared platform, the READsquared website, or the READsquared app, available for iOS and Android. Get Started! Register and login to READsquared. Individual youth participants can register as themselves, or parents and caregivers can register all of their children at one time. This allows for the adult to also log reading and activities. Once registered, choose and join the appropriate Summer Reading Game
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July 6, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: children, families, summer reading, summer reading game, summer reading lists, teens, The Edge, and The Trove.

STEAM at Home: How Much Candy Do You Eat?

STEAM at Home: How Much Candy Do You Eat?

Have your parents ever asked you how much candy you’ve eaten after seeing you empty a bag? Today you will learn how to calculate that amount into cubic centimeters, which should be enough to confuse them and get them off of your back. Materials: Bag of M&Ms Measuring cup in milliliters (mL) Clay or bread Ruler with centimeters (CM) Paper, pencil, and calculator Measure Volume: We are going to take three measurements to find the Volume. 1st Measurement: Water Count out 100 M&Ms. Fill your measuring cup to 100mL with water. Poor your M&Ms into the water and write down
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July 6, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: STEAM, STEAM activities, STEAM at home, STEM, and videos.

Documenting COVID-19: County Courthouse Flags

Documenting COVID-19: County Courthouse Flags

Photos and text submitted by Helen Jonsen, Director of Public Information, Westchester County District Attorney's Office. April 15, 2020–On a clear windy day, flags few at half-staff in White Plains to salute those who have died of Covid-19 in New York State. Photos were taken on the plaza of the Richard J. Daronco Westchester County Courthouse. Also on the plaza is a memorial to police officers who have died in the line of duty. At one angle, it looked like the statue was joining the flags in remembrance. There was silence save for the pinging of the hooks on the
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July 3, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: covid-19, COVID19, Documenting COVID-19, photo, Westchester County Courthouse, and white plains.

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, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: book recommendations, Brian Selznick, children's books, Peculiar Picks, picture books, and staff picks.

STEAM at Home: Meteor Watch Day

STEAM at Home: Meteor Watch Day

Sky gazing can be a fun experience-whether you are outside in your backyard, camping or simply looking up at the sky. You can start by becoming familiar with the constellations in the sky-such as The Big Dipper (which for me is the easiest to spot). There are also some wonderful free apps that you can use on your phone to become better at sky gazing. According to NASA “a meteor is a space rock—or meteoroid—that enters Earth's atmosphere. As the space rock falls toward Earth, the resistance—or drag—of the air on the rock makes it extremely hot. What we see
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July 1, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Meteor Watch Day, meteors, NASA, Observances and Celebrations, STEAM, STEAM activities, STEAM at home, and STEM.

Parenting in a Pandemic: Siblings

Parenting in a Pandemic: Siblings

During this coronavirus pandemic, both parents of one child and those of multiple children are struggling. As a parent of only one child, it is a struggle as he constantly demands attention and/or a playmate. Obviously playmates are in short supply and I do have to work so that makes it tough for both of us. But what I’d like to talk about today is the struggles for parents of two or more children. While it is true that our only children may be jealous of those that have siblings to play with during this time of staying at home,
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July 1, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: parenting, parenting tips, and Siblings.

International Day of Friendship: Picture Books

International Day of Friendship: Picture Books

On April 27, 2011, the General Assembly of the United Nations officially established July 30th as International Friendship Day. The United Nations’ website writes regarding International Friendship Day that, “Our world faces many challenges, crises and forces of division — such as poverty, violence, and human rights abuses — among many others — that undermine peace, security, development and social harmony among the world's peoples.To confront those crises and challenges, their root causes must be addressed by promoting and defending a shared spirit of human solidarity that takes many forms — the simplest of which is friendship.” To celebrate International
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June 30, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: books, children, children's literature, Dive into Diversity, families, International Friendship Day, and Observances and Celebrations.

International Day of Friendship: YA Fiction

International Day of Friendship: YA Fiction

In honor of the International Day of Friendship on July 30, I read When You Were Everything by Ashley Woodfolk, a new release that I’d been looking for an excuse to read. Somewhat ironically, the friendship at the heart of this book actually goes up in flames… but its true value becomes painfully clear through its absence. High school sophomores Cleo and Layla have been best friends for years. But when Layla realizes her dream of joining the school choir and gains a new group of friends, Cleo’s left behind. Flashbacks reveal the initially subtle rift in the girls’ friendship
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June 30, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: children, children's literature, Dive into Diversity, International Friendship Day, Observances and Celebrations, staff picks, staff recommendations, teens, and YA Fiction.

International Day of Friendship: Chapter Books

International Day of Friendship: Chapter Books

International Friendship Day is celebrated every year on July 30th. This day is for thinking about your friendships that are really important to you and cherishing those individuals. Friends come in all shapes and sizes – they can be classmates or family members. Take some time this summer to read about friendships and hopefully find a chance to reconnect with some of your friends! To Night Owl From Dogfish by Holly Goldberg Sloan and Meg Wolitzer For children in grades 4-6. OverDrive: Audiobook and eBook Avery Bloom and Bett Delvin are two extremely different twelve-year-olds. Avery is bookish as well
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June 30, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: books, children, children's literature, Dive into Diversity, International Friendship Day, Observances and Celebrations, staff picks, staff recommendations, and The Trove.

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, Featured, 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.

STEAM at Home: Pop-Up Card

STEAM at Home: Pop-Up Card

This week for STEAMonday we made a pop-up card for a belated Father’s Day Gift. But you can make these for any occasion. Here’s what you need: 2 or 3 pieces of paper – preferably thicker paper than regular printer paper or notebook paper. Glue Stick Scissors Markers Other decorations You can make your own pop-up designs or use the ones I found here. Getting started: Take a piece of paper and fold it horizontally (landscape). At the fold side cut 3 tabs. Cut in six, 1.5”, slits along the fold. Then open the paper and fold your tabs into
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June 29, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: STEAM, STEAM activities, STEAM at home, STEM, and videos.

Summersgiving

Summersgiving

Summersgiving is a new holiday that can be celebrated the first Saturday after the summer solstice. To make this tradition a special holiday, you can try cooking a meal that welcomes the summer solstice, such as an old family recipe or a meal that celebrates a different culture. Here is my vegetarian interpretation on the Persian split pea soup- Khoresh Gheymeh. Hoopla Resources: Salsa, written by Jorge Argueta, and illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh, is a bilingual treat. The book is poetic and introduces children to Latin American culture and vocabulary words such as molcajetes (an authentic lava stone used in
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June 24, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's books, Observances and Celebrations, staff picks, and Summersgiving.

STEAM at Home: Fairy Garden

STEAM at Home: Fairy Garden

I have always had a fascination with fairies and pixies. I remember reading about them as a child and wondering if fairies exist. The lore, myth and legends of fairies have also captured the heart of millions of people. To celebrate International Fairy Day, June 24th, I decided to play around with a variety of objects to create a fairy garden. Working on a fairy garden will stir the imagination and allow you to access your inner child. If you have children, working on a fairy garden can be a fun way to spend time outdoors. If you don’t have
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June 23, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children, Fairy Day, Observances and Celebrations, STEAM, STEAM activities, STEAM at home, and STEM.