Archives for Homepage Kids

Browsing to be Suspended, Grab & Go Continues

Browsing to be Suspended, Grab & Go Continues

In response to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Westchester County, the Library is suspending browsing in the building. This means there will be no access to our first floor collections or the Trove beginning Friday, November 27. We will continue to offer our Grab & Go pickup service in our vestibule as well as reference services via phone, text, and email. Our online programs and services remain unaffected. Mobile HotSpots and Museum Passes will still be available and must be reserved at least one day in advance of your pickup date. To reserve either, please call (914) 422-1400.
Read More

November 24, 2020 4:00 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Director's Corner, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: building update, closures, coronavirus, covid-19, COVID19, library services, and library update.

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. There are many, many versions of The Three Little Pigs — from traditional retellings, to ones with other animals such as fish and sharks, to ones with other things like trucks or tamales, to, of course, several versions that tell how badly the wolf was maligned in the original tale. This being Peculiar Picks, however, I wanted to pick
Read More

November 19, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's books, children's literature, Peculiar Picks, picture books, and The Trove.

December Coding Programs

December Coding Programs

The Library will be celebrating The Hour of Code (December 7-13) by offering a variety of coding programs and resources for parents, caregivers, and children. The Hour of Code is observed during Computer Science Education Week, as it honors the life of computer pioneer Admiral Grace Hooper (born on December 9, 1906). We will be conducting programs such as Tech for Parents: Coding Resources, binary coding, and Code Heroes Camp (grades 6-8). Along with these fun virtual activities we will also have a binary bead Grab&Go bag kit (grades 4-8) available to pick up on December 28th. Please feel free
Read More

November 19, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: binary code, coding, Computer Science Education Week, events, Observances and Celebrations, STEAM, STEAM learning, technology, and The Hour of Code.

New 3D Printer and Design Workshop

New 3D Printer and Design Workshop

In March 2020, at the very onset of the COVID crisis when healthcare workers needed PPE, the Library donated its two 3D printers to a “mask farm” at Riverside Hospital in Yonkers. Thanks to our partnership with Con Edison, we’ve been able to replace both of the printers and expand printing programs and services at the Library. Our newest acquisition is a Prusa SL1 3D printer, our first SLA printer. SLA (stereolithography) printing is fairly new to desktop 3D printing. The process uses a liquid resin and solidifies it layer by layer using UV light and an LED display making
Read More

November 19, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: 3D design, 3D printer, 3d printing, Con Edison, edge events, events, kids, middle grade, teens, and trove events.

It’s Cookie Time! Staff Recipes & Cookbooks

It’s Cookie Time! Staff Recipes & Cookbooks

With holidays coming up, it’s the perfect time to think about cookies. While you might not be able to hold your usual cookie swaps this year, we thought we would take the time to share some well-loved family recipes from our staff in the hopes that it would inspire you to try out new recipes. Whether you're baking for yourself, your family, or sending goodies to loved ones, let us know what recipes you're making this year. Comment below, or tag us on Instagram at @whiteplainslibrary, or use the hashtag #WPPLcooks on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Below you'll find a
Read More

November 18, 2020 10:54 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, COVID-19, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: cookbooks, cookies, cooking, holidays, recipes, staff picks, staff recommendations, and virtual cookie swap.

Upcoming Kids & Tweens Book Discussions

Upcoming Kids & Tweens Book Discussions

We’re excited to announce a few upcoming book discussions we’re hosting for kids and tweens! We’ll be having another virtual Project LIT Kids Book Discussion on Wednesday, January 13th at 4:30 p.m. We’ll be reading New Kid by Jerry Craft. Children in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade are invited to join us for a discussion as well as a trivia game. Please use this link to register! You can place a hold on the print book using our catalog here. If you prefer the eBook, you can find it on Hoopla or OverDrive. This book is also available as an
Read More

November 18, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Book Discussion, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.

Creative Writing for Middle Grades

Creative Writing for Middle Grades

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is celebrated every November and encourages writers of all ages to pledge to write 50,000 words, or a novel, in one month. In the spirit of encouraging creative writing, White Plains Public Library will present a series of virtual creative writing sessions for children grades 4-8 at 4 p.m on Wednesdays November 4th, 18th and 25th. Instead of focusing on a specific word count, or finishing an entire novel, we will dive into the structure of stories, have fun with fanfiction, discuss personal experience with NaNoWriMo and provide free writing time using fun prompts as
Read More

November 16, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: creative writing, NaNoWriMo, trove events, virtual events, writing workshop, and youth writing workshop.

Fall 2020 Events for Younger Kids

Fall 2020 Events for Younger Kids

Trove Storytimes Storytimes for ages 2-6 with Trove Librarians – books, songs and fun! Note: The format may be changing as we move forward, so stay tuned for updates. Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m.: October 20, November 10, November 17, November 24, Thursdays, 11:00 a.m.: November 19, December 17 Storybook Dancing with Steffi Nossen School of Dance A creative, movement-filled program for ages 2-6 to hear stories and then dance them to life! Thursdays, 10:00 a.m.: October 8, October 22, November 5, December 3 Bilingual Music Time Nancy Hershatter presents a fun-filled musical bilingual program for kids in PreK-Grade 2. Fridays, 11:00
Read More

November 16, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's events, dance, fall 2020, kids, live music, music, performances, programs, storytime, The Trove, trove, and trove events.

Reads Revisited: The Trumpet of the Swan

Reads Revisited: The Trumpet of the Swan

Reads Revisited is a blog series where Trove and Edge Librarians revisit some of their favorite childhood stories. In today's column, Edge Librarian Kathlyn Carroll revisits The Trumpet of the Swan (Catalog) by E. B. White. I was so excited when Ashley came up with the idea for this series of blog posts re-examining a favorite childhood book. I immediately thought of Trumpet of the Swan by E. B. White, which I read over and over again in early elementary school. I was a serial re-reader; on trips to the school media center, my second grade teacher began requiring me
Read More

November 16, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's books, children's literature, E. B. White, Reads Revisited, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Grab&Go: Tripod Catapult

Grab&Go: Tripod Catapult

STEAM Monday has been phased into Grab ‘n Go Craft Kits! Instead of finding material around your home, you can pick those materials up from the Library, then follow along with an instructional video for making a project. Our first project is a Tripod Catapult. You can pick up the materials with instructions from the Library and use the video to follow along. Or you can find the materials around your home and follow the video to make the project. How Is This Working? The most important part of a catapult is it’s base. For this catapult we made a
Read More

November 10, 2020 2:58 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Grab and Go Kits, Grab&Go Kits, STEAM, STEAM learning, and tutorials.

Grab&Go Kits

Grab&Go Kits

The Library will now feature a variety of Grab&Go Kits that families can take home to enjoy. Librarians in the Trove and Edge are compiling several types of kits that will provide families with wonderful opportunities to unplug and engage in activities that stir the imagination and provide at-home learning and fun. Kits will be available in our lobby while supplies last. In October and November we will begin regularly offering the following kits for pick up on a varied schedule. The first day a kit will be available to pick up will be marked in our online calendar. Once
Read More

November 10, 2020 10:00 am | by | 6 Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: activities, arts & crafts, at home learning, Grab&Go Kits, STEAM, STEAM at home, and STEAM kits.

Virtual Chess Club

Virtual Chess Club

During the past few months, the Library has launched a group for all youth interested in the game of chess. It is a chance for children and teens, stuck at home, to play the game they love and also an opportunity to learn strategy and discuss tactics. With the Lichess platform, available on smartphones and computers, participants can play matches with one another and participate in group challenges. Players of all levels are welcome to join in on the fun! Join the Library Chess Club by attending any of the following sessions: Thursday 10/22/2020 5:00 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. Register
Read More

November 9, 2020 5:06 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: chess club and virtual chess club.

Hoopla Bonus Borrows

Hoopla Bonus Borrows

Due to popular demand, Hoopla Bonus Borrows are back for the month of November, starting November 1 and running through November 30! How it works: When you borrow a Bonus Borrows title during the month of November you will be debited ZERO borrows from your monthly hoopla borrows. In addition to these titles, you will also continue to have access to hoopla's full collection of over 950,000 eBooks, audiobooks, movies, TV shows, music, comics, and more. The collection will be free from 11/1/20 to 11/30/20. Click here to view the entire Bonus Borrows collection. Read on below for some staff
Read More

November 4, 2020 1:13 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: book recommendations, film recommendations, hoopla, hoopla Bonus Borrows, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Stamped Book Discussions for Children and Teens

Stamped Book Discussions for Children and Teens

This fall, join the Youth Services department for a series of events surrounding the Library’s city-wide reading initiative, One Book, One White Plains. We'll be reading Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi. The book is available in regular print, large print, and CD audiobook from our physical collection and as a digital audiobook and eBook from OverDrive and Libby. To give teens more time to read the book, we've postponed our teen book discussion of Stamped. The book club has been rescheduled for Monday, November 9th, at 4:30 p.m. We’ll discuss the book and
Read More

November 2, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Book Discussion, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Antiracism, book discussion, book group, Ibram X. Kendi, Jason Reynolds, One Book One White Plains, Racism, Sachi Feris, and teen book club.

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
Read More

October 29, 2020 12:06 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Español, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Day of the Dead, Dia de los Muertos, and photos.

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. Annually, in order to raise cancer awareness, No-Shave November takes place. “The goal of No-Shave November is to grow awareness by embracing our hair, which many cancer patients lose, and letting it grow wild and free. Donate the money you typically spend on shaving and grooming to educate about cancer prevention, save lives, and aid those fighting the battle.”
Read More

October 29, 2020 11:37 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's books, children's literature, No Shave November, Observances and Celebrations, Peculiar Picks, picture books, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Reads Revisited

Reads Revisited

Reads Revisited is a blog series where Trove and Edge Librarians revisit some of their favorite childhood stories. In today's column, Manager of Youth Services Josh Carlson revisits The House with the Clock In Its Walls (Catalog / OverDrive) and The Curse of the Blue Figurine (Catalog / OverDrive) by John Bellairs. Before I started reading, I spent some time thinking about my memories of these books. In my mind, they feel like they were important in my childhood in some way. I remember them spooky, fun and filled with adventure. I couldn’t put them down. As a rule, I
Read More

October 29, 2020 11:03 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's books, children's literature, Edward Gorey, John Bellairs, Reads Revisited, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Native American Folklore

Native American Folklore

November is the month we set aside to celebrate and to reflect on the wisdom, humor, lore and beauty of our First Nations. Join us as we celebrate Native American Heritage Month. Chia and the Fox Man, by Barbara J. Atwater. (Picture Book & OverDrive) How Raven Got His Crooked Nose, by Barbara J. Atwater. (J 398 A & OverDrive) Rabbit’s Snow Dance, by James & Joseph Bruchac. (Picture Book & OverDrive) Many Nations: an Alphabet of Native America, by Joseph Bruchac. (Alphabet) Raccoon’s Last Race: a Traditional Abenaki Story, by Joseph Bruchac. (J 398 B) The Story of the
Read More

October 28, 2020 4:36 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, Library News, and Uncategorized.
Tags: folklore, National Native American Heritage Month, Native American Heritage Month, Observances and Celebrations, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Noteworthy Native American Nonfiction Titles for Children

Noteworthy Native American Nonfiction Titles for Children

Native American Heritage Month is celebrated in November and is dedicated to highlighting the history, culture, traditions, and contributions Native Americans have made and continue to make to the U.S. Highlighted in this blog are noteworthy nonfiction titles for children in grades K-6 on notable Native Americans, and Indigenous history and culture. For further reading, I highly recommend as a premier resource for information and critical analysis of Indigenous peoples in children’s and YA books, Dr. Debbie Reese’s blog, American Indians in Children’s Literature (AICL). My blogs have been highlighting the diversity found in our country’s monthly celebrations, but will
Read More

October 27, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: books, children's books, children's literature, Dive into Diversity, National Native American Heritage Month, Native American Heritage Month, nonfiction, Observances and Celebrations, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Native American Heritage Month: Chapter Books

Native American Heritage Month: 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. Indian No More by Charlene Willing McManis with Traci Sorell For children in grades 4-7. Library Collection: Print OverDrive: eBook For all of her life, eight-year-old Regina Petit and her family have lived on the Indian reservation at Grand Ronde. They
Read More

October 27, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: chapter books, children's books, children's literature, Dive into Diversity, National Native American Heritage Month, Native American Heritage Month, Observances and Celebrations, staff picks, and staff recommendations.